Container for retaining liquids and valve for use in the same

Abstract

A container for retaining liquids includes a straw assembly that permanently lies partially within an interior cavity of the container and partially outside the container. The straw assembly includes an elongated tubular member which is slidably received in a valve. A first end of the tubular member lies outside the container and is covered by a tear-away strip to protect it from contamination and damage. A second end of the tubular member lies within the cavity and is selectively engeagable with the valve to either prevent liquid from being withdrawn from the container or allow liquid to be withdrawn from the container through the tubular member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/519,983, filed Nov. 14, 2003 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/598,557, filed Aug. 3, 2004, the entire specifications of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention generally relates to containers for retaining liquids. More particularly, the invention relates to containers for retaining liquids, the contents of which are accessed by piercing the outer surface of the container with a straw. Specifically, the invention relates to a flexible pouch that includes a straw which extends through the wall of the pouch and is partially retained within the cavity of the pouch from the manufacturing stage through to the point the consumer wishes to access the contents of the pouch.

2. Background Information

A variety of containers have been utilized for retaining liquids such as milk or fruit juices. These containers have included plastic and glass bottles, boxes with impermeable liners and flexible plastic pouches. Both the boxes and the pouches have been sold with straws, wrapped in plastic sleeves and secured to the outside surface of the container by a small quantity of adhesive. One end of the straw is typically slightly pointed. The box or pouch is typically provided with a weakened area through which the pointed end of the straw is pushed. When the consumer wishes to drink the contents of the box or pouch, the straw is removed from its plastic sleeve, the pointed end of the straw is used to puncture the weakened area on the box or pouch and the straw is then pushed partially into the liquid within the container.

One of the problems with these previously provided containers is that the plastic sleeves holding the straws may become detached from the box or pouch. The loss of the straw makes it difficult for the consumer to access the contents of the container. Additionally, the boxes previously provided are reasonably expensive to manufacture and take up a lot of room during shipping and on displays in the stores. There has recently been a shift in the industry to utilize pouches instead of boxes for holding drinks of various kinds. This shift is based on the fact that the pouches are cheaper to manufacture, more pouches than boxes can be packaged into the same size shipping container and there is less material to ultimately dispose of. These factors result in reduced transportation costs, reduced areas for shipping, storage and display space relative to box-packaged products.

The pouches that are presently known in the art are typically manufactured from either a foil type material or any of a number of types of plastics. One of the problems experienced with the presently known pouches is that when the consumer comes to insert the straw into the container, the flexibility of the pouch and the fluid nature of the contents make it difficult to puncture the outer wall of the pouch with the straw. In order to successfully puncture the pouch, the consumer may apply too much force and push the straw completely through the pouch, thereby causing the contents to spill out of the pouch in two directions or juice may squirt out of the straw as soon as the pouch is punctured.

A further problem with the pouch-type drink containers of the prior art is that once they have been opened, the entire contents of the container have to be consumed. There is no provision in the prior art for being able to reseal the container after partial consumption of the contents thereof.

There is therefore a need in the art to provide an improved mechanism for accessing the liquid contents contained within flexible pouch type containers and for closing the container for later consumption of the contents thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The liquid container of the present invention is a container having a straw which extends through an aperture in the outer wall thereof. The straw is retained so that it lies partially within the cavity and partially out of the container. A selectively removable tear-away strip protects the free end of the straw from damage and contamination from the time of manufacture until consumption of the contents of the pouch. Preferably, the end of the straw lying within the cavity is connected to a valve which is set in a first position where the straw is blocked and the valve and straw are movable relative to each other to a second position where the straw is open and liquid is able to flow through the straw. If the consumer decides that they wish to consume only a portion of the liquid in the pouch, the valve can be engaged and reset to the first position so that liquid is again prevented from flowing through the straw. The valve preferably includes a base with a centrally located plug extending outwardly therefrom. The base includes a mechanism for preventing the straw from being entirely withdrawn therefrom and for limiting the range of movement of the straw within the valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container for retaining liquids in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional side view of the container through line 1A-1A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container for retaining liquids with the tear-away strip being removed therefrom;

