BEVERAGE PACKAGE

Abstract

A beverage package includes a container, a closure, and a straw. The container is formed to include a liquid-storage space and includes a floor, a sidewall, and a handle. The straw is arranged to extend into the liquid-storage space and is configured to withdraw liquid from the liquid-storage space upon application of a suction force on the straw.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/765,022, filed Feb. 28, 2025, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a beverage package, and particularly to a beverage package including a container. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a beverage package including a container, a straw, and/or a handle.

SUMMARY

According to the present disclosure, a beverage package includes a container and a straw. The container is formed to include a liquid-storage space. The straw is arranged to extend into the liquid-storage space and is configured to withdraw liquid from the liquid-storage space upon application of a suction force on the straw.

In illustrative embodiments, the straw includes a straw body and a straw mouthpiece. The straw body includes a first end arranged to extend into the liquid-storage space and an opposite second end arranged outside of the liquid-storage space. The straw mouthpiece is coupled to the second end of the straw body and has a first end arranged to lie between the first end and the second end of the straw body and a second end spaced apart from the second end of the straw body to provide a distal end of the straw.

In illustrative embodiments, the straw mouthpiece is configured to translate relative to the straw body from a retracted, high-firmness position to an extended, low-firmness position. In the retracted, high-firmness position, the second end of the straw mouthpiece is spaced a first distance from the second end of the straw body and straw mouthpiece has a first overlapping extent with the straw body to provide a first firmness when engaged by a user's lips. In the extended low-firmness position, the second end of the straw mouthpiece is spaced a second distance, greater than the first distance, from the second end of the straw body and the straw mouthpiece has a second overlapping extent with the straw body, less than the first overlapping extent, to provide a second firmness, less than the first firmness, when engaged by the user's lips.

In illustrative embodiments, the container includes a floor, a sidewall coupled to an outer periphery of the floor and extending in an upward direction away from the floor, and a handle coupled to an exterior surface of the sidewall. The handle includes a handle mount coupled to the sidewall, a handgrip foundation coupled to the handle mount, and a handgrip cover coupled to the handgrip foundation to provide at least a portion of an outer surface for the handle. In some embodiments, the handgrip cover has a Shore harness value within a range of about 25 A to about 40 A to provide a soft, ergonomic feel and texture for the user.

In illustrative embodiments, the handgrip cover includes an outer segment coupled removably with an outward facing surface of the handgrip foundation facing away from the sidewall of the container and an inner segment overmolded onto an inward-facing surface of the handgrip foundation facing toward the sidewall of the container. The inner segment and the outer segment are formed and attached to the handle foundation separately so that the handle cover can be formed with multiple tones, textures, materials, firmness, etc.

In illustrative embodiments, the handgrip foundation and the handgrip cover cooperate to provide a handgrip coupled to the handle mount and to at least partially define a finger-receiving space between a portion of the handgrip and the exterior surface of the sidewall. The handle further includes a handle clip coupled to the handgrip and movable relative to the container and the handgrip between a closed position engaged with the hand grip to provide a continuous perimeter for the finger-receiving space with the handgrip, and an opened position spaced apart from the handgrip to provide an inlet into the finger-receiving space so that the beverage package can be attached to a structure in the finger-receiving space.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a beverage package, in accordance with the present disclosure, including a container, a closure coupled removably with the container, and an adjustable-firmness straw inserted into an opening formed in the closure and into a liquid-storage space formed in the container to provide a more comfortable and adjustable drinking experience for a user;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the straw from FIG. 1 including a straw body and a straw mouthpiece coupled to the straw body for movement relative to the straw body between a retracted, high-firmness position and an extended, low-firmness position, as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the straw mouthpiece in the low-firmness position so that less force is needed to deform the straw mouthpiece for users that prefer straws with more flexibility in comparison to the high-firmness position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the straw from FIG. 2 with the straw mouthpiece depicted in cross section along line 4-4 in FIG. 2 and in the high-firmness position, showing an exterior surface of the straw body formed to include a first mouthpiece retainer and a second mouthpiece retainer and the straw mouthpiece including a mouthpiece anchor extending into the first mouthpiece retainer to retain the straw mouthpiece in the high-firmness position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the straw from FIG. 3 with the straw mouthpiece depicted in cross section along line 5-5 in FIG. 3 and in the low-firmness position, showing the mouthpiece anchor extending into the second mouthpiece retainer to retain the straw mouthpiece in the low-firmness position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective and diagrammatic view of the portion of the straw from FIG. 4 in the high-firmness position and being engaged by a users mouth and showing a lip region of the straw mouthpiece located directly radially outward of a portion of the straw body such that the straw body and the straw mouthpiece cooperate to provide a first firmness for the user's lips;

