Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not applicable.  
       FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable.  
       SEQUENCE LISTING  
       [0003]     Not applicable.  
       BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0004]     This invention relates to infant feeding bottles, and particularly to those of a type used with powdered milk.  
       BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART  
       [0005]     In a commonly used arrangement for bottle-feeding infants, the bottle is filled with water, to which powdered milk is added only when the baby is to be fed. That way, especially during car trips or visits away from home, or on other occasions when refrigeration may not be available for many hours at a time, the baby can be fed at any time without worrying about whether the milk has spoiled. Many hours can pass between bottle preparation and the feeding of the baby, without requiring refrigeration of the bottle.  
         [0006]     When feeding time arrives, the nipple is removed from the bottle, a measured amount of powder is added to the water through the now-open mouth of the bottle, the nipple is reinstalled, and the bottle is shaken to mix the contents.  
         [0007]     In such arrangements, the powder is generally stored in a can or in a similar container, often with a measuring spoon or scoop supplied within the same container. The can or other container may be carried, along with one or more water-filled bottles. Just before a feeding, the scoop is used to measure the proper amount of powder to add to the bottle contents.  
         [0008]     A can of powdered milk is somewhat heavy and bulky to carry away from home. Accordingly, smaller containers for milk powder have been provided which are washable and refillable. A known design has three chambers, each separately openable and each carrying a measure of powdered milk suitable for a single bottle. However, such a container still must be carried separate and apart from the bottles, and additional inconveniences arise when the number of bottles to be used does not match the number of storage chambers in the container, especially when the number of bottles exceed the number of storage chambers.  
         [0009]     In applications where a formula prepared by mixing two constituents has a short shelf-life or where the quantities, quality or sterility of the constituents is an important consideration in the preparation of the formula, a single container which could separately store the two constituents until the mixed formula is to be dispensed, permit the two constituents to be mixed in the container and permit the mixed formula to be dispensed from the container would be useful.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,155 to Gordon et al. (1995) discloses a protective nipple cover with a chamber for storing a measured amount of powder for the bottle to be mixed when needed; however, the powder is stored externally to the bottle. The bottle must be opened to add the powder, thus exposing the contents of the bottle to accidental contamination. It also requires two hands and the caregiver&#39;s full attention to add the powder without spilling either the water or the powder.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,045,254 to Inbar et al. (1997), 6,575,208 to Igal et al. (2001), and patent application 20010039977 to Igal et al. (2001) all disclose a complex bottle having two chambers, one that can hold water and another that can hold powder. A rotating displaceable partition between the two chambers allows the components to mix. The two chambers are integral parts of the bottle, requiring the caregiver to purchase the bottle as a unit, made more expensive by the numerous and complex moving parts. This does not allow the caregiver to take advantage of bottles already in their possession. Furthermore, it is designed for pre-packaged single use. The bottle assembly, with its numerous parts and required tolerances, would impede proper washing and extra care would be needed to ensure that all surfaces and crevices are completely cleansed after each use should the caretaker attempt to reuse the disposable bottle.  
         [0012]     Several other types of two chambered bottles have been proposed for seemingly industrial purposes—for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,644 to Gueret (1995), and patent applications 20020066677 and 20020066679, both (2001) to Moscovitz. Each involves a complex bottle or apparatus unsuited to administering infant formula.  
         [0013]     Inserts for baby bottles have been proposed for purposes unrelated to storing and releasing infant formula. U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,242 to Marte (1989) shows a fixed insert that releases medicines or vitamins at a slow rate into the nipple as the infant nurses on a pre-mixed formula. Marte&#39;s insert does not have a sealed chamber to store material; the material constantly communicates with the liquid contents.  
         [0014]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,951 to Blum (2000) shows a fixed insert that allows the infant to nurse regardless of the bottle orientation. It is not designed for storing and releasing a substance.  
         [0015]     Pre-measuring infant powder and water, storing them separately until needed, and the ability to mix the components quickly with a minimum of complexity, handling, attention, chance of contamination or spilling, cleanup, and waste due to single use, while utilizing the bottles, collars, and nipples already in possession, are desirable objectives. None of the above proposals provide an acceptable solution.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     A reusable bottle insert that stores a pre-measured amount of infant formula inside a feeding bottle also having a pre-measured amount of water and allows the powder and water to mix when desired.  
         [0017]     The bottle and insert can be prepared ahead of time in anticipation of a later need. This allows the caregiver to prepare the bottle in a more controlled environment, facilitating cleanliness and accurate measurements.  
         [0018]     The insert containing the powder resides inside the bottle and releases the powder into the water when a force external to the bottle is applied. This allows the bottle to remain sealed after preparation, ready for mixing, for as long as the sterility of the environment in which it was prepared allows. As it is not necessary to open the bottle to initiate the mixing, a minimum of handling and attention is required from the caregiver, and a significant opportunity for contamination and spilling is eliminated.  
