Patent Grant
8328113
The present invention generally relates to leakage prevention straws and containers employing the same.
Juice boxes and pouches are well known sealed drinking containers. Typically, these containers have attached thereto a plastic straw, which can be removed and used to puncture the container and drain the liquid within. Such containers are predominantly employed by children. However, the children, through various means, often allow liquid within the container to uncontrollably escape from the straw and/or container to cause a spill.
One problem associated with conventional straws employed with sealed drinking containers is that users can force liquid out of the straw by squeezing the container. Another problem is that liquid can be extracted from the container through the straw by vacuum related capillary action. Yet, another problem with conventional straw/sealed drinking container assemblies is that users can tip the container and cause the liquid to spill. Thus, there is a need for a straw and a straw/drinking container assembly that reduces or eliminates the unwanted draining of liquid from the container. Whatever the precise merits, features, and advantages of the prior art, it does not solve these problems. Accordingly, it is to that end that the present invention is directed.
The present invention relates to a leakage prevention straw, a method of manufacturing the leakage prevention straw, and containers employing the leakage prevention straw. In accordance with the present invention, the leakage prevention straw comprises an open-ended, hollow tube; an open-ended, hollow receiving adapter sealably mounted on the tube; a valve assembly sealably engaging the receiving adapter; and resilient locking adapter disposed on the tube and lockingly engaging the valve assembly to secure the valve assembly in liquid seal engagement with the receiving adapter. The valve assembly comprises a hollow, open-ended, resilient enclosure and a check valve disposed within the enclosure that is biased in a closed position. The check valve opens upon manual manipulation or compression of the enclosure.
In one aspect of the present invention, the leakage prevention straw comprises a tube having a first tube end, a second tube end, and an open tube bore disposed between the first and second tube ends. A receiver is sealably mounted to the tube on the first tube end. The receiver has a first receiver end, a second receiver end, an open-ended receiver bore extending from the first to the second receiver ends, at least one boss, and at least one recess. A valve assembly (“VA”) is engaged with the receiving adapter to form a liquid seal therebetween. The valve assembly has a hollow, resilient enclosure having a first VA end, a second VA end, a wall extending from the first to the second VA end, an open-ended enclosure bore extending from the first to the second VA end, and at least one bayonet section proximate the second VA end. The bayonet section matingly and sealably engages the at least one boss. Further, the bayonet section has an inner and an outer bayonet surface. A check valve is disposed within the enclosure that is movable from a closed position to an open position upon compression of the enclosure wall. A resilient locking adapter is disposed on the tube and comprises a first section and a second section. The first section engages the outer bayonet surface and secures the inner bayonet surface within the at least one boss. The second section has at least one protrusion positioned to matingly engage the at least one recess and secure the valve assembly in liquid sealed engagement with the receiving adapter. Further, the tube bore, the receiver bore, and the enclosure bore, define a liquid flow path within the leakage prevention straw, whereby a liquid can flow through the straw from the second end of the tube to the first end of the enclosure.
Still, in another aspect of the present invention, the leakage prevention straw comprises a tube having a first tube end, a second tube end, and an open tube bore disposed between the first and second tube ends. A receiving adapter is sealably mounted on the tube at the first tube end. The receiver comprises a first receiver end, a second receiver end, an open receiver bore extending from the first to the second receiver end, at least one boss, and at least one recess. A VA engages the receiving adapter to form a liquid seal therebetween. The VA comprises a hollow, resilient enclosure having a first VA end; a second VA end; a wall extending from the first to the second VA end; an open-ended enclosure bore extending from the first to the second VA end; and at least one bayonet section proximate the second VA end positioned to matingly and sealably engage the at least one boss. Further, the bayonet section has an inner bayonet surface and an outer bayonet surface. Disposed within the enclosure is a manually openable check valve. The check valve remains in a closed position either upon application of a vacuum force from the direction of the first VA end or a liquid pressure force from the direction of the second VA end. A resilient locking adapter is disposed on the tube and comprises first and second sections. The first section engages the outer bayonet surface and secures the inner bayonet surface within the at least one boss. The second section contains at least one protrusion positioned to matingly engage the at least one recess and secure the VA in liquid sealed engagement with the receiver. A liquid path is defined by the tube bore, the receiver bore, and the enclosure bore, whereby a liquid can flow through the straw from the second end of the tube to the first end of the enclosure.
In accordance with the present invention, a method for manufacturing the leak prevention straw is disclosed. The method comprises slidably engaging a resilient locking adapter with an open-ended, hollow tube; sealably mounting one end of an open-ended, hollow receiver onto an end of the tube; sealably engaging a valve assembly with the other end of the receiver; and engaging the locking adapter with the receiver and the valve assembly to secure the valve assembly in liquid sealed engagement with the receiver. The valve assembly is described above.