FIG. 7 is a perspective and diagrammatic view of the portion of the straw from FIG. 5 in the low-firmness position and the lip region being engaged by the user's mouth and offset axially from the straw body such that the only the straw mouthpiece provides a second firmness for the user's lips less than the first firmness;

FIG. 8 is an exploded assembly view of the beverage package of FIG. 1 showing the container including a floor, a sidewall, and a handle;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the beverage package of FIG. 1 showing the handle including a handgrip configured to be gripped by a user and a handle clip coupled to a lower end of the hand grip and to the sidewall of the container in a closed position to provide a portion of a boundary to a finger-receiving space formed by the handgrip and the handle clip;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the beverage package of FIG. 1 showing the handle clip in an opened position to provide an inlet into the finger-receiving space so that the beverage package can be attached to a structure such as a backpack or a lunch box;

FIG. 11 is an exploded assembly view of the handle further including, from left to right, an inner cover segment, a handle foundation, a carrier, and an outer comfort layer;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the handle assembled in which the inner cover segment is overmolded onto the handle foundation, the outer comfort layer is overmolded onto the carrier, and the carrier and comfort layer assembly is then attached to the handle foundation so that the inner cover segment and the outer comfort layer can be made from two different color tones, materials, firmness, etc.

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of a second embodiment of a beverage package including a container, a closure, and a straw, the container including a floor, a sidewall, and a handle coupled to the sidewall and having a c-shape when viewed from the side;

FIG. 14 is an exploded assembly view of the second embodiment of the beverage package of FIG. 13 showing the handle separated from the sidewall of the container;

FIG. 15 is an exploded assembly view of the handle including, from left to right, an inner cover segment, a handle foundation, a carrier, and an outer comfort layer, each having a c-shape when viewed from the side;

FIG. 16 is a partial exploded assembly view showing the inner cover segment overmolded onto the handle foundation and the outer comfort layer overmolded onto the carrier; and

FIG. 17 is a side view of the handle assembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A beverage package 10 includes a container 12, a closure 14, and a straw 16 as shown in FIG. 1. The container 12 is formed to include a liquid-storage space 18 configured to store liquid products. The container 12 is insulative to maintain a temperature of the liquid product in the liquid-storage space 18 over a relatively long period of time. For example, with the closure 14 fully installed on the container as shown in FIG. 1, the beverage package 10 is able to maintain or limit temperature deviations for 20-30 hours or more. The closure 14 is formed to include a straw-receiving space 20 into which the straw 16 extends to reach the liquid products so that a user can withdraw the liquid products from the liquid-storage space 18 upon application of a suction force on an exposed portion of the straw 16 outside of the liquid-storage space 18.

The straw 16 includes a straw body 22, a straw standoff 24, and a straw mouthpiece 26 as shown in FIGS. 2-5. The straw body 22 has a first end 28 arranged to extend into the liquid-storage space 18 and an opposite second end 30 arranged outside of the liquid-storage space 18. The straw standoff 24 is coupled to the first end 28 of the straw body 22 and is formed to include one or more notches or apertures 32 to allow fluid flow therethrough even when the straw standoff 24 is engaged with a floor of the container 12. In some embodiments, the straw standoff 24 has a wider diameter than the straw-receiving space 20 to block complete removal of the straw 16 from the straw receiving space 20. The straw mouthpiece 26 is coupled to the second end 30 of the straw body 22. Illustratively, the straw mouthpiece 26 has a first end 34 arranged to lie between the first end 28 and the second end 30 of the straw body 22 and a second end 36 spaced apart from the second end 30 of the straw body 22 to provide a distal end 16D of the straw 16 which the user engages with his/her lips. The straw mouthpiece 26 is configured to provide a more pleasant and adjustable drinking experience for the user in comparison to straws that do not include the mouthpiece 26.