FIG. 2a is a cross-sectional side view of the container through line 2A-2A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container with the straw rotated and lifted into the drinking position;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional side view of the container through line 3A-3A of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a valve for use in the container for retaining liquids, showing the valve prior to engaging the same with a straw;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional front view of the valve through line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the exterior surface of the valve of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the valve engaged with a straw and showing the straw in a closed position;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the valve through line 8-8 of FIG. 7, showing the position of the valve in the container;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the valve in the container and showing the straw in an open position;

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the valve in the container showing the straw being pushed back into a closed position;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment of the valve of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the valve of FIG. 11 showing the straw partially extending outwardly from the valve;

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the housing section of the valve of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the housing section of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side view of the plug section of the valve of FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the plug section of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional front view of third embodiment of the valve in accordance with the present invention and showing the valve in the closed position;

FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the valve of FIG. 17 showing the valve in an open position;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional front view of container incorporating a fourth embodiment of valve; and showing the valve in the closed position; and

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional front view of the container of FIG. 19 with the valve in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3A, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a liquid retaining container in accordance with present invention. The container is a flexible pouch, generally indicated at 10. Pouch 10 has an internal cavity 12 (FIG. 1A) which holds a liquid 14 such as fruit juice, water or milk. A straw assembly 16 is provided to access liquid 14 within cavity 12. Straw assembly 16 is connected to pouch 10 so that it is partially held within cavity 12 and partially extends out of pouch 10. Straw assembly 16 includes a straw 18 which is connected to a valve 20 which is set at a first position where straw 18 is closed and liquid cannot flow therethrough. Valve 20 is moveable to a second position where straw 18 is open and liquid can flow therethrough. Valve 20 can selectively be moved between the first and second positions. A separable tear-away strip 22 covers that part of straw assembly 16 which lies outside of cavity 12.

Pouch 10 preferably is manufactured from at least one sheet of any suitable plastic or foil-type material that is heat sealed together, joined by an adhesive or connected together in any other suitable manner to form a hollow container. A suitable material for manufacturing pouch 10 is a polyolefin film such as the film manufactured and sold by DuPont Canada Inc. under the trademarks ENHANCE and MINI-SIP. The material of pouch 10 may be transparent or opaque. Pouch 10 has a first wall 24 and second wall 26 that are joined together along edges 28, 30, 32, and 34. Straw 18 extends through an aperture 40 in first wall 24. The material from which pouch 10 is manufactured substantially seals first wall 24 around straw 18 and substantially prevents liquid 14 from seeping out of aperture 40, even when external pressure is applied to pouch 10.

Tear-away strip 22 preferably extends from edge 32 to edge 34 of pouch 10 and lies substantially parallel to edges 28 and 30. Strip 22 completely covers that part of straw assembly 16 which extends out of pouch 10. Tear-away strip 22 is provided for sanitary reasons to prevent straw 18 from becoming contaminated or from being ripped out of pouch 10 during handling prior to use by the consumer. Tear-away strip 22 preferably is transparent and is heat sealed to the exterior surface of first wall 24. Strip 22 is also provided with a mechanism for accessing straw 18. This mechanism may take the form of a row of perforations 23 through which straw 18 may be pushed or may alternatively comprise a string (not shown) which can be pulled upwardly to cut through strip 22. Any other suitable mechanism for accessing straw could also be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is preferred that strip 22 remain permanently attached to pouch 10 to reduce littering of the environment, but it should be understood that strip 22 could be completely removed from pouch 10. Furthermore, tear-away strip 22 may be used as a label for pouch 10 and can include product information thereon.

