With Straw Or Drinking Tube Patents (Class 215/388)
  • Patent number: 7111747
    Abstract: An article of manufacture is placed in cooperative relationship with a liquid-containing bottle, such as a wine bottle, to absorb liquid which runs down the neck of the bottle. The article comprises a length of flexible cord with opposite ends passed through closely spaced, laterally adjacent passageways of a retaining member to form a closed loop on one side of the retaining member and the cord extending to free ends on the other side. The closed loop is placed around the bottle neck and the retaining member, which is in frictional engagement with the cord, is moved to essentially remove slack from the closed loop. The retaining member then rests upon the bottle neck and the free ends extend down the bottle base. Weight members may be attached to the free ends of the cord after passing through the passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Cynmark Designs, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Paikin, Cindy Paikin
  • Patent number: 7044316
    Abstract: A straw set with a ventilating structure includes a nipple connected to a circular base with a circular air guiding trench, an air hole that passes through, and a chamber with two axles attached underneath. Underneath, a straw base consists of an inner circular wall fixed to the nipple, an outer circular wall fixed to the bottom of the circular base, another circular air guiding trench concaved between the inner and the outer circular walls, and a hollow pipe protruding downwards. The straw base is supported by a soft plastic circular base with a hole at the center, a second outer circular wall expanded upward to fix upon the first outer circular wall, a air guiding trench expanded downward from the edge of the second outer circular wall, and another air hole that passes through the soft plastic circular base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Tung Ling Industrial Co., LTD
    Inventor: William Hsu
  • Patent number: 7029360
    Abstract: An apparatus for containing a fluid for human consumption includes a container. A spring is attached to a screw on type of lid disposed at the top of the container. A support member of a bobble head engages a top of the spring. A hole is provided in the container that is adapted to receive a straw. The support member is attached to a head. The spring supports the head above the lid so it can bobble from side to side, twist around a center axis, or bob up and down. The head is urged downward and protrusions and recesses in the support member and lid act like gear teeth to engage with each other and permit rotating the head and lid simultaneously to either loosen or tighten the lid. A modified threaded container having a lower and upper half is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Victor Jonathan Hawkins
  • Patent number: 7025653
    Abstract: An apparatus for containing a fluid for human consumption includes a container. A spring is attached to a screw on type of lid disposed at the top of the container. A support member of a bobble head engages a top of the spring. A hole is provided through the bobble head and support member that is adapted to receive a straw. The support member is attached to the bobble head. The spring supports the bobble head above the lid so it can bobble from side to side, twist around a center axis, or bob up and down. The head is urged downward and protrusions and recesses in the support member and lid act like gear teeth to engage with each other and permit rotating the head and lid simultaneously to either loosen or tighten the lid. A modified threaded container having a modified bobble head that is adapted to allow passage of the straw through the modified bobble head and including a lower and a separable upper half is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: Victor Jonathan Hawkins
  • Patent number: 7011255
    Abstract: A spill or squirt resistant fluid management system is described. The system primarily includes: (1) a first fluid passage portion having a first open end; (2) a second fluid passage portion having a second open end; (3) a fluid accumulator portion disposed between, and in fluid communication with, the first and second fluid passage portions; (4) a fluid inlet disposed between the second fluid passage portion and the fluid accumulator portion; and (5) a fluid exit disposed between the first fluid passage portion and the fluid accumulator portion. The system is useful for incorporation into drinking straws, fluid containers, drinking container lids, and tanker trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventor: Dante C. Zuccaro
  • Patent number: 6932239
    Abstract: A coupling device is provided for allowing one wearing a protective mask to drink fluids from a standard drinking fluid container. The device includes a punch at one end, a central body, and a capture port at the other end of the central body. The punch punctures a wall of a fluid container. Drinking fluid flows into the central body. The drinking tube is inserted into the port to allow one to drink fluid from the container. The device allows one wearing a protective suit in a contaminated environment to obtain drinking fluid from a standard, commercially-available container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Robert McKitrick
  • Patent number: 6929135
    Abstract: A bottle holding a beverage includes a straw and stopper combination that is moved into a deployed position within the neck of the bottle after the cap of the bottle is removed. In this position, an air path through the stopper provides for air flow into the bottle when suction is applied through the straw. When suction is not applied, the air path is closed by a flexible member of the stopper, so that the beverage cannot leak outward through the air path or through the straw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Zoya, Inc.
