Bottle and valve for holding and dispensing multiple substances

Abstract

The present embodiments relate to a bottle capable of holding and selectively dispensing at least two different substances. The bottle comprises an outer container having a reservoir adapted to receive a first substance, and an inner container having a reservoir adapted to receive a second substance. When assembled, the inner container is removably disposed within a portion of the outer container. The bottle further comprises a valve having a first configuration adapted to inhibit flow from the inner and outer containers, a second configuration adapted to permit flow from the inner container and inhibit flow from the outer container, and a third configuration adapted to permit flow from the outer container and inhibit flow from the inner container. Tactile feedback is provided to the user to know when the valve moves from one configuration to another.

1 . A bottle comprising:
 an outer container having an upper portion, a lower portion, and an upstanding body therebetween, wherein the outer container comprises a reservoir adapted to receive a first substance;   an inner container having a reservoir adapted to receive a second substance, wherein the inner container is removably disposed within a portion of the outer container; and   a valve having a first configuration adapted to inhibit flow from the inner and outer containers, a second configuration adapted to permit flow from the inner container and inhibit flow from the outer container, and a third configuration adapted to permit flow from the outer container and inhibit flow from the inner container.   
   
   
       2 . The bottle of  claim 1  wherein the inner container comprises a pliable material adapted to contract when the second substance is dispensed. 
   
   
       3 . The bottle of  claim 2  wherein a portion of the inner container comprises a generally accordion shape. 
   
   
       4 . The bottle of  claim 1  further comprising a lid coupled to a nipple, wherein the nipple is vertically movable with respect to the lid. 
   
   
       5 . The bottle of  claim 4  wherein the lid comprises at least one threaded member adapted to engage a threaded member disposed on the upper portion of the outer container. 
   
   
       6 . The bottle of  claim 4  wherein the nipple comprises an upper flange configured to limit downward movement of the nipple with respect to the lid, a lower flange configured to limit upward movement of the nipple with respect to the lid, and at least one external ridge disposed between the upper and lower flanges, wherein the external ridge facilitates vertical stability of the nipple with respect to the lid in at least one position between maximum upper and lower nipple positions. 
   
   
       7 . The bottle of  claim 1  further comprising a gate member having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a lateral section disposed therebetween, wherein the lower portion of the gate member is configured to be removably coupled with the inner container using a threaded engagement. 
   
   
       8 . The bottle of  claim 7  wherein a nipple is disposed substantially concentrically within the upper portion of the gate member, wherein an annular space is formed between the nipple and the gate member. 
   
   
       9 . The bottle of  claim 8  wherein the gate member further comprises a surface comprising at least one side aperture, and wherein the nipple further comprises at least one external ridge adapted to block the side aperture when the valve is in the first configuration and the third configuration to inhibit flow from the inner container. 
   
   
       10 . A method of using a bottle, the method comprising:
 providing an outer container having an upper portion, a lower portion, and an upstanding body therebetween, wherein the outer container comprises a reservoir adapted to receive a first substance;   providing an inner container having a reservoir adapted to receive a second substance within a portion of the outer container; and   providing a valve of comprising a first configuration to inhibit flow from the inner and outer containers, a second configuration to permit flow from the inner container and inhibit flow from the outer container, and a third configuration to permit flow from the outer container and inhibit flow from the inner container.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the inner container comprises a pliable material, the method further comprising causing the pliable material to contract when the second substance is dispensed. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 providing a lid coupled to a nipple, wherein the nipple is vertically movable with respect to the lid; and   securing the lid to the upper portion of the outer container using a threaded engagement.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the nipple comprises an upper flange, a lower flange, and at least one external ridge disposed between the upper and lower flanges, the method further comprising:
 using the upper flange to limit downward movement of the nipple with respect to the lid;   using the lower flange to limit upward movement of the nipple with respect to the lid; and   using the at least one external ridge to facilitate vertical stability of the nipple with respect to the lid in at least one position between maximum upper and lower nipple positions.   
   
   
       14 . A bottle comprising:
 an outer container having an upper portion, a lower portion, and an upstanding body therebetween, wherein the outer container comprises a reservoir adapted to receive a first substance;   an inner container having a reservoir adapted to receive a second substance, wherein the inner container is removably disposed within a portion of the outer container; and   a valve adapted to selectively dispense and inhibit flow from the outer container, and further adapted to selectively dispense and inhibit flow from the inner container,   wherein the inner container comprises a pliable material adapted to contract when the second substance is dispensed from the inner container.   
   
   
       15 . The bottle of  claim 14  wherein the valve has a first configuration adapted to inhibit flow from the inner and outer containers, a second configuration adapted to permit flow from the inner container and inhibit flow from the outer container, and a third configuration adapted to permit flow from the outer container and inhibit flow from the inner container. 
   
   
       16 . The bottle of  claim 14  wherein a portion of the inner container comprises a generally accordion shape. 
   
   
       17 . The bottle of  claim 14  further comprising a lid coupled to a nipple, wherein the nipple is vertically movable with respect to the lid. 
   
   
       18 . The bottle of  claim 17  wherein the nipple comprises an upper flange configured to limit downward movement of the nipple with respect to the lid, a lower flange configured to limit upward movement of the nipple with respect to the lid, and at least one external ridge disposed between the upper and lower flanges, wherein the external ridge facilitates vertical stability of the nipple with respect to the lid in at least one position between maximum upper and lower nipple positions. 
   
   
       19 . The bottle of  claim 14  further comprising a gate member having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a lateral section disposed therebetween, wherein the lower portion of the gate member is configured to be removably coupled with the inner container, and
 wherein a nipple is disposed substantially concentrically within the upper portion of the gate member, such that an annular space is formed between the nipple and the gate member.   
   
   
       20 . The bottle of  claim 19  wherein the gate member further comprises a surface comprising at least one side aperture, and wherein the nipple further comprises at least one external ridge adapted to block the side aperture when the valve is in a first configuration and a third configuration to inhibit flow from the outer container.