Straw assembly 16 comprises an elongated tubular straw 18 which is slidably received within valve 20. Straw 18 is a commonly known drinking straw made of a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene. Straw 18 has a first end 36 and a second end 38 with a shaft 18a disposed therebetween. Shaft 18a of straw 18 extends partially through aperture 40 in first wall 24 of pouch 10 so that first end 36 of straw 18 lies outside cavity 12 and second end 38 of straw 18 lies inside cavity 12.

In accordance with the present invention, a preferred embodiment of valve 20 is shown in FIGS. 4-7. Valve 20 is completely retained within cavity 12 of pouch 10 and preferably is free-floating within liquid 14. Valve 20 has a width (shown as V-V′ in FIG. 8) and the aperture 40 in first wall 24 has a diameter (shown as Y-Y′ in FIG. 8). The width of valve 20 is greater than the diameter of aperture 40 and consequently valve 20 cannot be easily withdrawn from cavity 12 of pouch 10 without exerting undue force. A reinforcing material may be provided around aperture 40 to assist in preventing valve 20 from puncturing first wall 24. Valve 20 is molded as a one piece component having a base 42 and a substantially cylindrical plug 44 which extends outwardly therefrom. Base 42 includes a central region 46 with opposing coaxial arms 48, 50 extending outwardly therefrom. An area of decreased thickness lies intermediate central region 46 and each of arm 48 and 50. These areas of decreased thickness form hinges 52, 54 about which arms 48, 50 may be rotated inwardly through 90 degrees towards plug 44 in a manner that will be later described herein. Arm 48 is provided with an upwardly extending hook end 56 and arm 50 is provided with an upwardly extending catch end 58. Hook end 56 and catch end 58 are complementary shaped to interlock with each other when rotated inwardly toward plug 44. Each of hook end 56 and catch end 58 includes an arcuate upper surface, namely surfaces 60 and 62 respectively. When hook end 56 and catch end 58 are joined with each other, arcuate upper surfaces 60 and 62 form a cylindrical recess 64 (FIG. 8) through which plug 44 extends. Each of upper surfaces 60 and 62 include a first region 60a, 62a of a first diameter and a second region 60b, 62b of a second and greater diameter. Consequently, when hook end 56 and catch end 58 are joined together, as will be later herein described, recess 64 has an upper region 64a of a smaller diameter and a lower region 64b of a greater diameter. Hook end 56 includes a pair of notches 66 which are complementary sized, shaped and positioned to receive a pair of projections 68 formed on catch end 58. Notches 66 and projections 68 ensure correct alignment of hook end 56 and catch end 58 in the axial direction. Similarly, tapers 70 on hook end 56 (FIG. 4) engage in complementary shaped sockets 72 in catch end 58 to ensure correct alignment in the crosswise direction. It should be noted that when hook end 56 and catch end 58 are joined together, they form an outermost end 86 (FIGS. 8 &9) which is substantially flattened and can therefore substantially apply even pressure on the interior surface 24a of first wall 24.

It can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5 that plug 44 of valve 20 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a first region 44a of a first outside diameter and a second region 44b of a second outside diameter. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter. The tip 72 of plug 44 is tapered as at 44c to aid in engagement of straw 18 with plug 44. Plug 44 may be formed with a hollow interior 74. The inside diameter of straw 18 is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the first region 44a of plug 44.

