Straw-insertable, reusable drinking container seal
A straw-insertable, sealing and resealing device is disclosed, including a flexible disk-like body and a geometrically shaped body for a drinking container, especially a container used for beer, soft drink, punch, fruit juice, vegetable juice, drinking water, and other consumable liquids. The said sealing device comprises at least one or a combination of disk-like bodies and geometrically shaped bodies within a drinking container cap having one or plurality of lines of weakness located on the top surface of at least one said body within the container rim adapted for inserting, holding and adjusting the length a drinking straw through the said top surface and thus into the drinking container and resealable when placed back into the said container. Once the container has been opened, one or a plurality of disk-like-bodies or geometrically shaped bodies are removed from within the cap and utilized to hold a drinking straw in place above the rim of the said container while in use. The length of the straw above the container rim is adjusted within at least one said disk-like body or geometrically shaped body to suit the user. At least one flexible disk-like body or geometrically shaped body is also removable or extendable to hold a drinking straw both inside and outside of the drinking container. After use, the straw and disk-like body or geometrically shaped body is discarded or put back into the container cap for resealing. At least one extended disk-like body or geometrically shaped body will also be utilized by the manufacturer to install and store a straw within the container for the consumer's use.
When a straw is used to consume a beverage from a drinking container-, such as beer, soft drink, fruit juice, vegetable juice, drinking water, and other consumable liquids, it usually sinks below the rim of the container, after one sip or another. Many consumers will then stick a finger, usually dirty, into the neck of the container to retrieve the straw. Others will put the neck of the container, also usually unsanitary, into their mouth and turn the container up side down in an attempt to retrieve the straw. For many years, drinking directly from the mouth of a container has been a hygiene concern to some users for several external reasons. Further, when drinking from a large container with a straw, one often desires to save some of the beverage and put the cap back on the container, if it has not been dropped or lost. Further yet, when one wishes to drink with a straw from that same container later, another straw may be needed and not be available. Therefore, a container that has a cap attached and stores a retrievable drinking straw helps to solve some hygiene concerns and also helps to make drinking from a container more convenient and safe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to utilizing one or a plurality of disk-like bodies or geometrically shaped bodies having one or a plurality of lines of weakness for inserting and holding a drinking straw through at least one said body and thus into a drinking container and resealing the said container cap when the user desires. The present invention also relates to utilizing one or a plurality of disk-like bodies or geometrically shaped bodies comprising one or a plurality of lines of weakness within the container rim and on the top surface of the said body that are removable, extendable and adaptable for inserting and holding a drinking straw both inside and outside of a drinking container. At least one disk-like body or geometrically shaped body is also used for inserting and holding a drinking container straw to an adjusted length above the container rim. When a drinking container has been opened at least one or more disk-like bodies or geometrically shaped bodies are removed, used and put back into the said container cap or discarded, leaving at least one said body for resealing.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a sealing device for a container cap comprising one or a plurality of disk-like bodies having at least one line of weakness, within the container rim, adapted for inserting and holding a drinking straw through the top surface and thus into the drinking container and resealable when placed back into the said container.
Another object of this invention is to provide a sealing device for a drinking container cap comprising at least one disk-like body and at least one geometrically shaped body, attached within the container rim, and adapted for removal and for inserting and holding a drinking straw through the top surface of at least one said body and thus into the drinking container and resealable when placed back into the said container.
Another object of this invention is to provide a sealing device for a drinking container cap comprising one or a plurality of geometrically shaped bodies with one or a plurality of lines of weakness, within the container rim, adapted for inserting and holding a drinking straw through the top surface and thus into the drinking container and resealable when placed back into the container.
Another object of this invention is to provide a sealing device for a drinking container cap comprising at least one disk-like body having at least one line of weakness, within the container rim, for removal or extending the said body, adapted for inserting and holding a drinking straw through the top surface above the container rim and thus into the drinking container and resealable when placed back into the said container cap.
Another object of this invention is to provide a sealing device for a container cap comprising at least one disk-like body attached to at least one geometrically shaped body having at least one line of weakness, within the container rim, for removal or extending the said body, adapted for inserting and holding a drinking straw above the container rim and thus into the drinking container and resealable when placed back into the said container cap.
Another object of this invention is to provide a sealing device for a container cap comprising at least one geometrically shaped body attached to one or a plurality of geometrically shaped bodies having at least one line of weakness, within the container rim, removable, extendable, and adaptable for inserting and holding a drinking straw above the container rim and thus into the drinking container and resealable when placed back into the said container cap.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sealing device for a drinking container cap comprising one or a plurality of disk-like bodies having at least one line of weakness, within the container rim, adapted for inserting, holding and adjusting the length of a drinking straw above the container rim and thus into the drinking container and resealable when placed back into the said container cap.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sealing device for a drinking container cap comprising one or a plurality of geometrically shaped bodies having at least one line of weakness, within the container rim, adapted for inserting, holding and adjusting the length of a drinking straw above the container rim and thus into the drinking container and resealable when placed back into the said container cap.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sealing device for a drinking container cap comprising at least one disk-like body having one or a plurality or lines of weakness, within the container rim, removable, extendable and adaptable for inserting and holding a drinking straw both inside and outside of the drinking container.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sealing device for a drinking container cap comprising at least one geometrically shaped body having one or a plurality or lines of weakness, within the container rim, removable, extendable and adaptable for inserting and holding a drinking straw both inside and outside of the drinking container.
