CONTAINER AND WITHDRAWAL SYSTEM

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a withdrawal system, particularly to a system including an adjustable tube positioned or able to be positioned in a container.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

A container may generally be used to hold a selected material, such as a liquid, gas, or solid. In various configurations a container may be held by a person or supported by a platform for holding the selected material. The container may then be accessed to obtain the material from within the container at a selected time.

Certain containers may be used to hold or contain fluids for use by a person or community at a selected time. For example, a container may be used to hold water or other drinkable fluid for a period of time. To ensure that the container maintains the fluid within the container, the container may include a lid that is fixable to, but able to be removed from, the container, such as having a screw-on lid.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

A container system may contain a selected material for access at a selected time. For example, the container may include a graspable container that is sized to be held by a hand of a human. The container, however, may also be sized in any appropriate manner for selected purposes. The material within the container may be accessed by pouring material out of the container, such as a liquid. In various embodiments, however, an elongated tube may also be positioned within the container. The elongated tube may also be referred to herein as a straw. Connected to the straw may be a mouthpiece that engages and is generally sealed to the straw. For example, a user (e.g., a human user) may engage the mouthpiece with the user's mouth and lips and cause a suction within the mouthpiece to form a vacuum within the mouthpiece and, therefore, a vacuum within the straw to draw liquid through the straw and out the mouthpiece.

Positioned within the straw may be one or more materials, such as a filter that allows for filtering the fluid within the container. The filter may be formed of a selected material, such as a block carbon, textile material, textile impregnated with a selected material (e.g. activated carbon), or other appropriate materials.

The straw may be adjustable. In various embodiments, the straw may include more than one member that may move relative to one another. The straw may have flexible or breakable portions to adjust a total length of the straw. Thus, the straw may be adapted to operate with a plurality of height containers. The straw, however, may maintain the configuration for a generally sealed configuration with a low pressure drop to allow ease of withdraw, particularly through the filter.

The straw may be connected to a cap. The cap may be fixable to the container. The cap may be adapted to engage a plurality of sizes of containers. The cap may include selected thread sizes and/or configurations. Further, one or more adapters may be provided to adapt the cap to more than one bottle configuration.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a container;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a straw assembly;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the straw assembly taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is a detailed cross-sectional view taken from FIG. 3 of an adjustable straw assembly in a first position, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 4B is a detailed cross-sectional view taken from FIG. 3 of a straw assembly in a second positon, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 4B′ is a detailed view of an alternative or additional view of a straw assembly in the second position, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 5A is a detailed exploded view of a container enclosure system, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 5B is a exploded view of a closure and straw assembly system engaging a container;

FIG. 5C is an assembled cross-sectional view of a container enclosure system with a straw assembly in a user selected position, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a terminal end of a straw assembly, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a terminal end of a straw assembly, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of a terminal end of a straw assembly, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 9A is a detailed view of a closure system having a first container engagement configuration;

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view from FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a container, adaptor, and a closure system, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 11 is a view of a closure and container assembly, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a closure assembly, an adaptor, and a container engagement configuration, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 13A is a detailed view of a closure system and container, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken from FIG. 13A;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are an environmental view of a straw assembly and container, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 15 is an environmental view of a container and straw assembly, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 16 is an environmental view of a container and straw assembly, according to various embodiments; and

FIGS. 17A and 17B are an environmental view of a container and straw assembly, according to various embodiments.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

With reference to FIG. 1, a container assembly 20 is illustrated. The container assembly 20 generally includes a container 24 that defines at least a portions of an internal volume 25 and a closure assembly 26. As discussed further herein, the closure assembly 26 may include a handle 30, a lid 34, and a base lid or closure base portion 38. The closure assembly 26 may engage the container 24 via or through the base 38, as discussed further herein.

The container 24 includes a first end 42, which also may be referred to as a bottom end 42, and second end 46, which may also be referred to as a top end 46. Near or at the top end 46 may be an engagement or closure engagement feature or wall 49 (FIG. 5C) that may include an externally threaded wall and/or an internally threaded wall. As discussed further herein, the base 38 may include a selected engagement portion to engage the closure of the container 24.