The straw mouthpiece 26 is configured to translate relative to the straw body from a retracted, high-firmness position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, to an extended, low-firmness position, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. In the high-firmness position, the second end 36 of the straw mouthpiece 26 is spaced a first distance 38 from the second end 30 of the straw body 22 and the straw mouthpiece 22 has a first overlapping extent 40 with the straw body 22 to provide a first firmness when engaged by the user's lips. In the low-firmness position, the second end 36 of the straw mouthpiece 26 is spaced a second distance 42, greater than the first distance 38, from the second end 30 of the straw body 22 and has a second overlapping extent 44 with the straw body 22, less than the first overlapping extent 40, to provide a second firmness, less than the first firmness, when engaged by the user's lips.

In the illustrative embodiment, the straw body 22 includes one or more metal materials and the straw mouthpiece 26 includes one or more elastomeric materials. The straw body 22 may include one or more of stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, copper, etc. The straw mouthpiece 26 may include one or more of silicone, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPMD), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), Nitrile, and natural rubber. In the illustrative embodiment, the straw body 22 is stainless steel and the straw mouthpiece 26 includes silicone. The straw body 22 may consist of a metal, such as stainless steel. The straw body 22 may consist essentially of a metal, such as stainless steel. The straw mouthpiece 26 may consist of an elastomeric material, such as silicone. The straw mouthpiece 26 may consist essentially of an elastomeric material, such as silicone. The straw mouthpiece may be predominantly silicone (i.e. at least 50%) and include one or more additives or other elastomeric materials. The straw standoff 24 also includes one or more elastomeric materials, such as silicone. In other embodiments, the straw body 22 is formed to include the notches or apertures, or a ring with a wider diameter, to provide the same function(s) as the straw standoff 24.

The straw mouthpiece 26 is highly flexible and has a relatively low durometer value so that the straw mouthpiece 26 is more comfortable for a user's lips. The straw mouthpiece 26 includes a mid point 27 equidistant between the first end 34 thereof and the second end 36 thereof. The straw mouthpiece 26 is movable (i.e. bendable) relative to the straw body at the mid point 27 a first amount when the straw mouthpiece is in the high-firmness position as shown in FIG. 6. The straw mouthpiece 26 is movable relative to the straw body at the mid point 27 a second amount, greater than the first amount, when the straw mouthpiece 26 is in the low-firmness position as shown in FIG. 7. The first amount includes bending the straw mouthpiece about the mid point 27 by no more than 1 degree relative to a longitudinal axis 23 of the straw body 22. The second amount includes bending the straw mouthpiece 26 about the mid point 27 by at least 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis 23 of the straw body 22. In some embodiments, the straw mouthpiece 26 is bendable about the midpoint 27 by at least 15 degrees. In some embodiments, the straw mouthpiece 26 is bendable about the midpoint 27 by at least 45 degrees. In some embodiments, the straw mouthpiece 26 is bendable about the midpoint 27 by at least 120 degrees.

In some embodiments, movement of the straw mouthpiece 26 includes compressing the straw mouthpiece in a radially inward direction toward the longitudinal axis 23. At least a portion of the straw mouthpiece 26 is free to flex and compress when the straw mouthpiece 26 is in the low-firmness position such that an interior surface 46 of the straw mouthpiece 26 touches itself at diametrically opposite sides of the interior surface 46. This movement is not possible along the overlapping extent 40 while the straw mouthpiece 26 is in the high-firmness position because the straw body 22 blocks such movement.