Pouch 10 is assembled in the following manner. Valve 20 is assembled around second end 38 of straw 18 during manufacture. In order to accomplish this, straw 18 is rotated at a rate of between 800 rpm and 2800 rpm and is pushed onto plug 44 when plug 44 is in the position shown in FIG. 4. Second end 38 of straw 18 slides over tip 72 of plug 44, stretching slightly as it slides downwardly over tapered portion 44c of plug 44. Ultimately, tip 76 (FIG. 7-9) of straw 18 encounters shoulder 78 and then second region 44b of plug 44. The friction created by rotation of straw 18 is sufficient to heat second end 38 of straw 18 until it becomes soft enough to expand and become molded around second region 44b of plug 44. It should be noted that plug 44 has to be made of a material having a sufficiently high softening temperature relative to the softening temperature of straw 18, so that plug 44 is not deformed during engagement with the straw 18. The rotation and axial motion of straw 18 is continued until tip 76 of straw 18 abuts outer surface 46a of central region 46 of valve 20. The rotation of straw 18 is then stopped. While straw 18 is being rotated and pushed into contact with plug 44, arms 48, 50 of valve 20 are simultaneously rotated inwardly through 90 degrees and toward plug 44. This movement ceases when hook end 56 and catch end 58 interlock with each other and are connected together by ultrasonic welding. The recess 64 formed by the connected hook and catch ends 56, 58 (FIG. 8) includes a stop 82 in the region where the diameter of the arcuate surfaces of hook and catch ends 56, 58 changes from that of surface 60 to 60a and from that of surface 62 to 62a. The diameter of the upper region 64a of recess 64 (shown in FIG. 8) is substantially equal to the outer diameter of shaft 18a of straw 18. The diameter of lower region 64b of recess 64 is substantially equal to the diameter of the enlarged second end 38 of straw 18. The lower region 64b of recess 64 may be slightly distorted by the ultrasonic welding so that it has a slightly squashed shape. When straw 18 cools down, second end 38 of straw remains enlarged and retains the size and shape of second region 44b of plug 44. Enlarged second end 38 of straw 18 includes a shoulder 80 which contacts stop 82 when straw 18 is pulled out of engagement with plug 44. The engagement of shoulder 80 and stop 82 substantially prevents straw 18 from being pulled out of valve 20. It should be noted that because straw 18 is individually molded to a particular plug 44, the fit between straw 18 and plug 44 is extremely tight and this aids in prevent leakage of liquid 14 through valve when straw 18 is in the closed position. This method of manufacture avoids the difficulty of having to handle a straw with a preformed flange (not shown) and also avoids problems with variability in the dimensions of both straw 18 and plug 44, since each straw 18 is molded to fit the particular plug 44 with which it will be associated. Furthermore, valve 20 has a large enough cross-section (indicated by V-V′ in FIG. 8) to resist being pulled through aperture 40 in first wall 24 of pouch 10 when valve 20 is moved from the first position to the second position or is selectively moved between the first and second positions.

When straw 18 is secured within valve 20 to form straw assembly 16 as is described above, valve 20 is in the first position (FIG. 8) and the straw 18 is closed. First end 36 of straw 18 is then inserted punched through the plastic film from which pouch 10 is to be manufactured. This procedure results in aperture 40 being formed in the film. Pouch is formed around straw assembly 16, is filled with liquid 14 and is sealed. That part of straw assembly 16 extending out of pouch 10 is then rotated to lie in contact with the exterior surface of first wall 24. A tear-away strip 22 is adhesively secured to the exterior surface of first wall 24 so that it covers first end 36 of straw 18 as well as that portion of shaft 18a which lies outside pouch 10. The pouch 10 is then ready to be packaged and shipped to the retailer.