Another aspect of the present invention, the method of manufacturing the leak-resistant straw employs:
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a drink carton is disclosed. The drink carton comprises a package for holding a liquid and a leakage prevention straw in accordance with the present invention operably disposed in the package for transmitting the liquid from the package through the leakage prevention straw.
It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Other advantages and capabilities of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing the elements and the various aspects of the present invention.
The invention will be better understood and the above objects as well as objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a leakage prevention straw that is easy to use. In accordance with the present invention, the leakage prevention straw comprises an open-ended, hollow tube; an open-ended, hollow receiver sealably mounted on the tube; a valve assembly sealably engaging the receiver; and resilient locking adapter disposed on the tube and lockingly engaging the valve assembly to secure the valve assembly in liquid seal engagement with the receiver. The valve assembly comprises a hollow, open-ended, resilient enclosure and a check valve disposed within the enclosure that is biased in a closed position. The check valve opens upon manual manipulation or compression of the enclosure.
In one aspect of the present invention, the leakage prevention straw comprises a tube having a first tube end, a second tube end, and an open tube bore disposed between the first and second tube ends. A receiver is sealably mounted to the tube on the first tube end. The receiver has a first receiver end, a second receiver end, an open-ended receiver bore extending from the first to the second receiver ends, at least one boss, and at least one recess. A valve assembly (VA) engages receiving adapter to form a liquid seal therebetween. The valve assembly has a hollow, resilient enclosure having a first VA end, a second VA end, a wall extending from the first to the second VA end, an open-ended enclosure bore extending from the first to the second VA end, and at least one bayonet section proximate the second VA end. The bayonet section matingly and sealably engages the at least one boss. Further, the bayonet section has an inner and an outer bayonet surface. A check valve is disposed within the enclosure that is movable from a closed position to an open position upon compression of the enclosure wall. A resilient locking adapter is disposed on the tube and comprises a first section and a second section. The first section engages the outer bayonet surface and secures the inner bayonet surface within the at least one boss. The second section has at least one protrusion positioned to matingly engage the at least one recess and secure the valve assembly in liquid sealed engagement with the receiver. Further, the tube bore, the receiver bore, and the enclosure bore, define a liquid flow path within the leakage prevention straw, whereby a liquid can flow through the straw from the second end of the tube to the first end of the enclosure.
Still, in another aspect of the present invention, the leakage prevention straw comprises a tube having a first tube end, a second tube end, and an open tube bore disposed between the first and second tube ends. A receiver is sealably mounted on the tube at the first tube end. The receiver comprises a first receiver end, a second receiver end, an open-ended receiver bore extending from the first to the second receiver end, at least one boss, and at least one recess. A valve assembly engages the receiving adapter to form a liquid seal therebetween. The valve assembly comprises a hollow, resilient enclosure having a first VA end; a second VA end; a wall extending from the first to the second VA end; an open-ended enclosure bore extending from the first to the second VA end; and at least one bayonet section proximate the second VA end positioned to matingly and sealably engage the at least one boss. Further, the bayonet section has an inner bayonet surface and an outer bayonet surface. Disposed within the enclosure is a manually openable check valve. The check valve remains in a closed position either upon application of a vacuum force from the direction of the first VA end or a liquid pressure force from the direction of the second VA end. A resilient locking adapter is disposed on the tube and comprises first and second sections. The first section engages the outer bayonet surface and secures the inner bayonet surface within the at least one boss. The second section contains at least one protrusion positioned to matingly engage the at least one recess and secure the VA in liquid sealed engagement with the receiver. A liquid path is defined by the tube bore, the receiver bore, and the enclosure bore, whereby a liquid can flow through the straw from the second end of the tube to the first end of the enclosure.
In accordance with the present invention, a method for manufacturing the leak prevention straw is disclosed. The method comprises slidably engaging a resilient locking adapter with an open-ended, hollow tube; sealably mounting one end of an open-ended, hollow receiver onto an end of the tube; sealably engaging a valve assembly with the other end of the receiver; and engaging the locking adapter with the receiver and the valve assembly to secure the valve assembly in liquid sealed engagement with the receiver. The valve assembly is described above.
Another aspect of the present invention, the method of manufacturing the leak-resistant straw employs:
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a drink carton is disclosed. The drink carton comprises a package for holding a liquid and a leakage prevention straw in accordance with the present invention operably disposed in the package for transmitting the liquid from the package through the leakage prevention straw.
In the description below, it should be noted that the term “resilient” means that the element can return substantially to its original form after being bent, compressed, or stretched. The term “plastic” means any of various organic compounds produced by polymerization, capable of being molded, extruded, cast into various shapes and films, or drawn into filaments used as textile fibers. The term “extendable” means being able to stretch out, draw to full length.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and desired objects of this invention, reference should be made to the above and following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying figures. When reference is made to the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures.