    Inventor: Zoya Hajianpour
  • Patent number: 6923332
    Abstract: A baby bottle feeding apparatus and method for assisting the feeding of a nursing infant by a bottle attached to an elongated feeding tube with pacifier end. The apparatus and method can include a pivotable connector such as a ball and socket connected between an elongated tube and the pacifier that can be rotated to selected positions without pinching off the tube for allowing ease of use by the nursing infant. The apparatus and methods can include additional assists such as allowing the liquid contents of the bottle to become more easily moveable by gravity flow. One embodiment can have a stand that orients the bottle up to approximately ninety degrees which can include forty five degrees when positioning the bottle on a support surface. Another embodiment allows for an interior wall inside the bottle to have a sloped portion so that laying the bottle on its side in a horizontal position still allows gravity to assist moving liquid contents within the bottle to the feeding infant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: Jeff H. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6923337
    Abstract: A drinking valve assembly includes an inner member with an aperture and an outer member with a movable drinking spout extending from an upper surface of the outer member. The inner member and the outer member of the drinking valve assembly form a channel extending from the aperture to a spout outlet. The outer member has an inner surface that contacts the inner member about the aperture to block flow along the channel with the spout in a first position, the inner surface of the outer member being displaced from the inner member in response to movement of the spout to a second position to enable flow along the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: The First Years Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Hession, James J. Britto
  • Patent number: 6877626
    Abstract: A device which has a cap having connection means of multiple geometries such that connection can be made with a variety of bottle openings and a valve to inhibit spillage through the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: Joseph Sherrod
  • Patent number: 6814300
    Abstract: A refill indicator includes an elongated member for removably positioning in a drink container. The elongated member has a first end and a second end. A first color indicia is positioned on an outer surface of the elongated member and generally extends from the first end to a middle of the elongated member. A second color indicia is positioned on an outer surface of the elongated member and generally extending from the second end to a middle of the elongated member. Wherein the first color indicia indicates that a refill is requested while the second color indicia indicates that a refill is not desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventor: Michelle Bernstorff
  • Patent number: 6793094
    Abstract: A container of storing and dispensing liquids which is resistant to tipping. The container preferably has a substantially semi-spherical outer surface. The container includes a body with a top, a bottom and a side wall which form a substantial portion of the container and which define an interior cavity. The body has a central axis extending from the bottom to the top. A lid is removably attached to the top of the body. The lid includes a dispenser for dispensing liquids from within the container. A counterweight is located in the bottom of the container and is positioned so as to maintain the central axis substantially vertical when the container is placed on a surface. The container is particularly beneficial for small children, the elderly and the physically handicapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventor: Mitchell Turnbough
  • Publication number: 20040169002
    Abstract: A bottle adapter inserts into the mouth of a standard-sized baby bottle and converts it into a “sippy bottle” for toddlers who have outgrown nipples and can negotiate straws. The adapter, which is normally made of soft plastic, comprises a disk with a lip around the periphery that fits into the mouth of the bottle, providing a leakproof seal. The disk further defines a center hole for the straw, such straw being made from soft, flexible plastic which is transparent so that one can easily ascertain its cleanliness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Illissa Carrol White-Wooten
  • Publication number: 20040164174
    Abstract: A drinks straw and vessel equipment of the same g., a novelty feature straw that is while or partly made from thermo-sensitive material and a chamber under vacuum FIG. 612 sealed by membranes at first end (drinking) FIG. 614 and second (distal) end FIG. 616. Straw ends have inwardly projecting integral spikes FIG. 622 mounted on caps that are collapsible and form an open cage to support spike FIG. 622 that can be pressed into said membranes causing spikes to pierce membrane at both ends of straw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventor: Alan Francis Day
  • Publication number: 20040124170
    Abstract: A device which has a cap having connection means of multiple geometries such that connection can be made with a variety of bottle openings and a valve to inhibit spillage through the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph Sherrod
  • Publication number: 20040116036