Another object of this invention is to provide a sealing device for a drinking container cap comprising at least one of the aforementioned bodies with one or a plurality of lines of weakness, within the container rim, reinforced to stop the propagation of tearing the said lines of weakness when inserting a drinking straw.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sealing device for a drinking container cap comprising at least one of the aforementioned bodies, attached, within the container rim, to at least one projection or removable assembly.
Another object of the present invention is provide a sealing device for a drinking container cap comprising a plurality of disk-like bodies or geometrically shaped bodies with at least one symbol or message or both on at least two said bodies.
Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparent upon an understanding of illustrative embodiments about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims. Various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Item 1 is the container cap. Item 1-A of
The following examples are intended for illustrations only. As various changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the preferred invention without departing from the spirit and scope and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein are not intended to limit my invention in any combination of related ways shown.
Claims
1. A straw-insertable, sealing and resealing device for a drinking container cap comprising:
- one or a plurality of flexible bodies having a top surface with at least one dimension greater or less than the said drinking container rim opening;
- one or a plurality of said flexible bodies having a top surface with one or a plurality of lines of weakness within the ineffective sealing area of the said container rim opening;
- at least one said flexible body attached to one or a plurality of said flexible bodies within the said container cap;
- wherein at least one said flexible body is adapted for removal to permit inserting and holding a drinking straw through the said top surface and thus into the said drinking container.
2. A straw-insertable, sealing and resealing device for a drinking container cap comprising:
- one or a plurality of flexible bodies having a top surface with at least one dimension greater or less than the said drinking container rim opening;
- one or a plurality of said flexible bodies having a top surface with one or a plurality of lines of weakness within the said container cap;
- at least one said flexible body attached to one or a plurality of said flexible bodies within the said container cap;
- wherein at least one said flexible body is adapted for removal to permit inserting and holding a drinking straw through the said top surface and thus into the said drinking container.
3. A straw-insertable, sealing and resealing device for a drinking container cap comprising:
- in combination, a self-sealing and resealing container cap with one or a plurality of flexible bodies attached within the said drinking container cap;
- one or a plurality of said flexible bodies having a top surface with one or a plurality of lines of weakness within the ineffective sealing area of the said container rim opening;
- wherein at least one said flexible body is adapted for removal to permit inserting and holding a drinking straw through the said top surface and thus into the said drinking container.
4. A straw-insertable, sealing and resealing device for a drinking container cap comprising:
- one or a plurality of flexible bodies having a top surface with at least one dimension greater or less than the said drinking container rim opening;
- at least one said flexible body having at least one continuously reducing circumferential line of weakness creating at least one continuous surface starting and ending within the ineffective sealing area of the said container rim opening;
- one or a plurality of said flexible bodies having a top surface with one or a plurality of lines of weakness within the said ineffective sealing area of the said container rim opening;
- wherein at least one said flexible body is adapted for removal and or extension to permit inserting and holding a drinking straw through the said top surface and thus into the said drinking container.
5. A straw-insertable, sealing and resealing device for a drinking container cap comprising:
- one or a plurality of flexible bodies having a top surface with at least one dimension greater or less than the said drinking container rim opening;
- at least one said flexible body having at least one continuously reducing, geometrically shaped line of weakness creating at least one continuous surface, starting and ending within the ineffective sealing area of the said container rim opening;
- one or a plurality of said flexible bodies having a top surface with one or a plurality of lines of weakness within the said ineffective sealing area of the said container rim opening;
- wherein at least one said flexible body is adapted for removal and or extension to permit inserting and holding a drinking straw through the said top surface and thus into the said drinking container.
6. A straw-insertable, sealing and resealing device for a drinking container cap comprising:
- one or a plurality of flexible bodies having a top surface with at least one dimension greater or less than the said drinking container rim opening;
- at least one said flexible body having at least one multi-directional line of weakness creating at least one continuous surface, starting and ending within the ineffective sealing area of the said container rim opening;
- one or a plurality of said flexible bodies having a top surface with one or a plurality of lines of weakness within the said ineffective sealing area of the said container rim opening;
- wherein at least one said flexible body is adapted for removal and or extension to permit inserting and holding a drinking straw through the said top surface and thus into the said drinking container.
7. A straw-insertable, sealing and resealing device for a drinking container cap comprising:
- one or a plurality of flexible bodies having a top surface with at least one dimension greater or less than the said drinking container rim opening;
- at least one flexible body having continuously alternate parallel lines of weakness with at least one connecting transverse line of weakness creating at least one continuous surface of continuously adjacent parallel surfaces connected with at least one transverse surface, starting and ending within the ineffective sealing area of the said container rim opening;
- one or a plurality of said flexible bodies having a top surface with one or a plurality of lines of weakness within the said ineffective sealing area of the said container rim opening;
- wherein at least one said flexible body is adapted for removal and or extension to permit inserting and holding a drinking straw through the said top surface and thus into the said drinking container.