         [0019]     The insert is inexpensive due to its compatibility with bottles the caregiver already possesses, its reusability, and its few parts. Its simple operation and lack of moving parts will also facilitate its cleaning.  
         [0020]     The bottle insert of the invention fulfills the desired objectives and provides many advantages not present in the prior art. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]     In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes. All sections are vertical through the center.  
         [0022]      FIG. 1A  is an exploded perspective view of a typical prior art feeding bottle, collar, and nipple.  
         [0023]      FIG. 1B  is a section view of a prior art bottle.  
         [0024]      FIG. 1C  is a section view of a prior art nipple.  
         [0025]      FIG. 1D  is a section view of a prior art collar.  
         [0026]      FIG. 1E  is a section view of a prior art nipple mated to a prior art collar.  
         [0027]      FIG. 1F  is a section view of a prior art one-piece nipple.  
         [0028]      FIG. 1G  is a section view of a prior art nipple, collar, and bottle assembly.  
         [0029]      FIG. 1H  is a section view of a prior art protective nipple cover.  
         [0030]      FIG. 1I  is a section view of a prior art protective nipple cover mated with a prior art bottle assembly.  
         [0031]      FIG. 1J  is a detail section view of a prior art protective nipple cover and collar connection.  
         [0032]      FIG. 2A  shows a one-piece embodiment of the container insert in perspective.  
         [0033]      FIG. 2B  is a section view of a one-piece container insert.  
         [0034]      FIG. 2C  is a detail view of a one-piece container insert in perspective.  
         [0035]      FIG. 2D  is a section view of a one-piece container insert filled with a material.  
         [0036]      FIG. 2E  is a section view of a one-piece container insert filled with a material and sealed with a nipple-collar assembly.  
         [0037]      FIG. 2F  is a section view of a one-piece container insert in the storing position.  
         [0038]      FIG. 2G  is a section view of a one-piece container insert in the releasing position.  
         [0039]      FIG. 3A  shows an exploded two-piece embodiment of the container insert in perspective.  
         [0040]      FIG. 3B  is a section view of a two-piece container insert body.  
         [0041]      FIG. 3C  is a detail view of a two-piece container insert body in perspective.  
         [0042]      FIG. 3D  is a section view of an assembled two-piece container insert.  
         [0043]      FIG. 3E  is a detail section view of an assembled two-piece container insert.  
         [0044]      FIG. 3F  is a section view of a two-piece container insert body mated with a nipple-collar assembly.  
         [0045]      FIG. 3G  is a section view of a two-piece container insert body mated with a nipple-collar assembly, inverted, and filled with a material.  
         [0046]      FIG. 3H  is a section view of a two-piece container insert body mated with a nipple-collar assembly, inverted, filled with a material, and sealed with a cap.  
         [0047]      FIG. 3I  is a section view of a two-piece container insert in the storing position.  
         [0048]      FIG. 3J  is a section view of a two-piece container insert in the releasing position.  
         [0049]      FIG. 4A  shows the preferred two-piece container insert, exploded and perspective.  
         [0050]      FIG. 4B  is a section view of the preferred two-piece container insert body.  
         [0051]      FIG. 4C  is a detail view of the preferred two-piece container insert body in perspective.  
         [0052]      FIG. 4D  is a section view of the preferred two-piece container insert assembled.  
         [0053]      FIG. 4E  is a detail section view of the preferred two-piece container insert assembled.  
         [0054]      FIG. 4F  is a section view of the preferred two-piece container insert body mated with a nipple-collar assembly.  
         [0055]      FIG. 4G  is a section view of the preferred two-piece container insert body mated with a nipple-collar assembly, inverted, and filled with a material.  
         [0056]      FIG. 4H  is a section view of the preferred two-piece container insert body mated with a nipple-collar assembly, inverted, filled with a material, and sealed with a cap.  
         [0057]      FIG. 4I  is a section view of the preferred two-piece container insert, filled and mated with a nipple-collar assembly, with a protective nipple cover.  
         [0058]      FIG. 4J  is a section view of the preferred two-piece container insert in the storing position.  
         [0059]      FIG. 4K  is a section view of the preferred two-piece container insert in the intermediate releasing position.  
         [0060]      FIG. 4L  is a section view of the preferred two-piece container insert in the full releasing position.  
         [0061]      FIG. 5A  shows an exploded three-piece embodiment of the container insert in perspective.  
         [0062]      FIG. 5B  is a section view of a three-piece container insert body.  
         [0063]      FIG. 5C  is a detail view of a three-piece container insert body in perspective.  
         [0064]      FIG. 5D  is a detail view of a three-piece container insert sealing member in perspective.  
         [0065]      FIG. 5E  is a section view of an assembled three-piece container insert.  
         [0066]      FIG. 5F  is a detail section view of an assembled three-piece container insert.  
         [0067]      FIG. 5G  is a section view of partially assembled three-piece container insert filled with a material.  
         [0068]      FIG. 5H  is a section view of fully assembled three-piece container insert filled with a material.  
         [0069]      FIG. 5I  is a section view of a three-piece container insert in the storing position.  
         [0070]      FIG. 6A  is a section view in perspective of a one-piece container insert filled and packaged for immediate use.  
         [0071]      FIG. 6B  is a section view in perspective of the preferred container insert filled and packaged for immediate use.  
         [0072]      FIG. 6C  is a section view in perspective of a three-piece container insert filled and packaged for immediate use.  
     