    Abstract: Beverage bottle tops having interactive elements or performing interactive actions are disclosed. The beverage bottle tops are capable of conveying liquid from the bottle to a person. The beverage bottle tops include interactive elements, structures, or acts, which result from activation thereof. For example, the interactive elements, structures, or acts include, but are not limited to, members moving on the bottle top, lights illuminating on the bottle top, sounds emanating from the bottle top, or squirting liquid from the bottle top. The interactive bottle tops can be activated manually, electrically, or magnetically. In addition, the interactive bottle tops can be activated by squeezing a body on the bottle top, by operating a trigger on the bottle top, by changes in environmental light or sound, or by drinking liquid through the bottle top.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: IN ZONE Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy James Nugent, Leon James Scott
  • Patent number: 6745949
    Abstract: Disclosed is a drinking straw with valve function adapted to be mounted to a beverage container, the straw including a straw member having a straw body, a bellows portion formed at a desired portion of the straw body, and a tube arranged in the bellows portion while being integral with the straw body and having a desired elasticity, and a straw mounting member for mounting the straw member to the beverage container. The straw mounting member includes a fixed base attached to a top of the beverage container while being in close contact with the top of the beverage container, a straw fitting section formed at one side portion of the fixed base, and adapted to mount the straw member thereto, and a straw holding section formed at the other side portion of the fixed base, and adapted to hold the straw member in a bent state or to release the straw member from the bent state. A cut-out is selectively formed at an inner tube portion of the tube in a region where the inner tube portion bends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Kyou Sang Lee
  • Publication number: 20040089629
    Abstract: An anti-spill drinking straw and cap assembly for use with a beverage container is disclosed. The assembly includes a drinking straw and receptacle cover having a substantially sealed interface, either by interference fit or thermal or chemically fused attachment to provide an anti-spill sealed interface. According to either embodiment, the straw-and-cap assembly is readily adapted to be used with any container having either a full-rim opening, or an opening such as that defined by a scored region or other predetermined opening provided within the top surface of the cap removed by a pull-tab or push-through structure either central to or eccentric with a central portion of the top surface. The drinking straw and cap may be provided as an assembly for use with any receptacle configured to receive it, with standard or custom sized openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Paul M. Villaescusa, Tangie K. Villaescusa
  • Publication number: 20040069783
    Abstract: An easily usable bottle cap includes a cap base, an upper cap, two press buttons, a flexible sucking tube and a straw. The cap base has a lower connect member to engage with an upper end of a bottle containing water or the like. A user only presses the two press buttons inward to compress two coil springs for disengage engage blocks from the upper cap so as to let the upper cap swung up by resilience recovery of the flexible sucking tube. Then a user can use the sucking tube to drink liquid contained in a bottle threadably combined with the cap base through the straw connected with the sucking tube. The upper cap can be kept closed on the cap base by swinging down to engage the engage blocks with hooks of the upper cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Sin-Hsiung Chen
  • Publication number: 20040065635
    Abstract: A container of storing and dispensing liquids which is resistant to tipping. The container preferably has a substantially semi-spherical outer surface. The container includes a body with a top, a bottom and a side wall which form a substantial portion of the container and which define an interior cavity. The body has a central axis extending from the bottom to the top. A lid is removably attached to the top of the body. The lid includes a dispenser for dispensing liquids from within the container. A counterweight is located in the bottom of the container and is positioned so as to maintain the central axis substantially vertical when the container is placed on a surface. The container is particularly beneficial for small children, the elderly and the physically handicapped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Mitchell Turnbough
  • Publication number: 20040060888
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a baby feeding device which comprises a check valve. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a baby feeding device having a nipple, a bottle, the first inner tube deployed in inside of the bottle, an outer extension tube, which comprises a check valve for air inflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Kyo Hoon Ahn
  • Publication number: 20040045928
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stopper intended to be mounted on a container, of the bottle type, containing a liquid, a base provided with means for mounting on the container, a mouthpiece intended to be positioned in the user's mouth to remove the liquid from the container, an air inlet allowing air into the container in response to the removal of the liquid, said mouthpiece comprising at least one duct communicating with the internal volume of the container and ending toward the outside in the form of an outlet orifice, wherein the air inlet comprises at least one fluid passage one of the ends of which opens to the outside and the other end of which opens near the outlet orifice which, with this other end, are intended to be introduced into the user's mouth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: THE ZEBRA COMPANY
    Inventor: Francis Lepage