Referring to FIGS. 1-10, pouch 10 is used in the following manner. Once a consumer has purchased pouch 10, they need to access first end 36 of straw 18. In order to accomplish this, the consumer can apply pressure to pouch 10 by positioning their hands on either side of straw assembly 16 (which they can see through transparent tear-away strip 22) and squeeze. This causes first end 36 of straw 18 to break through tear-away strip 22 along the line of perforations 23 (FIG. 2). Alternatively, if a string-type release is used (not shown), the consumer may simply pull the string to allow first end 36 of straw 18 to protrude through tear-away strip 22. The consumer then grasps first end 36 of straw 18 and rotates first end 36 upwardly in the direction of arrow “A” (FIG. 2) until straw 18 is in the position shown in FIGS. 3&8. The consumer pulls first end 36 of straw upwardly in the direction of arrow “B” until outermost end 86 of valve 20 contacts the interior surface 24a of first wall 24. Continued movement of straw 18 in the direction of arrow “B” causes straw 18 to slide within valve 20 so that enlarged second end 38 of straw 18 slides off enlarged second region 44b of plug 44, over first region 44a and then over tapered region 44c. Second end 38 of straw 18 slides upwardly within valve 20 until shoulder 80 of enlarged second end 38 of straw 18 contacts stop 82 of valve 20. At this point upward movement of straw 18 is arrested and tip 76 of straw 18 is disposed substantially above tip 72 of plug 44. Liquid 14 within pouch 10 can then be sucked out of cavity 12 and through bore 84 of straw 18. The enlarged second end 38 of straw 18 fits snugly inside the recess 64 formed by the coming together of hook end 56 and catch end 58 of valve 20. Friction between the enlarged second end 38 of straw 18 and the inside of valve 20 in this area prevents straw 18 from moving freely within valve 20. When liquid is sucked through straw 18, this friction resists the tendency for the liquid to drag valve 20 with it and cause valve 20 to snap shut against the open end of the straw 18.

If the consumer has had sufficient to drink and they have not yet finished all the liquid 14 within pouch 10, straw 18 can be closed yet again so that liquid 14 does not accidentally flow out of pouch. This is accomplished in the following manner. The consumer pushes the straw 18 downwardly in the direction of arrow “C” (FIG. 10). This causes the straw 18 and valve 20 to be forced downwardly within pouch 10 until bottom end 88 of valve 20 contacts the interior surface 26b of second wall 26. Continued downward movement in the direction of arrow “C” causes straw 18 to slide within valve 20. Tip 76 of straw slides over tip 72 of plug 44, over tapered region 44c, over first region 44a and second region 44b. The downward movement of straw 18 continues until tip 76 abuts the upper surface 46a of central region 46 of valve 20. At this point, plug 44 blocks bore 84 of straw 18 and liquid 14 can no longer flow into bore 84. When the consumer wishes to drink additional liquid 14 from pouch 10 at a later time, the simply pull the straw 18 upwardly once again until bore 84 is unplugged yet again and liquid 14 can flow freely into bore 84 of straw. These steps can be repeated a number of times until the contents of pouch 10 are completely consumed. The straw assembly 16 can be manipulated within pouch 10 to reach pockets of liquid 14 as the pouch 10 becomes drained.

A second embodiment of the valve of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 11-16 and is generally indicated at 120. Valve 120 comprises a generally frusto-conical housing 170 and a stud 171 which are snap-fitted together and which lock the shaft 118a of a straw 118 therebetween. As may be seen from FIGS. 13 and 14, housing 170 has a longitudinal axis S-S′ and defines an interior tapered cavity 172 which is accessed through a first aperture 173 at one end and through a second, narrower aperture 174 at the other end. A plurality of flanges 175 are axially arranged around the interior wall 176 of housing 170. Interior wall 176 further includes an annular shoulder 177 formed a spaced distance inwardly of aperture 173 and an annular stop 178 formed proximate aperture 174. A plurality of axial apertures 168 may be provided in housing 170.

Referring to FIGS. 15 & 16, stud 171 comprises a generally cylindrical base 179 with a central plug 144 extending outwardly therefrom and along the longitudinal axis T-T′ thereof. Stud 171 may define an interior cavity 181 for ease of handling of stud 171. Base 179 tapers and is complementary sized and shaped to be received within interior cavity 172 of housing 170. Base 179 includes an end 179a and an annular groove 182 which circumscribes plug 144. Plug 144 has a first section 144a with a first diameter, a second section 144b with a second and greater diameter, and a third section 144c which is beveled. Plug 144 terminates in a tip 183. First aperture 173 of housing 170 is complementary sized and shaped to receive stud 171 therein. Second aperture 174 is complementary sized and shaped to receive straw 118 therein.

