Patents Assigned to The Last Straw LLC
-
Publication number: 20130181005Abstract: A flexible tube check valve is introduced within a fluid path for leakage protection from flexible liquid containers. The flexible check valve can be a crossbill valve comprising multiple flexible members that restrict the flow of fluid in a tubular member. The flexible check valve is preferably functionally integrated with the container itself to prevent liquid from exiting a container. Preferably, the flexible check valve is a crossbill valve that is encapsulated within a flexible tube and mechanically attached to the flexible container. Alternatively, the check valve is manufactured as part of the flexible container. Liquid is designed to only flow through when an external compressive force (e.g. users fingers or lips) is applied to the valve. When force is no longer applied to the valve section, the valve returns to its normally closed position and fluid is wholly or substantially prevented from exiting.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2013Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: THE LAST STRAW, LLCInventor: THE LAST STRAW, LLC
-
Patent number: 8328113Abstract: The present invention relates to a leakage prevention straw, a method of manufacturing the leakage prevention straw, and containers employing the leakage prevention straw. In accordance with the present invention, the leakage prevention straw has an open-ended, hollow tube; an open-ended, hollow receiver sealably mounted on the tube; a valve assembly sealably engaging the receiver; and a resilient locking adapter disposed on the tube and lockingly engaging the valve assembly to secure the valve assembly in liquid seal engagement with the receiver. The valve assembly has a hollow, open-ended, resilient enclosure and a check valve disposed within the enclosure. Although the check valve is biased in a closed position, the check valve opens upon manual manipulation of the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: The Last Straw LLCInventors: Robert Patton Stribling, Samuel Clifford Crosby
-
Publication number: 20110108613Abstract: The present invention relates to a leakage prevention straw, a method of manufacturing the leakage prevention straw, and containers employing the leakage prevention straw. In accordance with the present invention, the leakage prevention straw has an open-ended, hollow tube; an open-ended, hollow receiver sealably mounted on the tube; a valve assembly sealably engaging the receiver; and a resilient locking adapter disposed on the tube and lockingly engaging the valve assembly to secure the valve assembly in liquid seal engagement with the receiver. The valve assembly has a hollow, open-ended, resilient enclosure and a check valve disposed within the enclosure. Although the check valve is biased in a closed position, the check valve opens upon manual manipulation of the enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2009Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: THE LAST STRAW LLCInventors: ROBERT PATTON STRIBLING, Samuel Clifford Crosby
-
Patent number: 7934620Abstract: A flexible check valve is introduced within a fluid path for leakage protection. The flexible check valve can be a duckbill/crossbill valve comprising multiple flexible members that restrict the flow of fluid in a tubular member. The flexible check valve is preferably used in conjunction with a drinking straw to prevent liquid from exiting a container such as a drink box. Preferably, the flexible check valve is a crossbill valve that is attached using an adapter. Liquid is designed to only flow through when an external compressive force (e.g. users fingers or lips) is applied to the valve. When force is no longer applied to the valve section, the valve returns to its normally closed position and fluid is wholly or substantially prevented from exiting.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2005Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: The Last Straw, LLCInventors: Robert Patton Stribling, Samuel Clifford Crosby
-
Patent number: 7837056Abstract: A flexible check valve is introduced within a fluid path for leakage protection. The flexible check valve is preferably a crossbill used in conjunction with a drinking straw to prevent undesired liquid leakage from a container such as a drink box. A transition section is used to mate the dissimilar materials of the straw and flexible check valve. The transition section retains an internal bayonet section of the flexible check valve within a snap-fit ring.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2005Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: The Last Straw LLCInventors: Robert Stribling, Samuel Clifford Crosby
-
Publication number: 20070138121Abstract: A child's drinking container, e.g. sippie cup or baby bottle, uses a cover with a functionally integrated flexible cheek valve within an exiting fluid path for leakage protection. The valve is preferably a flexible check valve such as a crossbill. The valve comprises two or more flexible members that restrict the flow of fluid from a container during non-drinking situations. The flexible members of the valve limit pressurized flow and substantially prevent fluid from exiting while remaining normally closed. To open a valve section, external compressive force is applied (e.g., by a user's fingers or lips) which separates the flexible members allowing fluid to flow through, and encapsulated within a tubular drinking section having a fluid path and is attached to the exit end of the cover. An additional ventilation mechanism is added in various embodiments including a flexible air intake check valve added to the bottom of a baby bottle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2006Publication date: June 21, 2007Applicant: THE LAST STRAW, LLCInventors: ROBERT STRIBLING, SAMUEL CROSBY
-
Publication number: 20070108158Abstract: A flexible tube check valve is introduced within a fluid path for leakage protection from flexible liquid containers. The flexible check valve can be a crossbill valve comprising multiple flexible members that restrict the flow of fluid in a tubular member. The flexible check valve is preferably functionally integrated with the container itself to prevent liquid from exiting a container. Preferably, the flexible check valve is a crossbill valve that is encapsulated within a flexible tube and mechanically attached to the flexible container. Alternatively, the check valve is manufactured as part of the flexible container. Liquid is designed to only flow through when an external compressive force (e.g. users fingers or lips) is applied to the valve. When force is no longer applied to the valve section, the valve returns to its normally closed position and fluid is wholly or substantially prevented from exiting.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2006Publication date: May 17, 2007Applicant: THE LAST STRAW, LLCInventors: Robert Stribling, Samuel Crosby
-
Publication number: 20060201955Abstract: A flexible check valve is introduced within a fluid path for leakage protection. The flexible check valve is preferably a crossbill used in conjunction with a drinking straw to prevent undesired liquid leakage from a container such as a drink box. A transition section is used to mate the dissimilar materials of the straw and flexible check valve. The transition section retains an internal bayonet section of the flexible check valve within a snap-fit ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2005Publication date: September 14, 2006Applicant: THE LAST STRAW, LLCInventors: ROBERT STRIBLING, SAMUEL CROSBY
-
Patent number: D550496Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2006Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: The Last Straw LLCInventors: Robert Stribling, Samuel Clifford Crosby