The straw body 22 is formed to include a first mouthpiece retainer 48 and a second mouthpiece retainer 50 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The first mouthpiece retainer 48 and the second mouthpiece retainer 50 are spaced apart from on another in an axial direction along the longitudinal axis 23. Each mouthpiece retainer 48, 50 is configured to engage a portion of the mouthpiece 26 in a respective position along the straw body 22 to retain the straw mouthpiece 26 in the high-firmness position and the low-firmness position. The straw body 22 may be formed to include one or more additional mouthpiece retainers between the first and second retainers 48, 50 to provide one or more intermediate positions for the straw mouthpiece 26. In the illustrative embodiment, each mouthpiece retainer 48, 50 is an indentation formed into the straw body 22 and extending circumferentially around the longitudinal axis 23. In other words, the straw body 22 extends inwards toward the longitudinal axis 23 at each retainer 48, 50 to provide the indentations in an exterior surface 25 of the straw body 22. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece retainers 48, 50 may include a different structure, such as an outwardly-protruding rib, a notch, one or more tabs, etc.

The straw mouthpiece 26 may include a mouthpiece body 52 having the interior surface 46, a mouthpiece valve 54 coupled to the interior surface 46 of the mouthpiece body 52, and/or a mouthpiece anchor 56 coupled to the interior surface 46 of the mouthpiece body 52 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The mouthpiece body 52 is substantially cylindrical and has an inner diameter that is less than or equal to an outer diameter of the straw body 22 to provide a friction fit on the straw body 22. The mouthpiece valve 54 extends inward away from the interior surface 46 to impeded or block the flow of liquid out of the distal end 16D absent the user applying a suction force on the straw 16. The valve 54 also increases a rigidity of the mouthpiece 26 radially outward of the valve 54 and is positioned at a location generally corresponding with a region that users typically engage with their teeth (i.e. about 3 mm to about 8 mm from the distal end of the mouthpiece 26). The mouthpiece anchor 56 is configured to engage with the first mouthpiece retainer 48 in the high-firmness position and the second mouthpiece retainer 50 in the low-firmness position to block movement of the straw mouthpiece 26 relative to the straw body 22.

In the illustrative embodiment, the mouthpiece anchor 56 is a ring formed integrally with the interior surface 46 of the mouthpiece body 52 and having a shape complementary to the retainers 48, 50. The mouthpiece anchor 56 is configured to engage or extend into one of the mouthpiece retainers 48, 50 when the straw mouthpiece reaches the position corresponding with each respective mouthpiece retainer 48, 50. Interaction between the mouthpiece retainers 48, 50 and the mouthpiece anchor 56 may provide an audible snap or a tactile sensation to alert the user that the mouthpiece 26 is now in the desired position.

The mouthpiece 26 includes a lip region 60 between the first and second ends 34, 36 where a user's lips would typically reside while drinking from the straw 16 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The lip region 60 is generally defined as being within a range of and including about 5 mm from the second end 36 to about 30 mm from the second end 36. A majority or all of the lip region 60 has a durometer value within a range of about 50 A to 60 A when the mouthpiece 26 is in the high-firmness position. A majority or all of the lip region 60 has a durometer value within a range of about 30 A to about 50 A when the mouthpiece 26 is in the low-firmness position. It is noted that the durometer values above are not just of the material of the mouthpiece 26 itself, but include the structure of the mouthpiece 26 in relation to the underlying straw body 22 as well. In the high-firmness position, the straw body 22 reinforces the lip region 60 making it feel firmer to the user's lips. Conversely, in the low-firmness position, the straw body 22 is spaced apart from the lip region 60 making it feel softer to the user's lips.

The mouthpiece body 52 has a thickness 53 within a range of about 1 mm to about 3 mm as shown in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, the thickness is about 1.5 mm to about 2.5 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness 53 is about 2 mm. As used herein the term about is used to account for tolerances and measurement inaccuracies and can include values within 2 mm of the stated value.

The mouthpiece body 52 has a total height 55 within a range of about 40 mm to about 75 mm. In some embodiments, the height 55 is within a range of about 45 mm to about 60 mm. In some embodiments the height 55 is about 50 mm. As used herein the term about is used to account for tolerances and measurement inaccuracies and can include values within 2 mm of the stated value.