The container 24 further includes an external wall or surface 60 that extends from the bottom end 42 to the top end 46. The wall 60 may be formed as a single piece, such as in a single extrusion, molding, or forging of a selected material. In various embodiments, the container 24 may be formed of a thermoplastic or other appropriate polymer material. In various embodiments, the container 24 may include a single wall structure where the wall 60 has an external surface and an internal surface where the internal surface defines the internal volume 25 of the container 24. Further, the bottom 42 and the top 46 may be formed of separate members that are connected to the wall 60 and/or may be formed as a single piece with the wall 60, as mentioned above, and as generally understood in the art. In various embodiments, with reference to FIG. 5C, a container 24′ may have a double wall 60a and 60b. It is understood, therefore, that the wall of the container 24, 24′ may include any appropriate number of wall portions.

Generally the container 24 may have a substantially cylindrical wall that is smooth and has a generally or substantially straight outer wall in cross-section that extends from the bottom 42 to near the top 46. The closure assembly 26, however, including the base 38 may form a tapered or angled edge or surface 82. The closure system 26 may be made of selected materials, with pieces that may be formed separately, including formed of Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

The surface 82 may be formed or defined by the base 38, such as in a first base portion 84 having a first surface portion 86 and a second surface 88 of a second base portion 92. The first base portion 86 and a second base portion 92 may be interconnected, as discussed further herein. The base 38 may be formed to have a truncated cone shape and configuration. Further, the base 38 may define one or more thread portions, such as an internal thread that may engage the container 24. Also, the closure assembly 26 may include a trigger or operational button 96 that may be operated by a user to open or close the cap 34 relative to the base assembly 38. With brief reference to FIG. 5C, when the button 36 is depressed, a catch may be released and a biasing member, such as a spring 98, may cause the top 34 of the closure to open by moving about an axle or hinge 100 generally in the direction of arrow 102.

With continuing reference to FIG. 5C and FIG. 1, the container assembly 20 includes the closure system 26 which may include a mouthpiece 110 that may be engaged by a mouth of a user, such as being placed in a mouth and a user enclosing lips around the mouthpiece 110. Once enclosed, the user may draw material from within the container 24 through a withdrawal tube 120. The withdrawal tube 120, also referred to as a straw or straw assembly 120, generally extends along an axis 124. The straw 120 may include a proximal portion 128 that is connected to the mouthpiece 110. The straw 120, therefore, as discussed further herein, may be positioned within the container 24 for assisting in withdrawing material therefrom.

In various embodiments, the container 24 and/or the closure 26 may include portions that are similar and/or identical to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2020/0138212 (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/664,440) published May 7, 2020, incorporated herein by reference.

As discussed above, the tube assembly 120 includes a first or upper end 132 which may include the mouth engaging piece 128. The mouthpiece engaging portion 128 may include a cylinder or projection having an exterior wall 134 that may engage the mouthpiece 110. The upper portion 132 may be formed as a single member with an upper containment region or portion 138 and/or separate therefrom. Accordingly, the mouthpiece engaging portion 128 may be formed integrally with the cartridge holding portion 138 or separate therefrom. The cartridge holding portion 138 may hold a filter member 142. The filter member 142 may be formed of an appropriate material or assembly of materials, such as a carbon block or other appropriate filter material. The filter member 142, therefore, may be provided in the cartridge holding portion 138 to allow for filtering of a material drawn (e.g., fluid including water) from the volume 25 through the mouthpiece 110. The operation of the filter member 142 and the cartridge holding region 138 may include a process similar to that described in the U.S. Pat. Application Publication No. 2020/0138212, as referenced above.

Extending from the cartridge holding portion 138 may be an adjustable region 150. The adjustable region 150 may include a first fixed portion 154 that may be fixed to the cartridge holding region 138. The fixed portion 154, therefore, may be fixed relative to the cartridge holding region 138 and generally not movable relative thereto. Further, the fixed portion 154 may be fixed relative to the mouth piece 110. As discussed above, the mouthpiece 110 may further be connected (e.g., fixed) to the closure assembly 26.