In order to assemble valve 120, straw 118 is rotated at between 800 rpm and 2800 rpm and is inserted into second aperture 174 of housing 170. Substantially simultaneously, stud 171 is inserted into first aperture 173. When end 138 of straw 118 engages third section 144c of plug 144, tip 184 of straw 118 slides easily thereover because of the bevel. Straw 118 becomes heated as it frictionally engages plug 144. Straw 118 stretches slightly as it slides over first section 144a of plug 144 and then expands as it slides over second section 144b. Second end 138 of straw becomes molded into the exterior size and shape of second section 144b of plug 144. A shoulder 185 (FIG. 11) is formed in second end 138 of straw 118 and the shape of second end 138 is retained when straw 118 cools down. Stud 171 is forced inwardly into housing 170 until end 179a of stud 171 engages shoulder 177 of housing 170. Stud 171 cannot be withdrawn from housing 170 because stops 186 engage end 179b of stud 171. Straw 118 cannot be completely withdrawn from housing 170 because shoulder 185 of straw 118 engages annular stop 178 in housing 170. Straw 118 is, however, slidably movable within valve 120 between a first position where tip 184 of straw 118 lies proximate bottom 187 of groove 182 (FIG. 11) and a second position where shoulder 185 of straw 118 lies in abutting contact with stop 178 of housing 170. In the first position, the bore 188 of straw 118 is blocked by plug 144 and liquid held within the pouch cannot enter bore 188. In the second position, straw 118 is pulled off plug 144 and liquid can enter bore 188 of straw 118.

Referring to FIG. 11, valve 120 is used in the same manner as the previous embodiment of valve, namely valve 20. Valve 120 and straw 118 form a straw assembly 116 which is retained partially within a pouch (not shown) and partially outside the pouch. When the consumer wishes to drink out of the straw 118, straw 118 is pulled upwardly as with the previous embodiment thereof until the outermost edge 190 of housing 170 engages the interior surface of the wall (not shown) of the pouch. Continued movement of the straw 118 causes the second end 138 of straw 118 to slide off second section 144b of plug 144, then off first section 144a and finally off third section 144c of plug 144. Liquid (not shown) can then flow into bore 188 of straw 118. It should be noted that the external diameter of the second end 138 of straw 118 is substantially the same as the internal diameter of the upper end of housing 170 proximate aperture 174. Consequently, the second end 138 of straw 118 is frictionally held within this upper end of housing 170. When the consumer has had sufficient liquid to drink, they push the straw 118 in the opposite direction until bottom end 192 of housing engages the interior wall of the bottom of the pouch (not shown). Continued movement of the straw in this direction causes the second end 138 of straw 118 to break free of the frictional attachment to the upper end of housing 170. Second end 138 slides back over third section 144c of plug, then first section 144a and finally second section 144b. Second end 138 continues to slide until the interior side of shoulder 185 engages the complementary shaped ledge 194 (FIG. 15). At this point, bore 188 of straw 118 is blocked by plug 144 and liquid cannot flow into straw 118. The consumer can repeat these steps any time they wish to either drink from straw 118 or wish to save some of the contents of the pouch for a later time.

A third embodiment of valve is shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 and is generally indicated at 220. All of the components of valve 220 are the same as those of the first embodiment, namely valve 20, except that a boss 250 extends outwardly from the tip 272 of plug 244. Boss 250 may extend outwardly from the center of tip 272 as is shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, or it may extend from tip 272 but proximate a side edge thereof (not shown). Boss 250 extends outwardly from tip 272 and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis R-R′ of plug 244. Boss 250 does, however, extend beyond the outermost edge 286 of valve 220. Boss 250 aids in preventing straw 218 from becoming disengaged from valve 220 and ensures the correct alignment of straw 218 and valve 220.