8. A straw-insertable, sealing and resealing device for a drinking container cap comprising:
- one or a plurality of flexible bodies having a top surface with at least one dimension greater or less than the said drinking container rim opening;
- at least one said flexible body having continuously alternate parallel lines of weakness with at least one connecting transverse line of weakness creating at least one continuous surface of continuously adjacent rectangular surfaces connected with at least one transverse surface, starting and ending within the ineffective sealing area of the said container rim opening;
- one or a plurality of said flexible bodies having a top surface with one or a plurality of lines of weakness within the said ineffective sealing area of the said container rim opening;
- wherein at least one said flexible body is adapted for removal and or extension to permit inserting and holding a drinking straw through the said top surface and thus into the said drinking container.
9. A straw-insertable, sealing and resealing device of claim 4 wherein one or a plurality of said flexible bodies are attached within the said drinking container cap with at least one said body having at least one continuously reducing circumferential line of weakness creating at least one continuous surface, starting and ending within the said container cap.
10. A straw-insertable, sealing and resealing device of claim 5 wherein one or a plurality of said flexible bodies are attached within the said drinking container cap with at least one said body having at least one continuously reducing, geometrically shaped line of weakness creating at least one continuous surface, starting and ending within the said container cap.
11. The straw-insatiable, sealing and resealing device of claim 6 wherein one or a plurality of said flexible bodies are attached within the said drinking container cap with at least one said flexible body having at least one multi-directional line of weakness creating at least one continuous surface, starting and ending within the said container cap.
12. A straw-insertable, sealing and resealing device of claim 7 wherein one or a plurality of said flexible bodies are attached within the said drinking container cap with at least one said body having continuously alternate parallel lines of weakness creating at least one continuous surface of continuously adjacent parallel surfaces connected with at least one transverse surface, starting and ending within the said container cap.
13. A straw-insertable, sealing and resealing device of claim 8 wherein one or a plurality of said flexible bodies are attached within the said drinking container cap with at least one said flexible body having continuously alternate parallel lines of weakness with at least one connecting transverse line of weakness creating at least one continuous surface of continuously adjacent rectangular surfaces connected with at least one transverse surface, starting and ending within the said container cap.
14. The claims of 1 through 13 wherein the said flexible body is a disk-like body.
15. The claims of 1 through 13 wherein the said flexible body is one of multiple shapes and sizes.
16. The straw-insertable, sealing and resealing device of claims 1 through 15 wherein at least one said body has at least one extended projection or assembly within the ineffective sealing area.
17. The straw-insertable and flexible body of claims 1 through 15 and also 1 through 15 combined with claim 16 wherein at least one said body is attached to the said drinking container cap and has at least one extended projection or assembly within the ineffective sealing area.
18. The straw-insertable and flexible body of claims 1 through 15 and also 1 through 15 with various combinations of claims 16 and 17 wherein the said one or plurality of lines of weakness used for inserting and holding a drinking straw has one or a plurality of tear-stopping means.
19. The straw-insertable and flexible body of claims 1 through 15 and also 1 through 15 with various combinations of claims 16, 17 and 18 wherein the said one or a plurality of lines of weakness used for inserting and holding a drinking straw are reinforced with one or a plurality of extended projections for stopping the propagation of the tearing of the said one or plurality of lines of weakness.
20. The straw-insertable and flexible body of claims 1 through 15 and also 1 through 15 with various combinations of claims 16, 17, 18 and 19 wherein the said one or a plurality of lines of weakness used for inserting and holding a drinking straw are reinforced with one or a plurality of thickened body portions for stopping the propagation of the tearing of the said one or plurality of lines of weakness.
21. The straw-insertable and flexible body of claims 1 through 15 and also 1 through 15 with various combinations of claims 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 wherein the said one or a plurality of lines of weakness used for inserting and holding a drinking straw has at least one slit, hole or a combination of both.
22. Claims 1 through 15 and also 1 through 15 with various combinations of claims 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 wherein the said straw-insertable, sealing and resealing device for a drinking container comprising:
- in combination, a self-sealing and resealing container cap with one or a plurality of flexible bodies attached within the said container cap;
- one or a plurality of said flexible bodies having a top surface with one or a plurality of lines of weakness within the said container cap;
- wherein at least one said flexible body is adapted for removal and or extension to permit inserting and holding a drinking straw through the said top surface and thus into the said drinking container.
23. The straw-insertable and flexible body of claims 1 through 15 and also 1 through 15 with various combinations of claims 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 wherein at least one said body has at least one symbol, message or a combination of both.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 8, 2003
Publication Date: Feb 10, 2005
Inventor: Randall Marshall (Washington, DC)
Application Number: 10/636,764