Dispensing Tube For A Powdered Drink Mix

Abstract

An assembly for adding powder to a bottle of liquid product is disclosed herein. The assembly includes a section of bellows extending along an axis between a first end and a second end. The section of bellows is operable to collapse along the axis in response to an axially-directed force. The assembly also includes a top neck portion unitary and integrally-formed with the section of bellows at the first end and defining a first opening. The assembly also includes a cap releasable engageable with the top neck portion to selectively close the first opening. The assembly also includes a bottom neck portion unitary and integrally-formed with the section of bellows at the second end and defining a second opening. The bottom neck portion defines inwardly-facing threads for engaging outwardly-facing threads on the neck of a bottle. The assembly also includes a membrane disposed across the axis between the bottom neck portion and the section of bellows. The assembly also includes a first product disposed in the section of bellows between the membrane and the cap for mixing with a liquid product in the bottle. The membrane is burstable in response to the collapse of the section of bellows to release the first product through the bottom portion. The first and second openings are substantially the same size.

1 . An assembly for adding powder to a bottle of liquid product comprising:
 a section of bellows extending along an axis between a first end and a second end, said section of bellows operable to collapse along said axis in response to an axially-directed force;   a top neck portion unitary and integrally-formed with said section of bellows at said first end and defining a first opening;   a cap releasable engageable with said top neck portion to selectively close said first opening;   a bottom neck portion unitary and integrally-formed with said section of bellows at said second end and defining a second opening, said bottom neck portion defining inwardly-facing threads for engaging outwardly-facing threads on the neck of a bottle;   a membrane disposed across said axis between said bottom neck portion and said section of bellows;   a first product disposed in said section of bellows between said membrane and said cap for mixing with a liquid product in the bottle, wherein said membrane being burstable in response to the collapse of said section of bellows to release said first product through said bottom portion; and   wherein said first and second openings are substantially the same size.   
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said membrane is further defined as including at least one score line for weakening said membrane to allow said membrane to tear at said score line in response to internal pressure generated by collapse of said section of bellows. 
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2  wherein said at least one score line is further defined as comprising a plurality of said score lines intersecting one another at said axis. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 2  wherein said at least one score line is further defined as extending along a arcuate path. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a quantity of gas disposed in said section of bellows with said first product for enhancing a build-up of internal burst pressure when said section of bellows collapses along said axis.   
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said cap includes inwardly-facing threads and said top neck portion includes outwardly-facing threads.