The adjustable region 150 may further include an extendible or movable member 158 that may move relative to the fixed portion 154 generally in the direction of the double headed arrow 162. The movable member 158 may generally move relative to the fixed portion 154 based upon engaging a selected portion of the container 24, as discussed further herein. A user may move the movable member 158 relative to the fixed portion 154 to assist in selecting an overall length from the top end portion 132 to a distal end or tip 166, which may also be referred to as a terminal end.

The adjustable region 150 may include a central bore or cannula 168 that allows material to be drawn through the adjustable region 150 toward the filter 142 and through the mouthpiece 110 along a flowpath 120p (FIG. 5C). The adjustable region 150, however, may generally provide a substantially liquid tight seal as discussed further herein. The adjustable region 150 may further provide a fluid tight seal that is substantially or entirely airtight. Generally, the adjustable region 150 allows a user to draw a vacuum into the straw 120 through the mouthpiece 110 without an excessive exertion on the part of the user.

As illustrated in the FIGS. 2-4B and particularly in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the fixed region 154 may include a terminal or end internal wall 172 that may be substantially cylindrical. As discussed above, the straw 120 may extend along the axis 124 and the wall 172 may be substantially parallel therewith. The movable member 158 may also include an external wall or surface 176 that may also be substantially cylindrical and/or parallel with the central axis 124. The internal wall 172 may have an interference fit or engagement with the external wall 176. In various embodiments, for example, the internal wall 172 may include an inner diameter 178 and the outer surface 176 may include an outer diameter 182. The inner diameter 178 and the outer diameter 182 may be substantially equivalent or equal. In various embodiments, however, the inner diameter 178 may be greater than the outer diameter 182. Therefore, the internal diameter 178 may have a dimension of about 5 millimeters (mm) to about 20 mm including about 8 mm to about 12 mm, and further including about 10 mm. The internal wall 172, therefore, may have a cross-sectional area that is about 20 square centimeters to about 50 square centimeters, including about 30 to about 40 square centimeters, and further including about 33 square centimeters. The outer diameter 182, therefore, may be substantially the same as the internal diameter 178, as discussed above, or include a dimension that is about 0.01 mm to about 1 mm, including about 0.01 mm to about 0.1 mm smaller than the internal diameter 178.

In various embodiments, one or more materials may be selected for the fixed portion 154 and the movable member 158 may be selected to form a substantially fluid tight seal with the selected interference fit between the outer surface 176 and the inner wall 172. In various embodiments, however, a separate sealing member 188 may be provided. The sealing member 188 may include a selected overhang that may be formed of a selected material, such as a silicone rubber, an elastomeric material such as a Thermo-Plastic-Elastomer (TPE), and/or an ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM). The sealing member 188 may include an internal diameter that is less than the inner diameter 178 of the cylindrical portion 172 such that it frictionally engages the outer surface 176 of the movable member 158. Thus, a fluid tight seal, such as gas tight and liquid tight, may be formed relative to the movable member. The sealing member 188 may be held within a notch or groove 192 of the fixed member 154. A holding portion or member 196 may be fixed to a distal or terminal end 198 of the fixed member 154 and/or may be formed during formation of the fixed portion 154. Nevertheless, the sealing member 188 may be positioned relative to the fixed portion 154 to engage the movable member 158. The sealing member 188 either alone or in combination with the internal surface 172 may form the fluid tight seal relative to the movable member 158.

In other words, a fluid tight seal may be formed between the fixed portion 154 and the moveable portion 158. Thus, a flow of a fluid may be through the fixed portion 154 and the moveable portion 158 and not around the moveable portion 158 and into the fixed portion 154. The fluid tight seal may be formed with an interference fit alone, as discussed above, and/or with the sealing member 188. Regardless, the seal may ensure that a fluid may flow only along the flowpath 120p if selected.