A fourth embodiment of valve is shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 and is generally indicated at 320. All components of the pouch 310 are the same as with the pouch 10 except that valve 320 lacks a plug for blocking straw 318. Valve 320 comprises a sleeve into which second end 338 of straw 318 is slidably received. When the consumer wishes to use straw 318, they break through the perforations (not shown) in tear-away strip 322 in the manner previously described, grasp first end 336 of straw 318 and rotate the first end 336 upwardly in the direction of arrow “C” (FIG. 20). When valve 320 encounters interior surface 324a of first wall 324 and straw 318 is pulled upwardly in the direction of arrow “D”, valve 320 slides off second end 338 of straw 318 and liquid 314 can then flow into straw 318. It will be understood that second end 338 of straw 318 may be enlarged so that it cannot be easily withdrawn through aperture 340 in first wall 324. Furthermore, instead of completely removing second end 338 of straw 318 from valve 320, valve 320 may be provided with a plurality of holes or slots (not shown) which will allow liquid to flow into valve 320, and consequently into straw 318, when straw 318 is only partially withdrawn from valve 320. Furthermore, second end 338 of straw may also be provided with a plurality of holes or slots (not shown) which can be aligned with holes or slots in valve 320 so that liquid 314 can flow into straw 318 both from valve 320 and through the holes in second end 338 of straw 318.

It will be understood that while the container described in the preferred embodiment of the invention is a flexible, plastic pouch, the straw assembly could be utilized in a box-type container. It will further be understood that while the above invention has been described as being useful as a container for drinkable liquids, the flexible pouch could also be used for liquids such as motor oil. In this instance, a first quantity of motor oil could be dispensed from the pouch through the tubular member by squeezing the pouch, the tubular member could be engaged with the valve when sufficient oil has been dispensed and could be disengaged from the valve at a later time when a second quantity of oil is to be dispensed.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims

1. A container for retaining liquids comprising:

a body having a first wall and a second wall and defining an interior cavity therebetween, the body being adapted to hold a quantity of liquid within the interior cavity; and wherein the first wall has an aperture formed therethrough;

an elongated tubular member received through the aperture in the first wall, such that a first part of the tubular member lies within the cavity of the body and a second part of the tubular member lies outside the body; and

a valve engaged with the first part of the tubular member; whereby said valve is set at a first position where liquid is prevented from flowing through the tubular member; and whereby the valve and tubular member are movable relative to each other to a second position where liquid can flow through the tubular member.

2. The container as set out in claim 1, wherein the body is a pouch manufactured from a flexible material.

3. The container as set out in claim 2, wherein the valve is free-floating within the interior cavity of the pouch.

4. The container as set out in claim 3, wherein the valve has a width and the aperture has a diameter and the width of the valve is greater than the diameter of the aperture; whereby the valve cannot be withdrawn from the cavity of the pouch through the aperture.

5. The container as set out in claim 4, wherein the tubular member is slidably receivable within the valve.

6. The container as set out in claim 5, wherein the tubular member is removable from the valve.

7. The container as set out in claim 5, wherein the tubular member cannot be completely withdrawn from the valve.

8. The container as set out in claim 7, wherein the elongated tubular member has an axial bore and the valve includes a plug; and wherein the plug is selectively receivable within the bore; and wherein the plug and bore are substantially equal in diameter.

9. The container as set out in claim 8, wherein the valve further comprises:

a base; and

a stop disposed a spaced distance from the base; and wherein the plug extends outwardly from the base and toward the stop.

10. The container as set out in claim 9, wherein the stop further defines an aperture through which the tubular member is received; and a first end of the tubular member is movable between the base and the stop of the valve.

11. The container as set out in claim 10, wherein the plug includes a first section of greater diameter disposed proximate the base and includes a tapered tip disposed remote from the base; and wherein the first end of the tubular member is receivable over the first section of the plug and is deformed thereby.

12. The container as set out in claim 11, wherein the first end of the tubular member is permanently deformed to be complementary in size and shape to the first section of the plug.

