U.S. patent application number 11/885724 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-17 for tube and orifice having a valve function.
Invention is credited to Rudy Trejo.
Application Number | 20080169356 11/885724 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35056103 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080169356 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Trejo; Rudy |
July 17, 2008 |
Tube and Orifice Having a Valve Function
Abstract
This invention relates generally to a sealable straw and
ventable closure assembly which provides multiple dispensing
techniques designed to be attached to the opening of a variety of
known sealable containers and container closures.
Inventors: |
Trejo; Rudy; (Corpus
Christi, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Rudy Trejo
342 Belmont Dr.
Corpus Christi
TX
78418
US
|
Family ID: |
35056103 |
Appl. No.: |
11/885724 |
Filed: |
March 4, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
March 4, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US05/06696 |
371 Date: |
September 4, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60550213 |
Mar 4, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/33 ; 215/388;
220/705; 229/103.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/2266 20130101;
A47G 21/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
239/33 ;
229/103.1; 215/388; 220/705 |
International
Class: |
A47G 21/18 20060101
A47G021/18; B65D 77/28 20060101 B65D077/28 |
Claims
1. A tube for dispensing the contents within a container, the
container having a surface which cooperates with said tube to
provide a valve function a sealing membrane formed as a single thin
sheet of material having a substantially uniform thickness, said
sealing membrane being sealed to the surface of the container and
sealing the container opening
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to a sealable straw and
ventable closure assembly which provides multiple dispensing
techniques designed to be attached to the opening of a variety of
known sealable containers and container closures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] I have invented a tube and orifice assembly which has
multiple valve functions, which provides a sealing means and a
venting means for a variety of sealable containers. The tube and
orifice will allow a user to selectively open and close the
interior of a container.
[0003] The sealable tube is provided with a biasing member,
anchoring member or a clamping member for maintaining the tube in a
sealed state. The members may be provided as an accessory for a
tube or may be integrally formed in the tube.
[0004] The sealable tube may be provided with or integrally formed
with a venting portion and a sealing portion which is designed to
cooperate with the tube orifice to provide a venting device for
selectively opening and closing the tube orifice. The sealable tube
is inserted through the tube orifice such that liquid may be
accessed by the user. The venting portion has a cross-sectional
area less than the cross-sectional area of the tube orifice. When
the user wishes to vent the container he aligns the venting portion
with the orifice, which creates a air exchange passage between the
peripheral edge of the orifice and the tube. The user may seal the
container by pushing or pulling the tube through the orifice. The
sealing portion has a cross-sectional area greater or equal to the
cross-sectional area of the orifice. When the user wishes to seal
the container he aligns the sealing portion with the orifice which
creates a fluid type seal.
[0005] The invention provides a scalable tube and sealable tube
orifice assembly which is used in conjunction with a variety of
known container types, such as aseptic flexible pouches, disposable
beverage containers, sports bottles and baby bottles. The sealable
tube will enable user to easily seal and open the tube with one
hand or by the users mouth. The sealable tube is integrally formed
with a venting portion which cooperates with the tube orifice
providing a venting device that may be selectively operated to
provide either an opening for admitting air into the container for
the sipping type operation, or can be manipulated to form a fluid
type seal preventing flow of air into the container.
[0006] The sealable tube of the invention comprises of a tubular
straw which is deformable to and from a first open state and a
second sealed state. The tube is retained in the sealed state by a
biasing means ,anchoring means or a clamping member. The members
can be integrally formed in the tube or can be provided as an
attachment or accessory for commercially available straws.
[0007] In the first preferred embodiment the dispensing sealable
tube is maintained in the sealed state by a biasing means. The
biasing means which is located at or adjacent to the bending
location, is provided for selectively retracting and retaining the
dispensing tube in the sealed state. In the open state the
structural integrity of the tubular walls exert a force greater
than the force exerted by the biasing means, therefore in the open
state the biasing means is inactive thereby allowing liquid to pass
through the tube. The biasing means is activated by the user
squeezing the bending location, thereby bending and collapsing the
tubular walls. When in the bent position the biasing means
automatically retracts the dispensing tube from the open state to
the sealed state. The dispensing tube is easily opened by the user
unbending the dispensing tube, which causes the collapsed walls to
return to their tubular form. The biasing member may be located at
the tip of the straw to allow the user to seal the straw with his
mouth, or it may be located between the two open ends to allow the
user to seal the straw by squeezing the bending location. The
biasing member can be integrally formed in the tube or can be
provided as an attachment or accessory for commercially available
straws.