  • Publication number: 20040011760
    Abstract: A closure top is especially suited for use with a bottle for medical use, particularly for enteral feeding. The closure top screws onto the bottle. The bottle contents are accessible to a feeding tube by means of a passage through the closure top. The closure top may be provided with a freshness seal which is penetrated by insertion through the passage of the feeding tube or a cannula attached to the feeding tube. The top may have a pressure-relief opening. A semi-permeable membrane may be fitted in the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Marco Schupp, Harro Westermann
  • Patent number: 6675981
    Abstract: Two baby bottles 33 that are attached to each other as to dispense two separate liquids and having baby size handles 30 for holding and attached to handles are mind development keys 31. A drinking nipple 10 so constructed as to accommodate a common drinking straw. A teething nipple 38 and 39 with a dispensing cavity 40 governed by an attached baffle 41 which restricts the flow of liquids and said baffle 41 designed to hold a drinking straw if so desired without spilling contents of bottle when inverted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph John Lesko
  • Publication number: 20030209512
    Abstract: The invention relates a Bottle Insert comprising an insert that (optionally, removably) resides inside the uppermost portion of a wide mouth bottle. The insert is circular in shape and has sidewalls and an integral base portion. The base portion rises in one or more locations to a flat plane located near the top of the circular shape and extending approximately one third of the diameter distance into the circular shape. The raised flat portions comprise one or more cut out areas for the purpose of drinking liquid contained within the bottle. Each such cut out area follows the inner diameter of the circular shape at one edge and following the contour of the rest of the raised portion of the flat area. The lower base portion has one or more drain holes. The insert is constructed of injection molded, food grade plastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Joshua Numa Guyot
  • Publication number: 20030189023
    Abstract: A closure cap adapted to be removably retained on a container can include a cap portion and a film portion. The cap portion can include an opening adapted to permit flow from an interior of the container to an exterior of the container when the closure cap is retained on the container. The film portion can be adapted to prohibit flow through the opening and can be positionable to permit flow through at least a portion of the opening when the closure cap is retained on the container. A drinking straw can be introduced into the opening to permit flow from the interior to the exterior of the closure cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: Fabricas Monterrey, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventor: Gilberto Robles Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20030168462
    Abstract: In a replacement cap for a vessel, in which a cap body 2 is mounted on a mouth portion 1a of a vessel 1 so as to be replaceable so that a liquid in the vessel 1 can be drunk through a tube 5 provided on the cap body 2, the cap body 2 is provided with an air supply port 4 having cup-shaped valve means 10 which is closed normally and is opened to supply the outside air into the vessel 1 when the interior of the vessel 1 becomes at a negative pressure. Since the valve means 10 is opened to supply the outside air into the vessel 1 when the interior of the vessel 1 becomes at a negative pressure, a liquid in the vessel 1 can be drunk smoothly through the tube 5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: KIYOTA ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hozumi Kiyota
  • Publication number: 20030141269
    Abstract: A letter or number shaped bottle (10) that is filled with a potable fluid (80) such as a natural-spring drinking water or a fruit juice. The letter bottles are constructed of hollow letter shaped structures (12) that range from A to Z, and the number bottles are constructed of hollow number shaped structures (14) that range from 1 to 0, The hollow structures (12, 14) each include an upper bottle opening (36) having integrally attached a tubular neck (38) to which is releasably attached a bottle cap (50) which when removed, the fluid (80) in the bottle can be consumed. Before or after the fluid is consumed the letter bottles can be used as a teaching aid to teach individuals, and particularly school-age children, the alphabet. Likewise, the number bottles can be used to teach correct number sequencing. The invention also includes a tray (70) that allows a set of letter (12), number (14), and/or punctuation mark (15) bottles to be stored or displayed in selected arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Mikelyn Roderick
  • Patent number: 6588622
    Abstract: A beverage container having a baffle system which may be inserted into the container for reducing the splashing sound caused by sloshing within the container. The baffle system of the present invention includes an elongate tubular core having a longitudinal axis. A plurality of deformable fins are attached to the tubular core in spaced apart relation along the longitudinal axis of the core. Each fin extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the core. Each fin has a generally disc shape and includes radial slits through the fin to allow water to pass between the slits within the bottle. The central core is hollow and may be used as a straw for drawing liquid from the container by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventors: Jason T. Leishman, Roy Bart Summers
  • Publication number: 20030102318