In some embodiments, the overlapping distances 40, 44 are directly proportionate to a durometer of the mouthpiece 26 in that a decrease in the distance 40, 44 corresponds to a decrease in the durometer value of the lip region 60. For example, overlapping distance 40 (45 mm) may correspond with a durometer value of 50 A-60 A thereby resulting in a ratio (overlapping distance/durometer) of 0.75-0.9 when the mouthpiece is in the high-firmness position. Likewise overlapping distance 44 (20 mm) may correspond with a durometer value of 30 A-50 A thereby resulting in a ratio of 0.4-0.67 when the mouthpiece is in the low-firmness position.

The container 12 includes a floor 62, a sidewall 64 coupled to an outer periphery of the floor 62 and extending in an upward direction away from the floor 62, and a handle 66 coupled to an exterior surface 65 of the sidewall 64 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8-10. The floor 62 and the sidewall 64 provide the liquid-storage space 18. The sidewall 64 is configured to interface with the closure 14 to retain the closure 14 on the container 12. In some embodiments, the interface between the sidewall 64 and the closure 14 is a threaded interface. In other embodiments, the interface between the sidewall 64 and the closure 14 is a friction-interference interface. The handle 66 is configured to be gripped by the user to carry the beverage package 10 and provides an ergonomic feel or texture to increase comfort for the user.

The handle 66 includes a handle mount 68 coupled to the sidewall 64, a handgrip foundation 70 coupled to the handle mount 68, and a handgrip cover 72 coupled to the handgrip foundation 70 as shown in FIGS. 8-12. The handle mount 68 is configured to mount the handle 66 to the sidewall 64. The handgrip foundation 70 rigidifies the handle 66 so that the container 12 is supported thereby while the handle 66 is being held and carried by the user. The handgrip cover 72 provides at least a portion of an outer surface for the handle 66 and provides the ergonomic feel or texture.

The handgrip cover 72 has a Shore A durometer value within a range of about 25 A to about 40 A. In some embodiments, the durometer value is within a range of about 30 A to about 40 A. In some embodiments, the durometer value is about 35 A. The term about can include durometer values within 2 A of the stated value.

The handgrip cover 72 includes an outer segment 76 coupled to an outward facing surface 78 of the handgrip foundation 70 facing away from the sidewall 64 of the container 12 and an inner segment 80 coupled to an inward-facing surface 82 of the handgrip foundation 70 facing toward the sidewall 64 of the container 12 as shown in FIGS. 8-12. The outer and inner segments 76, 80 each include one or more layers configured to provide the ergonomic feel or texture described above.

The outer segment 76 is coupled removably with the handgrip foundation 70 to facilitate manufacture of the handle 66 as shown in FIG. 11. The outer segment 76 includes a carrier 84 configured to mount on the handgrip foundation 70 and a comfort layer 86 overmolded onto the carrier 84 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The outer segment 76 is manufactured separately from the rest of the handle 66 to facilitate manufacture of the handle 66 and also allow for variability in color and or texture provided by the outer segment 76 and the inner segment 80. The inner segment 80 is overmolded directly onto the inward-facing surface 82 of the handgrip foundation 70 to facilitate manufacture of the handle 66. The carrier 84 includes a plurality of retainers or tabs 87 configured to interlock with corresponding features formed on the handgrip foundation 70 to retain the outer segment 76 to the handgrip foundation 70.

The inner segment 80 and the comfort layer 86 of the outer segment 76 each include an elastomeric material to provide a soft-touch feel or texture for the user. The elastomeric material is TPE in the illustrative embodiment, although other materials, such as silicone, nitrile, or EPMD are also suitable. The carrier 84 and the handgrip foundation 70 are each made from a material that is more rigid and has a greater hardness than the inner segment 80 and the comfort layer 86 of the outer segment 76. In the illustrative embodiment, the carrier 84 includes Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and the handgrip foundation 70 includes polypropylene (PP). The carrier 84 is formed from a more rigid material than the handgrip foundation 70 due to its location on the outward-facing surface of the handgrip foundation 70 where it is more prone to impacts if the beverage package 10 is dropped. Other suitable materials for the carrier 84 and the handgrip foundation 70 are also possible including a metal, Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate, Polycarbonate, High-Impact Polystyrene, Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol, etc.