Receiver
Reference is made initially to
The receiver comprises a plastic. For example, suitable plastics include, but are not limited to, polypropylene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer (ABS).
Valve Assembly
The enclosure 805 is made of an elastomer. Such elastomers include, but are not limited to, natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprene, butyl rubber (copolymer of isobutylene and isoprene, IIR), halogenated butyl rubbers (chloro butyl rubber: CIIR; bromo butyl rubber: BIIR) polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene rubber (copolymer of polystyrene and polybutadiene, SBR), nitrile rubber (copolymer of polybutadiene and acrylonitrile, NBR), hydrogenated nitrile rubbers (HNBR) therban and tetpol, chloroprene rubber (CR), polychloroprene, neoprene, baypren, ethylene propylene rubber, a copolymer of ethylene and propylene) and EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene diene rubber, a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene and a diene-component), epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO), polyacrylic rubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, Viton, Tecnoflon, Fluorel, Aflas, Dai-El, perfluoroelastomers, tecnoflon PFR, Kalrez, Chemraz, Perlast, polyether block amides, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, Hypalon, ethylene-vinyl acetate, Elastron, Santoprene, thermoplastic Polyurethane, thermoplastic olefins, or polysulfide rubber. In another aspect of the present invention, the enclosure comprises silicone.
The check valve 830 is proximate the first VA end 810 and is positioned within the enclosure bore 825. The check valve 830 moves from a closed to an open position when a compressive force, such as a circumferentially compressive force, is applied to the enclosure 805. Such a force can be applied by a user with their lips, teeth, mouth, or fingers. If a user applies a suction force without first compressing the enclosure 805, no liquid will flow through the valve assembly 800. When the check valve 830 is in an open position, liquid communication can occur between the first and second VA ends 810 and 815 of the enclosure 805. The check valve 830 is biased in a closed position such that a pressurized force from a liquid originating from the second VA end 815 does not open the check valve. Further, the check valve 830 is biased in a closed position such that a vacuum force originating from the first VA end 810 does not open the check valve.
The check valve 830 can comprise a duckbill, crossbill, or flap configuration. A duckbill valve is a “one-way” valve typically of one-piece construction. It comprises two flexible members that resemble a “duckbill”; however, any sort, shape, number, material or variation of flaps or lips may be used. Flexible members 840 are made of an elastomeric material, and are used to prevent undesired liquid flow or leakage. As discussed above, the flexible check valve 830 (e.g. duckbill) can be opened by minimal action of a user by circumferentially compressing the valve with the consumer's mouth, fingers, teeth, or lips. The check valve 830 returns to a closed position when the force ceases.
The check valve 830 comprises a flexible, yet resilient material. Such a material can be, but not limited to, any elastomer known in the art which is flexible and resilient. For example, the material can be any of the elastomers listed in the previous paragraph. In one aspect of the present invention, the check valve comprises silicone. In another aspect of the present invention, the check valve 830 and the enclosure 805 can be made from the same or different elastomers. The check valve 830 comprises at least one flexible member which moves upon application of a circumferentially compressive force on the enclosure 805. In one aspect of the invention, depicted in
Locking Adapter
Referring to
The locking adapter 900 is made of a polymeric material. In one aspect, the locking adapter can be made from polyethylene terephthalate, however, in other aspects it can be made from polycarbonate, polypropylene, high impact polystyrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, and high density polyethylene.
Leakage Prevention Straw Assembly and Drinking Carton
As illustrated in
With continued reference to
In order to mount the receiver 600 onto the tube 500, the tube first end 520 is inserted into the receiver bore 610 at the first receiver end 625. Thereafter, the received 600 is sealably mounted to tube 500. In one aspect of the present invention, the tube first end 520 is positioned proximate the first receiver end 625 within the receiver bore 610. Sealable mounting can occur by bonding or affixing the receiver 600 to the tube 500. Mounting techniques which can be employed with the present invention include, but are not limited to, over molding, mechanical attachment, sonic welding, shrink applications, friction fitting, or adhesive mounting. In one aspect of the present invention, the tube outer surface 550 and the inner surface 620 of the receiver are sealably mounted to one another by use of a bonding technique. In another aspect of the present invention, sonic welding is used to bond the tube 500 to the receiving adapter 600.
In one aspect of the present invention, the locking adapter 900 is placed onto the tube 500 prior to the receiver 600 being mounted onto the tube. In another aspect of the present invention, the locking adapter 900 is placed onto the tube 500 after the receiver 600 is mounted onto the tube.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Referring to
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, various modifications may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and which are set forth in the appended claims.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20110108613 A1 | May 2011 | US |