The fixed portion 154 may include a proximal or second region 202 that may also be cylindrical and/or include an angle 206 relative to the central axis 124. In various embodiments, the second portion 202 may include an internal diameter 208 that is greater than the internal diameter 178, if the second region 202 is substantially cylindrical, such that an interference is not substantially formed with the movable member 158 when or if the moveable member is within the second portion 202. The second portion 202 may also be angled and taper away from the central axis 124 so as also not to form a friction or engagement with the movable member 158. Accordingly, the fixed or cylindrical region or wall 172 may form a selected fit with the movable member 158 to hold the movable member 158 in a selected position, as discussed further herein even if the second portion does not. The interference between the inner surface 172 and the outer surface 176 may hold the movable member 158 relative to the fixed portion 154 either alone or in combination with the sealing member 188 if provided.

Further, with reference to FIG. 4B′ a straw assembly 120′ is illustrated. The straw assembly 120′ may be similar to the straw assembly 120 except that it includes an intermediate or additional member 158a. The intermediate member 158a may be positioned and moveable between the fixed member 154 and the adjustable member 158. Thus, the adjustable member 158 may seal and be moveable relative to the intermediate member 158a. Also, the intermediate member 158a may seal and be moveable relative to the fixed member 154. The flowpath 120a may be formed through all of the adjustable member 158, the intermediate member 158a, and the fixed member 154.

The straw assembly 120′ may be made of similar, identical, or different materials than the straw assembly 120. The entire assembly 120′ and/or portions thereof may be formed of selected polymers, rubbers, or synthetic rubbers. For example, the each of the members 158, 158a and the sealing member 1858 may be formed of one or more of an elastomeric material such as a Thermo-Plastic-Elastomer (TPE), silicone, and/or an ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM).

In various embodiments, such as in use by a user, the movable member 158 may be moved in a first direction 162a to a first or extended position. At a selected time, the movable member 158 may have the terminal end or tip 166 engage a surface such that a force applied moves the movable member 158 in the direction of arrow 162b relative to the fixed member 154 to a second position. For example, a user may engage a surface 202 of the container 24, or an appropriate container, and cause the moveable member 158 to move relative to the fixed member 154 and/or the mouthpiece 110 and/or the closure 26. Therefore, the movable member 158 may move generally along the axis 124 in the direction of the arrows 162.

With reference to FIGS. 5A-5C, a use of the straw assembly 120 is discussed and illustrated. Generally, the straw assembly 120 may be positioned within the container 24 and self-adjust due to interaction of the tip 166 of the movable member 158 with the internal surface 220 of the container 24. In various embodiments, the movable member 158 may be entirely withdrawn and/or removed from the fixed or immovable portion 154. Accordingly, a user may substantially clean the entire length of the movable member 158 and reinsert the movable member 158 into the fixed portion 154, such as generally into the cylindrical region 172. The user may further draw the movable member 158 to a maximum dimension or height 224 relative to the top region or portion 132. The maximum extent 224 may generally be any appropriate maximum length and may generally allow that a selected portion or length, such as about 0.1 centimeters (cm) to about 1 cm of the movable member 158 is maintained within the immovable portion 154 and relative to the cartridge region 138.

The movable member 158, once at the maximum dimension or at a selected extent removed or pulled out from the fixed region 154 may be moved relative to the container 24, such as generally into or through the closure region or wall 49 of the container 24. As the straw assembly 120 is passed through the opening or closure region 49 it is moved into the container volume 25 within the container 24. When the distal tip 166 engages the bottom surface 220 of the container 24, but force is still being applied (e.g., by the user) thus making the movable member 158 may move generally in the direction of the arrow 162b toward the fixed region 154 of the straw assembly 120. The user may continue to move the closure member 26 to which the straw assembly 120 is connected generally in the direction of the arrow 162a to move the closure 26 toward the container closure portion 49. The user, therefore, may continue to compress the movable member 158 into the cylindrical wall region 172 of the fixed portion 154.

As the user continues to move the closure member 26 toward the container closure portion 49 and compress the movable straw portion 158, the user may cause the straw assembly 120 to self-adjust or adjust the length of the straw assembly 120. With reference to FIG. 5C, the user may connect the closure member 26 to the container 24 in an appropriate manner, as discussed further herein. Once the closure member 26 is fully engaged or engaged a selected amount with the container 24, the straw assembly 120 may reach a usable or adjusted length 230. The adjusted length 230 may be due to movement of the enclosure member 26 toward the container 24 generally in the direction of arrow 162a and movement of the movable member 158 toward the fixed portion 154 generally in the direction of arrow 162b.