The comfort layer 86 of the outer segment 76 and the inner segment 80 each have a thickness within a range of about 0.75 mm to about 1.25 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness is within a range of about 0.75 mm to about 4 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness is within a range of about 0.75 mm to about 3 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness is within a range of about 0.75 mm to about 2 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness is within a range of about 0.9 mm to about 1.1 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness is about 1 mm.

The handle mount 68 includes a mount ring 88 coupled to an upper end of the handle 66 and a mount bracket 90 coupled to a lower end of the handle 66 as shown in FIG. 8. The mount ring 88 is formed integrally with the handgrip foundation 70 and is configured to slide onto an upper end of the sidewall 64. The mount ring 88 may attach to the sidewall 64 using an interference fit, a threaded engagement, an adhesive, welding, brazing, soldering, etc. The mount bracket 90 is attached to the sidewall 64 and mounts the lower end of the handle 66 thereto using a fastener 92 after the mount ring 88 is slid onto the upper end of the sidewall 64. The mount bracket 90 may be attached to the sidewall by any suitable means including welding, brazing, soldering, adhesive fastener(s), etc. In some embodiments, the mount bracket 90 is omitted, such as when a lower end of the handle 66 is spaced apart from the sidewall 64.

The handgrip foundation 70 and the handgrip cover 72 cooperate to provide a handgrip 94 coupled to the handle mount 68 and configured to be griped by the user to lift and carry the beverage package 10. The handgrip 94 at least partially defines a finger-receiving space 96 between a portion of the handgrip 94 and the exterior surface 65 of the sidewall 64. The handle 66 further includes a handle clip 98 coupled to the handgrip 94. The handle clip 98 is movable relative to the container 12 and the handgrip 94 between a closed position, as shown in FIG. 9, and an opened position, as shown in FIG. 10. In the closed position, the handle clip 98 is engaged with the handgrip 94 to provide a continuous perimeter for the finger-receiving space 96 with the handgrip 94 and the sidewall 64. In the opened position, the handle clip 98 is spaced apart from the handgrip 94 to provide an inlet 99 into the finger-receiving space 96 so that the beverage package 12 can be attached to a structure, such as a strap on a backpack or a handle on a lunchbox, in the finger-receiving space 96.

A clip mount 100 is fixed to the side wall 64 by the mount bracket 90 and extends between and interconnects the mount bracket 90 and the handle clip 98 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The handle clip 98 is coupled to the clip mount 100 for pivotable movement relative to the clip mount 100 between the closed and opened positions. The handle clip 98 is mounted to the clip mount 100 by a pin 102 that provides a pivot axis for the handle clip 98. The handle clip 98 is preferably biased toward the closed position by a spring, such as a torsion spring or a plate spring. In some embodiments, the handle clip 98 may be fixed to the handgrip 94 to detach from the clip mount 100 or the side wall 64 in the opened position.

The handle clip 98 is coupled to a lower end of the handgrip foundation 70 to provide at least a portion of a bottom boundary to the finger-receiving space 96. This location for the handle clip 98 does not interfere with the operation of the closure 14 or the straw 16, nor does it position the handle clip 98 in a way that would interfere with a user's grip on the handgrip 94. This location also facilitates attaching the beverage package 10 to a structure by positioning the handle clip 98 close to the handgrip 94 for better installation accuracy while holding the beverage package 10 from the handgrip 94. The outer and inner segments 76, 80 each have a lower end spaced apart from the handle clip 98 so that the handle clip 98 engages directly with the handgrip foundation 70 in the closed position. This provides a more secure connection between the handle clip 98 and the handgrip 94 in the closed position.

A second embodiment of a beverage package 210 is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. The beverage package 210 is similar to beverage package 10 in that it includes a container 212, a closure 214, and a straw 216. Accordingly, the disclosure of beverage package 10 are hereby incorporated herein for beverage package 210 except for the differences between beverage packages 10, 210 described below.