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spout assembly having a plurality of fluid passages so as to enable easy and convenient drinking of liquid beverages contained in the container through an associated straw and easily dispense the liquid beverages into another container. The spout assembly includes a main body coupled on a top of a container, a fluid spout assembly having a first fluid passage through which the liquid beverage can flow out of the container in a state where the container is inclined and a second fluid passage through which the liquid beverage can be socked in a state where the container vertically stands; and a cap coupled to the fluid spouting assembly. The fluid spout assembly can be folded on a folding portion or be elected so that the user can drink or dispense the liquid beverages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventor: Jung Min Lee
  • Patent number: 6527137
    Abstract: A drinking mug with integral straw includes a cup-like vessel portion, and a straw portion having an internal passage joined in fluid communication with an interior volume of the vessel portion. The straw portion is preferably positioned in spaced apart relationship to the vessel portion, whereby the straw portion can be easily gripped for holding the mug during use. Notably, the straw portion includes a plurality of subdivisions in the internal passage arranged in series flow relationship, with each of the subdivisions including a pair of sections through which liquid can flow. Thus, as liquid is drawn through the straw portion from the vessel portion, the liquid flow is repeatedly subdivided and joined as liquid flows through the series of subdivisions. By formation of the present drinking mug from transparent plastic material, the flow of liquid from the vessel portion through the straw portion is readily visually apparent, thus enhancing enjoyable use of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Arrow Plastic Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Robert Kleckauskas, Bruce Ronner, Robert Giacolo, David W. Heidlauf
  • Patent number: 6523711
    Abstract: A sports bottle cap having a pressure differential valve is provided which allows water to flow out through the bottle cap only when the bottle is inverted and squeezed or alternatively a straw may be threaded through the pressure differential valve, thereby deactivating it, and attached to the bottle cap allowing the user to draw liquid from the bottle through the straw. In operation the bottle cap of the present invention allows the user to dispense fluid from within the bottle in two different ways. The first manner of use allows liquid to be dispensed only when the bottle containing the liquid is inverted and squeezed. Squeezing causes the pressure to increase on the inside of the bottle thereby causing the pressure differential valve to open and liquid to exit; however, when the bottle is not squeezed the pressure differential valve remains in the closed position sealing bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventors: Douglass E. Hughes, Raymond G. Bryan
  • Patent number: 6513686
    Abstract: A water-supply pack assembly adapted to hitch onto the driver's seat in an automobile, thereby making it possible for the driver to drink water drawn from the supply without having to interrupt his driving activity The assembly includes a fixture attachable to the headrest of the driver's seat and a water-supply pack mountable on the fixture so that it is then behind the back of the seat. A flexible tube extending from the outlet of the supply and terminating in a valved mouthpiece functions as a straw to permit the driver with the mouthpiece in place to suck water from the supply as he drives the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Amit Ben-Sasson
  • Patent number: 6499614
    Abstract: A straw accessible compartmented container is provided which consists of a beverage container having a plurality of compartments, each outer compartment individually accessed by drinking straws contained within concave bowl shaped depressions located in container shoulder portions. The bowl shaped depressions have centrally located apertures to receive the drinking straws. The drinking straws have corrugated middle portions that are located adjacent to and are larger in diameter than the apertures so that the drinking straws are anchored within the bowl shaped depressions and can pop outward when a depression covering cap is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Garey Thompson
  • Patent number: 6494332
    Abstract: A stopper (30) for use with an individual beverage container (40) is disclosed. The stopper has a generally tubular side wall (32) with an upper edge and a lower edge. The side wall is dimensioned to fit snugly in the neck (50) of the beverage container with a pressure fit. A bottom (34) extends inwardly from the side wall. A flat upper portion is integrally attached to the bottom and is spaced upwardly from the bottom. An aperture (36) is formed in the bottom or the flat upper portion. In addition, a vent hole (38) is formed in the bottom or the flat upper portion. Preferably the flat upper portion is spaced from the side walls thereby forming a trough therebetween. Preferably the aperture is formed in the bottom and dimensioned to receive a straw (58) snugly therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Hide-A-Straw Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Louis Haughton, Glenn Wallace Haughton, Peter Christopher Michael Hillar
  • Publication number: 20020170874