The adjusted length 230, therefore, may be substantially self-achieved or self-adjusting due to movement of the enclosure 26 relative to the container 24. As discussed above, the interaction of the movable member 158 with either the sealing portion 188 and/or the cylindrical surface 172 may provide a fluid-tight seal to allow the user to withdraw fluid from the container volume 25 via the mouthpiece 110. The straw assembly 120, however, may be used in a plurality of heights of containers and/or heights of the volume 25 due to the adjustment of the movable portion 158 relative to the fixed portion 154.

Further, the straw assembly may include the filter member 142 and the cartridge or filter region 138 and provide a filtering of fluid that passes through the straw assembly 120. The filter member 142 may be formed in any appropriate manner, as discussed above. The filter member 142 may further allow the user to filter a material (e.g. a fluid such as water) by withdrawing the material through the straw assembly 120. The moveable member 158, however, allows the straw assembly 120 to be used in a plurality of container dimensions.

As noted above, the straw assembly 120 may include the terminal tip 166. The terminal tip 166, however, may be provided relative to various draw portion or areas (e.g., bores) relative to the movable member 158. With reference to FIG. 6, the movable member 158 that extends along the axis 124 may include a distal surface 240 that extends along a plane or line 244. The surface 240 extending along the plane 244 may be formed at an angle 248 relative to the long axis 124. The angle 248 may generally be non-zero and non-perpendicular angle. Therefore, the angle 248 may generally be between about greater than zero degrees and about less than 90 degrees, including about 10 degrees to about 50 degrees. The surface 240 formed relative to the terminal tip 166 allows for access for a fluid to move generally in the direction of arrow 252 into the movable member 158. The surface 240 being formed relative to or at the angle 248 can insure an opening of a void or bore 256 near the terminal tip 166 and through the end surface 244. The void 256 allows for passage of fluid even when the terminal tip 166 is in contact with a surface, such as the bottom surface 220 of the container 24.

With reference to FIG. 7, a movable member 158′ is illustrated. The movable member 158′ may be similar to the movable member 158 and include the terminal end 166. The movable member 158, however, may include a passage or slot 260 formed by an opening 264 in the wall 266 of the movable member 158′. The passage 260 may be formed as a bore or void in the wall 266. The passage 260 may allow the fluid to pass through the movable member 158′ even when the terminal tip 166 is in contact with the surface 220 of the container 24.

With reference to FIG. 8 a movable member 158″ is illustrated. The movable member 158″ includes the terminal end 166. The terminal end 166 may include one or more gaps or voids 270 formed through a wall 274 of the movable member 158″. The voids 270 may extend entirely through the terminal end 166 such that the terminal end 166 is segmented. The voids 270 may be formed relative to the central axis 124 of the movable member 158″ and allow for passage of fluid from the container volume 25 to the movable member 158 and to the mouthpiece 110. The voids 270 that are formed through the wall 274 to or adjacent to the terminal tip 166 allow for the terminal end or tip 166 to be in contact with the surface 220 of the container 24 while allowing drawing of fluid through the slots 270 and through the movable member 158″.

According to various embodiments, therefore, the movable member 158 may include the terminal tip 166 that may contact the bottom surface 220 of the container 24. The respective voids or passages 256, 260, 270 allow for fluid to pass through the movable members 158, 158′, 158″ even when the terminal tip 166 is in contact with the surface 220. Further, the terminal tip 166 may contact the surface 220 to allow for adjustment of the movable members 158, 158′, and 158″ to achieve the adjusted height 224. It is further understood that the terminal tip 166 may have appropriate voids or passages formed relative thereto, including those discussed above to allow access to the internal passage 168 of the movable member and the straw assembly 120 even when the terminal tip 166 is in contact with the end surface 220.