The container 212 includes a floor 262, a sidewall 264, and a handle 266. The floor 262 and the sidewall 264 are substantially similar to the floor 62 and the sidewall 64 of container 12. The handle 266 does not include a handle clip as in handle 66. Instead, the handle 266 forms a c-shape when viewed from the side and attaches to the sidewall 264 at both an upper end thereof and a lower end thereof. Handle mounts 290 are included for both the upper end and the lower end of the handle and fasteners 292 attach the ends of the handle 266 to each respective mount 290.

The handle further includes a handle foundation 270, an inner cover segment 280, a carrier 284, and an outer comfort layer 286 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The handle foundation 270, the inner cover segment 280, the carrier 284, and the outer comfort layer 286 are substantially similar in structure and material as handle foundation 70, inner segment 80, carrier 84, and comfort layer 86 included in hand 66 except that each component has a c-shape as opposed to a L-shape. These components also attach to one another in the same manner as previously described in relation to handle 66. When filly assembled the handle foundation 270, the inner cover segment 280, the carrier 284, and the outer comfort layer 286 form a c-shaped handgrip 294 as shown in FIG. 17.

Claims

1. A beverage package comprising

a container formed to include a liquid-storage space and

a straw arranged to extend into the liquid-storage space and configured to withdraw liquid from the liquid-storage space upon application of a suction force on the straw,

wherein the straw includes: (i) a straw body having a first end arranged to extend into the liquid-storage space and an opposite second end arranged outside of the liquid-storage space and (ii) a straw mouthpiece coupled to the second end of the straw body and having a first end arranged to lie between the first end and the second end of the straw body and a second end spaced apart from the second end of the straw body to provide a distal end of the straw, wherein the straw mouthpiece is configured to translate relative to the straw body from a high-firmness position, in which the second end of the straw mouthpiece is spaced a first distance from the second end of the straw body and straw mouthpiece has a first overlapping extent with the straw body to provide a first firmness when engaged by a user's lips, to a low-firmness position, in which the second end of the straw mouthpiece is spaced a second distance, greater than the first distance, from the second end of the straw body and the straw mouthpiece has a second overlapping extent with the straw body, less than the first overlapping extent, to provide a second firmness, less than the first firmness, when engaged by the user's lips.

2. The beverage package of claim 1, wherein the straw body is formed to include a first mouthpiece retainer and a second mouthpiece retainer, and the straw mouthpiece includes mouthpiece body and a mouthpiece anchor configured to engage with the first mouthpiece retainer in the high-firmness position and to engage with the second mouthpiece retainer in the low-firmness position to block movement of the straw mouthpiece relative to the straw body.

3. The beverage package of claim 2, wherein the first mouthpiece retainer and the second mouthpiece retainer each include an annular slot formed into an exterior surface of the straw body.

4. The beverage package of claim 3, wherein the mouthpiece anchor includes an annular ring coupled to an interior surface of the mouthpiece body.

5. The beverage package of claim 1, wherein the straw body includes one or more metal materials and the straw mouthpiece includes one or more elastomeric materials.

6. The beverage package of claim 5, wherein the straw mouthpiece includes a mid point equidistant between the first end thereof and the second end thereof, and the straw mouthpiece is movable relative to the straw body at the mid point a first amount when the straw mouthpiece is in the high-firmness position and the straw mouthpiece is movable relative to the straw body at the mid point a second amount, greater than the first amount, when the straw mouthpiece is in the low-firmness position.

7. The beverage package of claim 6, wherein the first amount includes bending the straw mouthpiece about the mid point by no more than 1 degree relative to a longitudinal axis of the straw body and the second amount includes bending the straw mouthpiece about the mid point by at least 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the straw body.

8. The beverage package of claim 5, wherein the elastomeric material is predominantly silicone.

9. The beverage package of claim 1, wherein the container includes a floor, a sidewall coupled to an outer periphery of the floor and extending in an upward direction away from the floor, and a handle coupled to an exterior surface of the sidewall, the handle including a handle mount coupled to the sidewall, a handgrip foundation coupled to the handle mount, and a handgrip cover coupled to the handgrip foundation to provide at least a portion of an outer surface for the handle.