    Abstract: An easy-open lid assembly for a bottle has a body connected to the bottle, a socket centrally defined in the body, a nipple received in the socket, a straw connected to the nipple and extending into the bottle, a first spring disposed around the nipple, a lid hinged to the body, and a pushbutton. The lid is able to be closed for convenient transportation, or a user is able to push the pushbutton to open the lid and the nipple will rise out of the socket automatically for the user to easily access the beverage in the bottle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Shui-Mu Hou
  • Publication number: 20020148806
    Abstract: A sucking structure attachable to any bottle or container generally available in the market that is incorporated to a bottle by an external straw provided with a sucker to sip water or other potable liquid contained in the bottle; both of said straw and a water inlet hose inside the bottle are connected to a bottle cap and a connector penetrating said bottle cap with its portion exposed above the cap indicating a barb for the straw to press firmly against the connector when the straw is inserted into the connector while the portion of the connector inside the bottle reduces downwardly as its outer diameter becomes larger upwardly to hold it in position when inserted into the bottle cap; and the sucking structure allows the use of any recyclable bottle or container and thus contributes to environmental purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Huei-Wen Cheng
  • Publication number: 20020121495
    Abstract: A capped container (such as a glass or plastic bottle) is provided with a specially designed straw which is hidden inside. As the container is uncapped or otherwise opened, the straw automatically straightens out and extends itself through the neck of the container to a length convenient for drinking. When the container is closed, the cap automatically pushes the straw back into the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventor: Anatoly N. Kozlov
  • Patent number: 6431382
    Abstract: A beverage container holding a drinking straw having an upper portion located in an insert that is fixed to an inner surface of the container and directs the straw toward an opening through an neck, and a removable cap having a plug that engages the upper end of the straw and draws the straw outward through the opening as the cap is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Tianfu Li
  • Patent number: 6427928
    Abstract: A straw comprises a cylindrical plug member having an opening at a top thereof, and a straw member which vertically extends through a bottom portion of the plug member and which is retractable in the longitudinal direction of the straw member, wherein the straw is adapted to fit the plug member with a top of a mouth of a beverage container so as to retain in a state where the straw is inserted into the beverage container. The straw is also adapted to allow a top of the straw member to be protruded from the mouth of the beverage container by extending the straw member and to allow the top of the straw member to be contained within the plug member by retracting the straw member so as to attach a cap of the beverage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Kyowa Electric and Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kashichi Hirota, Makoto Kaneda
  • Publication number: 20020079320
    Abstract: A beverage container equipped with a top and a pop-up straw inside for a convenient and sanitary drinking purpose. The straw has an upper end and a lower end and is placed in the container. The straw has substantially lower density than a liquid in the container to urge the upper end through an openable portion of the top. Preferably, a bonding agent fixes the straw temporarily to the container at the time of filling the container with the liquid and closing the container with the top, and releases the straw automatically to allow flotation of the straw within the container after closing the container. The beverage container with the pop-up straw facilitates sanitary drinking and is compatible with the current high-speed canning and bottling processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Donald C. McCarthy, David H. Hollenberg, Charles E. Dunning
  • Patent number: 6405938
    Abstract: A tubular element for drawing liquid from a container is shown including a first end designed to be connected to a source of vacuum and a second end designed to be immersed in the liquid to be drawn. The tubular element is designed to pass through an orifice or an inlet conduit, made from an elastically extendable materia. The cross section of the tubular element is sized to be contiguous with the edge of the orifice or with the wall of the conduit. The tubular element also includes an annular bulge with a truncated cone shaped surface which includes a small base, which is directed towards the second end and has a diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the said tubular element and which also includes a large base which with the external surface of the tubular element, defines a bearing surface and serves as an end stop with the conduit wall or the aperture of said container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Walk Pak Holding NV
    Inventor: Etienne Susini
  • Patent number: 6395170
    Abstract: Embodiments of a portable water filter are described and shown, each embodiment being adapted to fit and seal into a bottle neck without modification of, or attachment to, the bottle or its cap or other closure. The filter has a flange system that rests on the lip of the bottle neck and that has slanted or curved surfaces to seal with the neck and the bottle cap when the cap is screwed onto the bottle. The filter further includes a connector for attachment to a straw for an alternative use of the filter in a cup or mug. The filter water inlets are preferably in the lower region of the filter housing, to facilitate suctioning of the liquid from the bottom of the cup or mug even when the liquid level is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventors: Douglass E. Hughes, Raymond G. Bryan