The straw assembly 120 is associated with the closure assembly 26. The straw assembly 120 may be an adjustable straw assembly, as discussed above, allowing the movable member 158 to move relative to the fixed portion 154. Accordingly, the straw assembly 120 may be used with a plurality of different containers having different dimensions, such as container heights or internal volume heights (FIG. 5C). Further, the closure assembly 26 associated with the mouthpiece 110 and/or the straw assembly 120 may be provided with various constructs to engage different or a plurality of containers 24, 24′.

With reference to FIG. 9, the closure assembly 26 may include the base 38. The base 38 may define an internal thread 300. The internal thread 300 may be defined within the base 38 in any appropriate manner, such as by molding, machining, or the like. Generally the internal thread 300, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, may be formed internal of the base 38. In various embodiments, the base 38 may have an internal thread dimension 304 that is about 40 mm to about 80 mm, including about 50 mm to about 70 mm, and further including about 60 mm, such as about 63 mm. The internal maximum threaded dimension may engage selected container closure portions 49, such as those including external threads. The threads 300 further include a thread height 308 that is about 1 mm to about 4 mm, including about 2 mm to about 3 mm, and further including 2.5 mm. The thread 300 may include a thread pitch 312 that may be about 2 mm to about 6 mm, including about 3 mm to about 5 mm, and further including about 4 mm. Accordingly, the base 38 may include the threads 300 that may engage the bottle connection 49 in an appropriate manner. The base 38 may be formed with the connection portion 26 in any appropriate manner.

In various embodiments, the base 38 of the connection portion 26 may be selected to be used with a bottle connection portion 49 that includes an internal thread. For such an instance, an adaptor 320 may be provided. The adaptor 320 may include an external thread 324 that may be engaged by the internal thread 300 of the base 38. The adaptor 320 may further include an external thread 330 that may engage in internal thread 334 of the container connection portion 49. The external thread 330 may have selected dimensions. For example the threads 330 may include a maximum eight that is about 10 mm to about 30 mm, including about 15 mm to about 20 mm, and further including about 18 mm. Further the threads 330 may include a minimum dimension 344 that is about 20 mm to about 60 mm, including about 30 mm to about 50 mm, and further including about 40 mm. The thread 330 may further, therefore, include a thread height 348 that is about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, including about 1 mm to about 2 mm, and further including about 1.7 mm. The thread 330 may further include a width 352 that is about 1 mm to about 4 mm, including about 2 mm to about 3 mm, and further including about 2.8 mm. The thread 330 may include a pitch 354 that is about 1 mm to about 10 mm, including about 2 mm to about 8 mm, and further including about 5 mm. The thread 330 of the adaptor 320 may engage the internal threads 334 of the container engaging portion 49. The internal threads 300 of the base 38 may then engage the external threads 324 of the adaptor 320. In this way, the connection portion 26 may be connected to the container 24 even if the container engaging portion 49 includes an internal thread 334 while the base 38 includes the internal thread 300.

With reference to FIG. 11, the connection portion 36 may include a connection portion 36′. The connection portion 36′ may be substantially similar to the connection portion 26 save that the connection portion 26′ does not include the base 38 with the internal thread 300. Rather, the connection portion 26 may include an external thread 370 formed on an outer surface of a base 374 of the connection 26′. The thread 370 may include dimensions similar to the external thread 330 of the adaptor 320. Therefore, the threads 370 of the connection 26′ may fit to the container 24 that includes the internal thread at the connection portion 49. With the connection portion 26′, the adaptor 320 need not be used to connect with the container having the internal threads of the container engaging portion 49.

The connection portion 26′ may be connected to a container having an external thread at the container engaging portion 49′. An external thread 380 may include dimensions substantially complementary to the thread 300 as discussed above. Accordingly, an adaptor 390 may be provided with internal threads 300′ that is substantially similar to the internal threads 300, as discussed above. The adaptor 390 may further include internal threads 394 that are complementary to the external threads 370 of the connector 26′. The adaptor 390 may then engage the external threads 380 at the container engaging portion 49′ with the container. The connection portion 26′ may have the external threads 370 that engage the internal threads 394 of the adaptor 390. This allows the connection portion 26′ to be connected with the container including the external threads 380 of the container engaging portion 49′. Thus the connection portion 26′ may be used on a plurality of bottle types including internal and external threads.