13. The container as set out in claim 12, wherein the first end of the tubular member includes an outer edge and an annular shoulder disposed a spaced distance therefrom; and wherein the shoulder is greater in diameter than the aperture in the stop of the valve.

14. The container as set out in claim 13, wherein the base includes:

a pair of arms extending outwardly from the base in opposing directions; each arm terminating in an end member;

a hinge section disposed between each arm and the base, the arms being foldable about the respective hinge section; whereby the arms lie substantially on either side of the plug.

15. The container as set out in claim 14, wherein the end members of the arms are connectable to form the stop of the valve.

16. The container as set out in claim 15, wherein the end members of the two arms include complementary sized and shaped sections which allow the end members to interlock with each other.

17. The container as set out in claim 16, wherein the end members each include arcuate surfaces which form the aperture in the stop when the end members are connected together.

18. The container as set out in claim 13, wherein valve comprises a first member and a second member; and wherein the first member includes the base and the plug and the second member includes the stop and aperture; and wherein the first and second members are complementary sized and shaped to interlock with each other.

19. The container as set out in claim 9, wherein the plug has a tip disposed remote from the base of the valve; and the valve has an outermost edge; and the wherein the plug further comprises a boss which extends outwardly from the tip of the plug beyond the outermost edge of the valve.

20. The container as set out in claim 19, wherein the boss extends outwardly from the center of the tip.

21. The container as set out in claim 20, wherein the boss extends outwardly from the tip proximate a side edge thereof.

22. The container as set out in claim 1, wherein the valve is selectively movable between the first position and the second position.

23. The container as set out in claim 2, where the pouch is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of plastics, foils and polyolefin films.

24. The container as set out in claim 1, further comprising a tear-away strip adhesively secured to an exterior surface of the first wall of the body, said tear-away strip being disposed over the second part of the straw assembly.

25. The container as set out in claim 24, wherein the tear-away strip includes a plurality of perforations therein.

26. The container as set out in claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a sleeve which completely surrounds the second end of the tubular member thereby preventing liquid from flowing into the tubular member.

27. A method of manufacturing a container for retaining liquids comprising:

providing a valve including a base with a plug extending outwardly therefrom;

providing an elongated tubular member having a bore therethrough;

rotating the tubular member;

pushing a first end of the rotating tubular member into contact with the plug, whereby the plug enters the bore of the rotating tubular member and the rotating tubular member heats up through frictional contact with the plug;

stopping the rotation of the tubular member;

pushing a second end of the tubular member through an aperture in a sheet of plastic film;

forming a pouch from the sheet of plastic film, whereby the valve and first end of the tubular member are enclosed within an interior cavity of the pouch;

filling the pouch with a liquid;

sealing the pouch.

28. The method of manufacturing a container as set out in claim 27, wherein the tubular member is rotated at a speed of between 800 rpm and 2800 rpm.

29. The method of manufacturing a container as set out in claim 28, wherein the valve further includes a pair of arms extending outwardly in opposing directions from the base, each arm including an end member; and wherein the valve further includes a hinge area disposed between each arm and the base; and wherein the method of manufacture further comprises the step of:

rotating the arms upwardly and inwardly through 90 degrees toward the plug on the base.

30. The method of manufacture as set out in claim 29, wherein the step of rotating the arms occurs simultaneously with the step of pushing the rotating tubular member onto the plug.

31. The method of manufacture as set out in claim 30, further comprising the step of:

ultrasonic welding the end members of the arms together about the tubular member to form a stop.

32. The method of manufacture as set out in claim 31, wherein the valve further includes a housing having a tapered internal cavity and an aperture with an annular stop; and wherein the method of manufacture further includes the step of:

inserting the tubular member through the aperture in the housing;

snap fitting the housing together with the base, whereby the plug extends inwardly into the internal cavity of the housing and toward the annular stop; and wherein the tubular member is received on the plug.