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS  
       [0073]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Prior Art Bottle Elements 
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 bottle 
                   
                   
               
               
                 11 
                 outer wall 
                 12 
                 closed end 
               
               
                 13 
                 open end 
                 14 
                 opening 
               
               
                 15 
                 threads 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Prior Art Nipple Elements 
               
             
          
           
               
                 20 
                 nipple 
                   
                   
               
               
                 21 
                 flange 
                 22 
                 neck 
               
               
                 23 
                 retaining rib 
                 24 
                 closed end 
               
               
                 26 
                 opening 
                 27 
                 cavity 
               
               
                 28 
                 perforations 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Prior Art Collar Elements 
               
             
          
           
               
                 30 
                 collar 
                   
                   
               
               
                 31 
                 side 
                 32 
                 end 
               
               
                 33 
                 opening 
                 34 
                 threads 
               
               
                 35 
                 flange 
                 36 
                 opening 
               
               
                 37 
                 retaining rib 
               
               
                 50 
                 nipple-collar assembly 
                 51 
                 one-piece nipple 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Prior Art Cover Elements 
               
             
          
           
               
                 52 
                 cover 
                   
                   
               
               
                 53 
                 open end 
                 54 
                 opening 
               
               
                 55 
                 closed end 
                 56 
                 recess 
               
               
                 57 
                 side 
                 58 
                 retaining rib 
               
               
                 60 
                 bottle assembly 
               
               
                 61 
                 liquid 
                 62 
                 material 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Common Insert Elements 
               
             
          
           
               
                 70 
                 graduations 
                 71 
                 packaging 
               
               
                 72 
                 castellations 
                 73 
                 rounded corners 
               
               
                 74 
                 sealing member 
                 75 
                 pull tab 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 One Piece Insert Elements 
               
             
          
           
               
                 100 
                 container insert 
                   
                   
               
               
                 101 
                 outer wall 
                 102 
                 closed end 
               
               
                 104 
                 open end 
                 105 
                 opening 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Two Piece Insert Elements 
               
             
          
           
               
                 200 
                 insert body 
                   
                   
               
               
                 201 
                 outer wall 
                 202 
                 open end 
               
               
                 203 
                 opening 
                 204 
                 open end 
               
               
                 205 
                 opening 
                 208 
                 rib 
               
               
                 210 
                 sealing member 
               
               
                 211 
                 side 
                 212 
                 rib 
               
               
                 250 
                 container insert assembly 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Preferred Insert Elements 
               
             
          
           
               
                 300 
                 insert body 
                 301 
                 outer wall 
               
               
                 302 
                 open end 
                 303 
                 opening 
               
               
                 304 
                 open end 
                 305 
                 opening 
               
               
                 308 
                 flange 
                 309 
                 sealing member 
               
               
                 310 
                 sealing member 
                 312 
                 side 
               
               
                 313 
                 flange 
                 314 
                 groove 
               
               
                 315 
                 pushrod 
                 316 
                 bulb 
               
               
                 350 
                 container insert assembly 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Three Piece Insert Elements 
               
             
          
           
               
                 400 
                 insert body 
                   
                   
               
