Storage and dispensing device for mating with a liquid container to allow for mixing of a substance and the liquid

Abstract

The device stores and dispenses a pre-measured quantity of a substance, e.g. powdered flavoring. The device is used in conjunction with another container, e.g. a water bottle, containing a pre-measured quantity of another substance, e.g. a liquid such as water. The device includes a housing having a chamber for storing the substance, and the bottom of the chamber includes a sealed end. A breaking member or disc member is held in the chamber with the substance between the disc member and the sealed end. The disc member includes a top portion and a protruding member depending downward toward the sealed end. As the disc member is pushed downward, the protruding member moves toward the sealed end, and ultimately protrudes down and rips the bottom sealed end of the housing allowing the substance to dispense into the bottle.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for separately storing and mixing first and second substances, the system comprising: 
 a container for storing the second substance, the container having an opening; and    a device for storing the first substance, the device having 
 a housing having first and second opposite ends, the first end defining a breakable sealed end for sealing the first substance in the housing; and  
 a breaking member moveably carried by the housing inside the second end thereof for breaking the breakable sealed end of the housing when actuated by a user while the device is engaged with the opening of the container to allow mixing of the first and second substances in the container.  
   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the breaking member comprises a top portion forming an upper seal with the housing, and a protruding portion extending from the top portion for engaging and breaking the breakable sealed end of the housing.  
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the breakable sealed end comprises an inner housing wall member integrally formed with the housing as a monolithic unit.  
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein the inner housing wall member comprises at least one line of weakness.  
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a cylindrical housing which removably fits inside the opening of the container.  
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 5 , wherein the cylindrical housing includes a lip for securing the breaking member within the opening of the container.  
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises external threads adjacent the opening; and the housing further comprises a threaded portion for mating with the external threads of the container.  
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the breaking member is secured within the second end of the housing via a friction fit.  
     
     
         9 . A device for storing a first substance to be mixed with a second substance stored in a container having an opening, the device comprising: 
 a housing having first and second opposite ends, the first end defining a breakable sealed end for sealing the first substance in the housing; and    a breaking member moveably carried by the housing inside the second end thereof for breaking the breakable sealed end of the housing when actuated by a user while the device is engaged with the opening of the container to allow mixing of the first and second substances in the container.    
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein the breaking member comprises a top portion forming an upper seal with the housing, and a protruding portion extending from the top portion for engaging and breaking the breakable sealed end of the housing.  
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein the breakable sealed end comprises an inner housing wall member integrally formed with the housing as a monolithic unit.  
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 11 , wherein the inner housing wall member comprises at least one line of weakness.  
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein the housing comprises a cylindrical housing which removably fits inside the opening of the container.  
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 13 , wherein the cylindrical housing includes a lip for securing the breaking member within the opening of the container.  
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein the housing further comprises a threaded portion for mating with external threads of the container adjacent the opening.  
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein the breaking member is secured within the second end of the housing via a friction fit.  
     
     
         17 . A method of dispensing a first substance into a container for mixture with a second substance, the method comprising: 
 storing the first substance in a housing of a device having a breakable sealed end;    placing a moveable breaking member in an opposite end of the housing;    placing the device adjacent an opening of the container; and    pressing the breaking member to move the breaking member within the housing and toward the breakable sealed end to break the breakable sealed end and allow mixing of the first and second substances in the container.    
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the breaking member comprises a top portion forming an upper seal with the housing, and a protruding portion extending from the top portion for engaging and breaking the breakable sealed end of the housing.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the breakable sealed end comprises an inner housing wall member integrally formed with the housing as a monolithic unit.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the inner housing wall member comprises at least one line of weakness.  
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the housing comprises a cylindrical housing which removably fits inside the opening of the container.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the cylindrical housing includes a lip for securing the breaking member within the opening of the container.  
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the housing further comprises a threaded portion for mating with external threads of the container adjacent the opening.  
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the breaking member is secured within the opposite end of the housing via a friction fit.