Abstract: A unitary beverage container includes a main body defining a container volume. A flexible straw is fluidly connected at a proximal end with the volume adjacent the bottom of the main body. The flexible straw also includes a distal end in the form of a hollow mouthpiece having a central aperture therein with the mouthpiece is located adjacent the top of the main body. In many configurations of the mouthpiece, the mouthpiece includes a cylindrical base portion from which levers extend. An attaching mechanism removably attaches the mouthpiece of the flexible straw to the top of main body and closes the aperture of the mouthpiece. The attaching mechanism includes a short hollow bridge extending from the aperture at the distal end of the flexible straw which is broken during removal of the flexible straw to uncover the aperture prior to use. The hollow bridge is connected to a hollow chamber which is attached to the top. A concavity in which the mouthpiece is received is provided at the top.

Abstract: A unitary beverage container includes a main body defining a container volume. A flexible straw is fluidly connected at a proximal end with the volume adjacent the bottom of the main body. The flexible straw includes a series of segments which provide bending diaphragms. The straw also includes a distal end which is preferably in the form of a planar hollow mouthpiece having vertical wings and a central aperture therein with the mouthpiece is located adjacent the top of the main body. The segments of the straw near the bottom are strengthened and a curved portion of the straw has wedge shaped segments. An attaching mechanism removably attaches the distal end of the flexible straw to the top of main body and closes the aperture of the distal end. The attaching mechanism includes a short hollow bridge extending from the aperture at the distal end of the flexible straw which is broken during removal of the flexible straw to uncover the aperture prior to use.

Abstract: Unitary beverage containers include a main body defining a container volume. A flexible conduit or straw is fluidly connected at a proximal end with the volume adjacent the bottom or top of the main body. The conduit or straw also includes a distal end which is preferably in the form of some shape of hollow mouthpiece having a central aperture therein with the mouthpiece is located adjacent the top of the main body. A connection or closing mechanism removably attaches a hollow member to the distal end of the flexible straw or conduit and closes the aperture of the distal end. The mechanism includes a short hollow bridge extending from the aperture at the distal end of the flexible straw or conduit which is broken during removal of the hollow member to uncover the aperture prior to use. The hollow member is otherwise isolated fluidly from the container volume. A indentation in which the mouthpiece and hollow member are received is provided at the top.

Abstract: Unitary beverage containers and methods of filling thereof are disclosed where the beverage container includes a main body and a filling conduit extending from the top thereof which is closed off after filling. In embodiments with a separate straw, an attaching mechanism removably attaches the distal end of the flexible straw to the top of main body and closes the aperture in the distal end. The attaching mechanism includes a short hollow bridge extending from the aperture which is broken during removal of the flexible straw to uncover the aperture prior to use. The hollow bridge is connected to a hollow chamber member which is otherwise isolated fluidly from the container volume. A concavity is provided at the top in which a mouthpiece at the distal end of the straw is received. In some preferred embodiments, the filling conduit extends from the top of the main body, and from adjacent the mouthpiece or from the mouthpiece itself.

Abstract: This container is a unique self-dosing and dispensing container. Through the use of a one-piece, self-aligning valve which moves from one position of closing a dispensing opening to a position of opening the dispensing opening and simultaneously closing the opening between the container and the chamber which contains the dispensing opening. The valve is operated by a change in pressure within the container. The change in pressure in the container is induced by flowing an excess of fluide from the container so as to cause a negative pressure. There are various techniques for creating a negative pressure in the container, including the use of a bellows built into the container and a squeezing of the sidewalls of the container.

Abstract: A valve cover for a gas storage cylinder comprising a support member affixed to the cylinder and a cap member matingly engageable to the support member by means of a double-acting lock.

Abstract: A collapsible package for a soft-frozen ice cream product which includes a cone-shaped body portion comprised of inner and outer preformed cone-shaped members a nozzle secured at the top of the cone-shaped body portion and a cap or cover across the nozzle aperture. The inner and outer cones are bonded together over less than 20% of their adjacent surface areas so that an insulative layer of air exists between the inner and outer cones.

Abstract: Disclosed are expansible clasp and module constructions for connecting the free ends of a watch strap together while at the same time providing adequate expansion along the length of the strap to permit removal of the strap over the hand of the wearer without having to disconnect the free strap ends. The expansible clasp and module constructions employ one or more spring-biased sliding members disposed in a housing elongated along the strap length. In the clasp construction, the outer end of the sliding member effects releasable connection to one free strap end while one end of the housing is permanently attached to the other free strap end. The sliding member slides out of the housing against the spring bias in one direction along the strap length for expansion purposes during removal of the strap.