               
                 401 
                 outer wall 
                 403 
                 opening 
               
               
                 406 
                 castellations 
                 408 
                 flange 
               
               
                 410 
                 sealing member 
                 412 
                 side 
               
               
                 413 
                 flange 
                 414 
                 groove 
               
               
                 415 
                 fin 
                 416 
                 castellations 
               
               
                 450 
                 container insert assembly 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0074]     For readiest understanding of the invention, it is helpful to describe a prior art feeding bottle in some detail.  
         [0075]     Thus, in  FIGS. 1A  to  1 D, the components of a typical prior art bottle assembly  60  are shown, comprising a bottle  10 , a nipple  20 , and a collar  30  ( FIG. 1A ). Bottle  10  ( FIG. 1B ) is formed of plastic or glass. Bottle  10  is of hollow construction, with outer wall  11  closed off at closed end  12 , and with an opening  14  at open end  13 . Open end  13  has exterior threads  15 . Nipple  20  ( FIG. 1C ), formed of silicone or latex, has an outward flange  21 . Nipple  20  has a neck  22  formed by flange  21  and a retaining rib  23 . Nipple  20  has a closed end  24  with a plurality of perforations  28 . Nipple  20  is of hollow construction, forming a cavity  27 . Flange  21  has an opening  26  that allows a liquid (not shown) to be drawn into cavity  27  and out through perforations  28 . Collar  30  ( FIG. 1D ), which is formed of plastic, has a side  31  with interior threads  34 . Collar  30  has an inward flange  35  with an opening  36 . Collar  30  has an end  32 , with opening  33 . Flange  35  has an outward facing retaining rib  37 .  
         [0076]      FIG. 1E  shows a section of a nipple  20  mated with a collar  30 , forming a nipple-collar assembly  50 . Closed end  24  is drawn through opening  33  and opening  36 , such that neck  22  is nested in opening  36  and nipple  20  is retained in this position by flange  21  and retaining rib  23 .  
         [0077]      FIG. 1F  shows a section of a prior art one-piece nipple  51 , which is formed of rubber and plastic in a permanent bond. One-piece nipple  51  may be used in place of a two-piece nipple-collar assembly (not shown).  
         [0078]      FIG. 1G  shows a bottle  10  mated to a nipple-collar assembly  50 , forming a bottle assembly  60 . Open end  13  is inserted into opening  33 , and threads  15  are engaged with threads  34 . Open end  13  and flange  21 , held together with pressure from flange  35 , form a liquid-proof seal.  
         [0079]      FIG. 1H  shows a section of an optional prior art cover  52 , which is formed of plastic. Cover  52  has an open end  53  with opening  54 . Cover  52  has a closed end  55 , with a centrally located recess  56  on the interior side. Cover  52  has a side  57  with an inward retaining rib  58 .  
         [0080]      FIG. 1I  shows a section of a cover  52  mated to a bottle assembly  60  (see  FIG. 1J ). Recess  56  conforms to and covers closed end  24 .  
         [0081]      FIG. 1J  shows the details of retaining a cover  52  on a collar  30 . An inward retaining rib  58  on cover  52  is engaged with an outward retaining rib  37  on collar  30 , forming a snap closure.  
         [0082]     A one-piece example of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 2A  to  2 D. A container insert  100  ( FIG. 2A ) of hollow construction, cylindrical in shape, formed of plastic, preferably transparent, with a plurality of graduations  70  on the outside. Container insert  100  has an outer wall  101  ( FIG. 2B ), closed off at closed end  102 , with an opening  105  at open end  104 . Outer wall  101  is curved slightly inward at open end  104  ( FIGS. 2B and 2C ). Outer wall  101  has a plurality of slight castellations  72  with rounded corners  73  along the edge of opening  105  ( FIG. 2C ). Container insert  100  can be filled with a material  62  through opening  105  ( FIG. 2D ).  
         [0083]      FIGS. 2E  to  2 G show a one-piece container insert  100  in use. Container insert  100 , filled with a material  62 , is mated with a nipple-collar assembly  50  by inserting open end  104  into opening  26  ( FIG. 2E ). A liquid-proof seal is created by open end  104  and neck  22 , protecting material  62 . Nipple-collar assembly  50 , with container insert  100  and material  62 , is mated to a bottle  10 , which also contains a liquid  61  ( FIG. 2F ). This is the storage position for container insert  100 . Liquid  61  and material  62  cannot communicate and may be stored separately in this configuration, ready for mixing, for as long as the sterility of the environment in which it was prepared allows. When mixing is desired, nipple  20  is depressed with enough force to dislodge container insert  100  from nipple  20  ( FIG. 2G ). Open end  104  is unsealed, allowing material  62  and liquid  61  to mix through opening  105 . After agitating bottle assembly  60  the mixture can be administered.  