  • Publication number: 20020043513
    Abstract: A combination drinking container and straw and method of manufacture. The container has at least one straw retaining member molded into either the outer or inner surface of the container wall, or a portion of the wall may be shaped to include a constricted stem. A malleable straw is fitted onto each such retaining member so that at least a portion of the pathway of the straw is defined by the retaining members. A first end of the straw extends into the container and a second end extends upwardly so that beverage may be sipped therefrom. A lid may close the container, the lid optionally including an aperture to permit passage of the straw, the straw passing through the aperture. Also disclosed is a lidded container wherein the lid is provided with an aperture. A first portion of a drinking straw extends from inside the container, through the hole and to the container's outside to form a hinge for the lid. A second portion of the straw is attached to the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventor: Erik Lipson
  • Patent number: 6371329
    Abstract: A reclosable drinking straw for flexible or semi-flexible beverage containers including a pot-like closure cap externally mounted on a drinking straw end to be axially displaced between a closed position and an open position, the inner cap bottom portion being designed as a closing element for the drinking straw openings, and the cap wall comprising at least one lateral passage opening which in the open position is in flow communication with the drinking straw opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Indag Gesellschaft Fur Industriebedarf Mbh & co.
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Wild
  • Patent number: 6360912
    Abstract: A straw including a straw body defined therein with a passage extending throughout the length of the straw body, a bellows portion formed at a desired portion of the straw body, the bellows portion having a desired length, and a tube arranged in the bellows portion and integrally formed with the bellows portion, the tube having a desired elasticity and being configured in such a fashion that opposite inner surface portions thereof are in close contact with each other in a bent state of the bellows portion by a desired angle, thereby closing the passage of the straw body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Kyou Sang Lee
  • Publication number: 20020030059
    Abstract: A straw comprising a straw member having an outer straw portion and an inner straw portion, the outer and inner straw portions being telescopingly fitted with each other, the inner straw portion including an elastic upper section, and a cylindrical plug member having an opening at the upper end thereof. The inner straw portion is retained in the state inserted into a beverage container by mounting the plug member to the upper end of a mouth of the beverage container, and the upper section of the inner straw portion is bent by pressing with a beverage container cap so as to attach the beverage container cap to the beverage container, and the upper end of the inner straw portion is protruded from the upper end of the plug member by detaching the beverage container cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Kashichi Hirota, Makoto Kaneda
  • Patent number: 6336566
    Abstract: A combination drinking container and straw and method of manufacture. The container has at least one straw retaining member molded into either the outer or inner surface of the container wall, or a portion of the wall may be shaped to include a constricted stem. A malleable straw is fitted onto each such retaining member so that at least a portion of the pathway of the straw is defined by the retaining members. A first end of the straw extends into the container and a second end extends upwardly so that beverage may be sipped therefrom. A lid may close the container, the lid optionally including an aperture to permit passage of the straw, the straw passing through the aperture. Also disclosed is a lidded container wherein the lid is provided with an aperture. A first portion of a drinking straw extends from inside the container, through the hole and to the container's outside to form a hinge for the lid. A second portion of the straw is attached to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: Erik Lipson
  • Publication number: 20010042754
    Abstract: A drinking apparatus which includes a liquid reservoir having at least one liquid outlet ducted from at least one inlet in the liquid pulled within the reservoir, at least one liquid outlet ducted from at least one inlet outside of said reservoir yet in the vicinity of said first liquid outlet, and means to hold said first liquid outlet relative to said second liquid inlet in such a way as to enable suction applied at said second liquid outlet to induce an unducted liquid flow of liquid ducting from the liquid pulled within the reservoir between said first liquid outlet and said second liquid inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventor: Ping Fai Lei
  • Publication number: 20010027956
    Abstract: This invention relates to an infant feeding device comprising a mouthpiece adapted to deliver liquid feed to an infant, a grip member shaped to be easily grasped by an infant and means for connecting the mouthpiece to a feed reservoir. A kit for feeding an infant which comprises an infant feeding device as described above, a feed reservoir and a tube which communicates with both the reservoir connection means and the feed reservoir is also provided together with a feed reservoir for use in such a kit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Frank Bonacorso, Gerard Mark Egan