10. The beverage package of claim 9, wherein the handgrip cover has a Shore harness value within a range of about 25 A to about 40 A.

11. The beverage package of claim 9, wherein the handgrip cover includes an outer segment coupled removably with an outward facing surface of the handgrip foundation facing away from the sidewall of the container.

12. The beverage package of claim 11, wherein the handgrip cover further includes an inner segment overmolded onto an inward-facing surface of the handgrip foundation facing toward the sidewall of the container.

13. The beverage package of claim 12, wherein the outer segment and the inner segment each have a thickness within a range of about 0.75 mm to 1.25 mm.

14. The beverage package of claim 9, wherein the handgrip foundation and the handgrip cover cooperate to provide a handgrip coupled to the handle mount and to at least partially define a finger-receiving space between a portion of the handgrip and the exterior surface of the sidewall, and the handle further includes a handle clip coupled to the handgrip and movable relative to the container and the handgrip between a closed position engaged with the hand grip to provide a continuous perimeter for the finger-receiving space with the handgrip, and an opened position spaced apart from the handgrip to provide an inlet into the finger-receiving space so that the beverage package can be attached to a structure in the finger-receiving space.

15. The beverage package of claim 14, wherein the handle clip is coupled to a lower end of the handgrip foundation to provide at least a portion of a bottom boundary to the finger-receiving space and the handgrip cover includes an outer segment coupled to an outward facing surface of the handgrip foundation facing away from the sidewall of the container and an inner segment coupled to an inward-facing surface of the handgrip foundation facing toward the sidewall of the container, the outer and inner segments each having a lower end spaced apart from the handle clip so that the handle clip engages directly with the handgrip foundation in the closed position.

16. The beverage package of claim 1, wherein the container includes a floor, a sidewall coupled to an outer periphery of the floor and extending in an upward direction away from the floor, and a handle coupled to an exterior surface of the sidewall, the handle including a handle mount coupled to the sidewall, a handgrip coupled to the handle mount and to at least partially define a finger-receiving space between a portion of the handgrip and the exterior surface of the sidewall, and a handle clip coupled to the handgrip and movable relative to the container and the handgrip between a closed position engaged with the hand grip to provide a continuous perimeter for the finger-receiving space with the handgrip, and an opened position spaced apart from the handgrip to provide an inlet into the finger-receiving space so that the beverage package can be attached to a structure in the finger-receiving space.

17. A straw configured to extend into a liquid-storage space of a container and used to withdraw liquid from the liquid-storage space upon application of a suction force on the straw, the straw comprising

a straw body having a first end and an opposite second end, and

a straw mouthpiece coupled to the second end of the straw body and having a first end arranged to lie between the first end and the second end of the straw body and a second end spaced apart from the second end of the straw body to provide a distal end of the straw,

wherein the straw mouthpiece is configured to translate relative to the straw body from a high-firmness position, in which the second end of the straw mouthpiece is spaced a first distance from the second end of the straw body and straw mouthpiece has a first overlapping extent with the straw body to provide a first firmness when engaged by a user's lips, to a low-firmness position, in which the second end of the straw mouthpiece is spaced a second distance, greater than the first distance, from the second end of the straw body to provide a second firmness, less than the first firmness, when engaged by the user's lips.

18. The straw of claim 17, wherein the straw body is formed to include a first mouthpiece retainer and a second mouthpiece retainer, and the straw mouthpiece includes mouthpiece body and a mouthpiece anchor configured to engage with the first mouthpiece retainer in the high-firmness position and to engage with the second mouthpiece retainer in the low-firmness position to block movement of the straw mouthpiece relative to the straw body.

19. The straw of claim 18, wherein the first mouthpiece retainer and the second mouthpiece retainer each include an annular slot formed into an exterior surface of the straw body.

20. The straw of claim 19, wherein the mouthpiece anchor includes an annular ring coupled to an interior surface of the mouthpiece body.