         [0084]     A two-piece example of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 3A  to  3 E. A container insert assembly  250  ( FIG. 3A ), comprising an insert body  200  of hollow construction, cylindrical in shape, formed of plastic, preferably transparent, with a plurality of graduations  70  on the outside, and a sealing member  210  shaped like a cap. Insert body  200  has an outer wall  201  ( FIG. 3B ), with an opening  203  at open end  202  and an opening  205  at open end  204 . Outer wall  201  is curved slightly inward at open end  204  ( FIGS. 3B and 3C ). Outer wall  201  has a plurality of slight castellations  72  with rounded corners  73  along the edge of opening  205  ( FIG. 3C ). Sealing member  210  is attached to insert body  200  at open end  202  ( FIG. 3D ). Sealing member  210  has a side  211  ( FIG. 3E ) with an inward rib  212 , which engages with an outward rib  208  on outer wall  201  at open end  202 , forming a removable liquid proof snap closure.  
         [0085]      FIGS. 3F  to  3 J show a two-piece container insert assembly  250  in use. An insert body  200  is mated with a nipple-collar assembly  50  by inserting open end  204  into opening  26  ( FIG. 3F ), forming a liquid-proof seal between open end  204  and neck  22 . Insert body  200  and nipple-collar assembly  50  are inverted, and a material  62  is added through opening  203  ( FIG. 3G ). A sealing member  210  is attached to insert body  200  at open end  202 , forming a container insert assembly  250  ( FIG. 3H ), and with nipple-collar assembly  50  material  62  is sealed. Nipple-collar assembly  50 , with container insert assembly  250  and material  62 , is mated to a bottle  10 , which also contains a liquid  61  ( FIG. 3I ). This is the storage position for container insert assembly  250 . Liquid  61  and material  62  cannot communicate and may be stored separately in this configuration, ready for mixing, for as long as the sterility of the environment in which it was prepared allows. When mixing is desired, nipple  20  is depressed with enough force to dislodge container insert assembly  250  from nipple  20  ( FIG. 3J ). Open end  204  is unsealed, allowing material  62  and liquid  61  to mix through opening  205 . After agitating bottle assembly  60  the mixture can be administered.  
         [0086]     The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 4A  to  4 E. A container insert assembly  350  ( FIG. 4A ), comprising an insert body  300  of hollow construction, cylindrical in shape, formed of plastic, preferably transparent, with a plurality of graduations  70  on the outside, and a sealing member  310  shaped like a cap with a pushrod  315  in the inside center. Insert body  300  has an outer wall  301  ( FIG. 4B ), with an opening  303  at open end  302  and an opening  305  at open end  304 . Outer wall  301  is curved slightly inward at open end  304  ( FIGS. 4B and 4C ). Outer wall  301  has a plurality of slight castellations  72  with rounded corners  73  along the edge of opening  305  ( FIG. 4C ). Sealing member  310  is attached to insert body  300  at open end  302  ( FIG. 4D ). Pushrod  315 , with a bulb  316  on its end, is long enough to protrude from opening  305 . Outer wall  301  has a flange  308  at open end  302  ( FIG. 4E ), which seats in a groove  314  on sealing member  310 , formed by a side  312  and a flange  313 , providing a liquid-proof seal.  
         [0087]      FIGS. 4F  to  4 L show a container insert assembly  350  in use. An insert body  300  is mated with a nipple-collar assembly  50  by inserting open end  304  into opening  26  ( FIG. 4F ), forming a liquid-proof seal between by open end  304  and neck  22 . Insert body  300  and nipple-collar assembly  50  are inverted, and a material  62  is added through opening  303  ( FIG. 4G ). A sealing member  310  is attached to insert body  300  at open end  302 , pushing pushrod  315  through material  62 , forming a container insert assembly  350  ( FIG. 4H ), and with nipple-collar assembly  50 , material  62  is sealed. When an optional cover  52  is attached to nipple-collar assembly  50  with container insert assembly  350  ( FIG. 41 ), closed end  24 , when slightly compressed by recess  56 , should not come in contact with pushrod  315 . Nipple-collar assembly  50 , with container insert assembly  350  and material  62 , is mated to a bottle  10 , which also contains a liquid  61  ( FIG. 43 ). This is the storage position for container insert assembly  350 . Liquid  61  and material  62  cannot communicate and may be stored separately in this configuration, ready for mixing, for as long as the sterility of the environment in which it was prepared allows. When mixing is desired, closed end  24  of nipple  20  is depressed ( FIG. 4K ), exerting enough force on pushrod  315  to dislodge sealing member  310  from insert body  300 . Open end  302  is unsealed, and material  62  and liquid  61  can mix through opening  303 . Nipple  20  is depressed further to dislodge insert body  300  from nipple  20  ( FIG. 4L ). Open end  304  is also unsealed, allowing material  62  and liquid  61  to mix through both opening  305  and opening  303 , facilitating a thorough mixing. After agitating bottle assembly  60  the mixture can be administered.  
