Apparatus and composition for inhibiting dental caries

Abstract

The present invention comprises a bottle liner or insert for administering at least two different liquids to a feeding child, comprising a) a first reservoir of polymer fabric, the reservoir comprising two walls sealed together at their mutual bottom and sides and having an open top and flaps extending from both walls at the top of said first reservoir; b) a sheet of polymer fabric having a smaller area than either wall of said first reservoir, the sheet sealingly anchored to the inside of either wall such that the sheet and inner wall together form a second reservoir extending to and open at its top, the sheet also having a flap extending from its wall at the top; and c) a valve in fluid communication with and disposed between the first and second reservoirs, thereby allowing flow from the second reservoir to the child.

1 . A bottle liner for administering at least two different liquids to a feeding child, comprising:
 a) a first reservoir of polymer fabric, said reservoir comprising two walls sealed together at their mutual bottom and sides and having an open top and flaps extending from both walls at the top of said first reservoir;   b) a sheet of polymer fabric having a smaller area than either wall of said first reservoir, said sheet sealingly anchored to the inside of either wall such that the sheet and inner wall together form a second reservoir extending to and open at its top, said sheet also having a flap extending from its wall at the top; and   c) a valve in fluid communication with and disposed between the first and second reservoirs whereby, when said liner is installed in a bottle, the valve opens at the urging of a vacuum created by the child, thereby allowing flow from the second reservoir to the child.   
     
     
         2 . The bottle liner of  claim 1  wherein the polymer fabric is food grade. 
     
     
         3 . The bottle liner of  claim 1  wherein the polymer is polyethylene. 
     
     
         4 . The bottle liner of  claim 1  wherein the flaps have tear-off edges. 
     
     
         5 . The bottle liner of  claim 1  wherein the second reservoir has a smaller capacity than the first reservoir. 
     
     
         6 . The bottle liner of  claim 1  wherein the sheet is sealingly anchored to the inner wall by a welded seam. 
     
     
         7 . The bottle liner of  claim 1  wherein the valve is selected from the group consisting of a diaphragm-type valve, a ball-and-seat valve, a duck-bill valve, an umbrella valve and a burst-type valve. 
     
     
         8 . The bottle liner of  claim 1  wherein the second reservoir contains a liquid rinse agent sealed therein. 
     
     
         9 . The bottle liner of  claim 1  wherein the second reservoir contains a powdered rinse agent sealed therein. 
     
     
         10 . The bottle liner of  claim 8  wherein the rinse agent liquid comprises a concentrate. 
     
     
         11 . The bottle liner of  claim 8  wherein the rinse agent liquid is fully diluted. 
     
     
         12 . The bottle liner of  claim 1  wherein the rinse agent comprises a polyol. 
     
     
         13 . The bottle liner of  claim 12  wherein the polyol is selected from the group consisting of xylitol, sorbitol and mannitol and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The bottle liner of  claim 8  wherein the rinse agent comprises water. 
     
     
         15 . The bottle liner of  claim 1  in combination with a container having a cap for holding the flexible liner within said container, and a simulated nipple for communication with the contents of the bottle and liner. 
     
     
         16 . The bottle liner of  claim 1  wherein the liner is disposable. 
     
     
         17 . The bottle liner of  claim 1  wherein the valve is mounted in a tubular extension of said second reservoir. 
     
     
         18 . The bottle liner of  claim 17  wherein the tubular extension is long enough that it bypasses most of the first reservoir. 
     
     
         19 . A bottle liner for administering at least two different liquids to a feeding child, comprising:
 a) an outer reservoir of polymer fabric, said outer reservoir comprising two walls sealed together at their mutual bottom and sides and having an open top and flaps extending from both walls at the top of said outer reservoir;   b) an inner reservoir of polymer fabric, said inner reservoir comprising two walls sealed together at their mutual bottom and sides and having an open top and flaps extending from both walls at the top of said inner reservoir, said inner reservoir located inside of said outer reservoir and anchored to the inside of said outer reservoir such that one of the flaps of the inner reservoir is sealingly attached to a flap of the outer reservoir at its top; and   c) a valve in fluid communication with and disposed between the outer and inner reservoirs whereby, when said liner is installed in a bottle, the valve opens at the urging of a vacuum created by the child, thereby allowing flow from the inner reservoir to the child.   
     
     
         20 . The bottle liner of  claim 19  wherein said valve is a burst-type valve comprising a weakened area of the inner reservoir seals.