As discussed above, therefore, the various connection portions 26, 26′ may be connected with various different bottle portions to provide the connection portion 26 therewith and the adjustable straw 120 therewith. The connection portions 26 may include sealing members, such as gaskets or O-rings including an internal sealing member 400 and the connection portion 26 and an external gasket 410 and the connection member 26′. The sealing members 400, 410 may be provided to assist in ensuring a fluid tight seal relative to the respective adaptors 320, 390 and/or the respective container engaging portion 49, 49′. The sealing portions may have a selected dimension and/or durometer to ensure or assist in ensuring a fluid tight seal. In various embodiments, for example, the sealing members 400, 410 may include a Shore A hardness that is about 40, including a selected range of about +/−5. In various embodiments, however, the sealing member 400, 410 may also be formed of a material including a durometer having a Shore A hardness of about 60 including a selected range of about +/−5. Accordingly the various, sealing members 400, 410 may be formed to compress and seal when the selected connection member 26, 26′ engages the respective threaded portion to provide the fluid tight seal.

As discussed above, various connection portions 26 may be interconnected with a selected container 24. With reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B a connection portion 26″ is illustrated. The connection portion 26″ may include portions similar to those discussed above, including the lid 34. The connection portion 26″ further includes a base 400. The base 400 may include an outer wall 404. The base 400 may further include an internal thread 410 and an external but “captured” thread 414. The internal thread 410 may be formed on an interior portion of the outer wall 404. The internal thread 410 may include characteristics substantially similar to the thread 300 discussed above. The external but captured thread 414 may be formed on an external surface of a central member or portion 418 of the base 400. The external but captured thread 414 may include characteristics substantially similar to the thread 330 discussed above. Accordingly, the single base portion 400 may include both the thread 410 that is similar or identical to the thread 300 and the thread 414 that is similar or identical to the thread 330. In other words, the base portion 400 may include a container connecting portion having two different and distinct features to engage or connect with two different containers have distinct engaging features.

The single base 400 may include a void or area 422 that may have a dimension 426 between selected portions of the respective threads 410, 414. The dimension 426 may be formed between the maximum thread height of the respective threads 410, 414 or other appropriate portions. Nevertheless the dimension 46 may allow the base 400 to be threaded onto a container that includes internal threads, such as the internal threads illustrated in FIG. 10 for the container connection 49 or external threads, such as illustrated in FIG. 12, the container connection 49′. Therefore, the single base 400 may be connected with a plurality of thread types and containers. This allows the connection portion 26″ may be connected with a plurality of bottles regardless of the threaded connection portion.

As noted above, the straw assembly 120 may have a distal tip 166 that may be moved relative to a fixed portion 154 with the movable portion 158. Thus, the straw assembly 120 may be used in various containers having different or alternative heights from the connection portion 26 to the bottom surface 220. The straw assembly 120, therefore, may be adjusted by a user during use such as by movement or positioning the straw assembly 120 into the container 24. It is understood, however, that the straw assembly or straw assemblies may be provided according to various embodiments.

For example, with reference to FIGS. 14A and 14B, the container 24 with the connection portion 26 is illustrated. The container 24 may include the base or bottom surface 220. The connection portion 26 may be interconnected with a straw assembly 430. The straw assembly 430 may include a cartridge or fixed portion 434 and an adjustable portion or region 438. The adjustable region 438 may include a plurality of segments, such as a first segment 442 and a second segment 446. The segments may be formed to break away from one another, as illustrated in FIG. 14B. The segments 442, 446 may be drawn apart from one another such as in the direction of the double headed arrow 450. The segments 442, 446 may be interference fit together such as with a projection 454 that may be fitted to a groove 456. The segments 442, 446 may also be formed with a frangible section between two sections, such that the sections 442, 446 may be snapped or broken apart, cut apart, or the like. Nevertheless, a selected number of the segments in the adjustment portion 438 may be removed to form the straw assembly 430 to include a selected length such that a distal tip may be positioned selected height relative to the base 220. Further, the adjustment portion 438 may be permanently removable, such as by cutting, and/or selectively removable and adjustable such as with a friction or connection fit 454, 456 to allow for removal and replacement of selected sections.