         [0088]     A three-piece example of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 5A  to  5 F. A container insert assembly  450  ( FIG. 5A ), comprising an insert body  400  of hollow construction, cylindrical in shape, formed of plastic, preferably transparent, with a plurality of graduations  70  on the outside, and two sealing members  410  shaped like caps. Insert body  400  has an outer wall  401  ( FIG. 5B ) with an opening  403  at each end. Outer wall  401  has a plurality of slight castellations  406  along the edge of each opening  403  ( FIG. 5C ). Each sealing member  410  has a side  412  with a plurality of slight castellations  416  ( FIG. 5D ). Sealing members  410  are attached to insert body  400  at each end ( FIG. 5E ). Outer wall  401  has a flange  408  at both ends, each which seats in a groove  414  on a sealing member  410  ( FIG. 5F ), formed by side  412  and a flange  413 , providing a liquid-proof seal. Each sealing member  410  has a fin  415  on the outside.  
         [0089]      FIGS. 5G  to  5 J show the three-piece container insert assembly  450  in use. An insert body  400  is mated with a sealing member  410  at one end, and filled with a material  62  through the other ( FIG. 5G ). A second sealing member  410  is mated to the open end of insert body  400 , forming a container insert assembly  450  ( FIG. 5H ) and sealing material  62 . Container insert assembly  450 , with material  62 , is placed inside a bottle assembly  60 , which also contains a liquid  61  ( FIG. 5I ). This is the storage position for container insert assembly  450 . Liquid  61  and material  62  cannot communicate and may be stored separately in this configuration, ready for mixing, for as long as the sterility of the environment in which it was prepared allows. When mixing is desired, bottle assembly  60  is shaken with enough force to dislodge each sealing member  410  from insert body  400  ( FIG. 5J ). The ends of insert body  400  are unsealed, allowing material  62  and liquid  61  to mix through both openings  403 . After agitating bottle assembly  60  mixture can be administered.  
         [0090]     The container inserts can also be prepackaged for immediate use.  FIG. 6A  shows a container insert  100 , filled with a material  62 , with open end  104  sealed using a sealing member  74 , and enclosed in a packaging  71 . Sealing member  74  can be a cellophane diaphragm held in place using a non-permanent adhesive or heat bond such that sealing member  74  can be easily removed using a pull tab  75 . Packaging  71  can be a foil wrapper.  FIG. 6B  shows a container insert assembly  350 , filled with a material  62 , with open end  304  sealed using a sealing member  309 , and enclosed in a packaging  71 . Sealing member  309 , made of a suitable rigid plastic, is held in place by friction against outer wall  301 , prevents an accidental force on pushrod  315  that might dislodge sealing member  310 , and can easily be removed.  FIG. 6C  shows a container insert assembly  450 , filled with a material  62 , and enclosed in a packaging  71 .  
         [0091]     Accordingly, the reader will see that the container insert of this invention can be used to store a material separately inside a bottle, and release the material into the bottle when desired. Furthermore, the container insert has the additional advantages in that: 
        it permits the caregiver to prepare the bottle in a controlled environment, facilitating cleanliness and accurate measurements;     it permits the caregiver to mix the contents when desired without reopening the bottle, eliminating a significant chance of contamination;     it permits the caregiver to mix the contents quickly and with minimal attention, even one handed with tactile senses only;     its simple design allows ease of cleaning;     it works with bottles the caregiver already possesses.        
 
         [0097]     Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention. For example, the container insert body can be made of a bag to work with prior art bag-style bottles; the container insert can be used in bottles other than for feeding infants, including geriatric, invalid, and livestock care; the insert container can be shaped differently to accommodate different bottles.  
         [0098]     Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Technology Category: a