Returning reference to FIG. 15, the container 24 may include the connection portion 26 and a straw assembly 460. The straw assembly 460 may be included in a kit 464 that includes at least two adjustable or selectable segments such as a short segment 468 and a long segment 472. Each of the respective segments may be connected with a fixed or cartridge portion 478. As illustrated in FIG. 15, one of the selected segments 468, 472 may be connected with the fixed portion 478 to reach the base 220 of the container 24. Further, the selected segments 468, 472 may be both interconnected with one another and the fixed portion 478 to achieve an extended or extra-long straw length. Accordingly, the straw assembly 460 may be provided with a plurality of removable segments or a minimum number of removable segments to include a selected overall straw length from the connection portion 26 to the base 220 that may be selected by a user and interconnected with a fixed portion 478.

With reference to FIG. 16, the connection portion 26 may be provided with a container 24 or interconnected with the container 24. A straw assembly 490 may also be provided with the container 24 and the connection portion 26. The straw assembly 490 may include a fixed or cartridge portion 494 and a flexible or adjustable region 498. The adjustable region may be formed of a selected material, such as a silicone rubber or other food safe flexible material, such as selected polymers. The flexible portion 498 may be provided with a selected length that may reach or contact the base 220 of the container 24. The flexible portion 498 may include or thereby flex in a flexed or adjustment region 502 such that a distal end 406 is not flat or positioned directly in contact with the base 220 at least a passage 508 thereof. Thus, a flowpath or passage 508 may remain open due to the flexed or bent portion 502 of the flexible portion 498 of the straw assembly 490. The straw assembly 490 may, therefore, be substantially self-adjusting as the straw assembly 490 may be positioned within the container 24 and the flexed region or portion 502 may form due to contact of the end, such as the terminal end 506, with the base 220.

With reference to FIGS. 17A and 17B, the container assembly 24 may include the connection portion 26 and a straw assembly 520. The straw assembly 520 may include a fixed or cartridge container portion 524. The straw assembly 520 may further include an adjustable or adjustment region 528. The adjustment region 528 may include a plurality of ridges 532 that may be expanded or contracted, such as the direction of the double-headed arrow 536. The user may expand the adjustable region 528 by expanding the ridges 532. The user may then position the straw assembly 520 within the container 24 and it may contact the base 220, such as with a distal or terminal end 540 thereof similar to the process discussed above. The ridge portion 532 may then collapse a selected amount so that a fluid tight seal is not formed between the base surface or floor 220 and the flexible portion 528. Thus, a fluid may be drawn through the straw assembly even when the terminal end 540 is near or adjacent to the base 220. Further it is understood that various cutaways or openings may be formed, such as the passages illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, discussed above at the terminal end 540.

Accordingly, the straw assembly 120 may include a telescoping movable member 158 relative to a fixed portion 154. As discussed above, it is understood that a plurality of movable or adjustable portions may be provided such that the straw assembly 120 may include two or more telescoping portions in a movable portion or region 158. Further, as discussed above, according to various embodiments, straw assemblies may be provided with selected adjustment portions or regions. They may include breakable portions in the adjustment portion 438, selectable length portions in the adjustment region 468, 472, flexible members 498 and/or adjustable region or accordion portion 528. Regardless, the straw assembly according to various embodiments may be provided in a plurality of containers while allowing the user to position the terminal end of the straw assembly near or at the base surface 220 thereof.

Further the mouthpiece 110 may be sealed relative to the lid 34 without pinching the mouthpiece 110 and/or engaging the mouthpiece 110 with additional materials and/or portions. Therefore, the mouthpiece 110 may be long lasting and have a long life for efficiency of the container assembly 20 and/or reduction of the used material.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

	Number	Date	Country
Parent	29739356	Jun 2020	US
Child	17349069		US

CONTAINER AND WITHDRAWAL SYSTEM

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Continuation in Parts (1)