[0008] In the second preferred embodiment the tube is provided with
an anchoring means which is located at or adjacent to the bending
location, which is provided for selectively retaining the
dispensing tube in the sealed state. When the user manually bends
the dispensing tube to a sealed state the anchoring means
frictionally engages the dispensing tube thus, maintaining the
dispensing tube in the sealed state. When in the sealed state the
user must unbend the dispensing tube, thus disengaging the
anchoring means from the dispensing tube.
[0009] In another preferred embodiment of the invention the tube is
inserted through a anchoring sleeve which is mounted to a closure.
The anchoring sleeve is provided with an interior passage way which
is located in the interior of a container. The tube is provided
with interior passage way. The interior passage way will allow
liquid or gas to flow from the exterior of the tube to the interior
of the tube. When the user wishes to access liquid or gas through
the interior passage way, he aligns the anchoring sleeve passage
way with the the interior passage way of the tube. In order to seal
the interior passage way the user pushes or pulls the tube through
the anchoring sleeve, such that the anchoring sleeve interior
passage way is misaligned with the interior passage way of the
tube. The anchoring sleeve is of a diameter that will provide a
fluid type seal with the container and the tube.
[0010] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
sealable tube is of a diameter substantially greater than or the
same as the orifice such that it provides a fluid type seal when
aligned with tube orifice. The sealable dispensing tube is
integrally formed with a venting portion which cooperates with the
orifice providing a venting device that may be selectively operated
to provide either an opening for admitting air into the container
for the sipping type of operation, or can be manipulated to form a
fluid type seal preventing flow of air into the container.
[0011] When the user wishes to vent the container he aligns the
venting portion of the straw with the orifice, thus allowing air
into the container. When the user wishes to seal the container he
pushes or pulls the tube such that the venting portion is
misaligned with the straw orifice, thus providing a fluid type
seal.
[0012] In another preferred embodiment the sealable dispensing tube
is of a diameter less than the tube orifice such that when aligned
with tube orifice air is allows into the container. The sealable
dispensing tube is provided with a sealing portion of a diameter
substantially greater than the straw bore such that when aligned
with the orifice it provides a fluid type seal.
[0013] In another preferred embodiment of the invention the
sealable dispensing tube is provided in the form the dispensing
tube.
[0014] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
sealable tube is provided in the form of a drinking straw which is
bendable at a predetermined bending location along the axis of the
straw, from an open state to a sealed state. Bending the tube
creases and collapses the tubular walls at the bending location,
thereby sealing the tube. A biasing means is provided at or
adjacent to the bending location on the tube and selectively
maintains the tube in the bent and sealed state.
[0015] The tube can be manually straightened by the user unbending
the tube, thus removing the collapsed crease and returning the tube
to its tubular shape. The structural integrity of the tubular shape
maintains the biasing member in the open state, thereby allowing
liquid to pass through the tube. In order to seal the tube, the
user squeezes the tube at the bending location, thus collapsing the
tubular walls, which allows the biasing member to automatically
retract the tube to the sealed state.
[0016] In another preferred embodiment, the dispensing tube
according to the invention is provided by a drinking tube having an
open mouth and a beveled bottom end. The beveled bottom is designed
to puncture a sealed container.
[0017] In another preferred embodiment, the dispensing tube is
provided in conjunction with a sealed flexible container. When the
tube is in the sealed state, liquid is prevented from squirting
upwardly through the straw. When the tube is in the open state, the
user may forcibly eject liquid through the tube by squeezing the
flexible container.
[0018] In another preferred embodiment, the dispensing tube is
inserted into a portable beverage container and adapted to allow
the user to easily and conveniently drink or dispense beverage
contained in a container.
[0019] In another preferred embodiment, the dispensing tube is
provided in conjunction with a sealed flexible container for the
dispensing of lubricating oils and the like.
[0020] In another preferred embodiment, the dispensing tube may be
equipped with an accordion hinge capable of allowing the user to
easily adjust the orientation of the dispensing tube.
[0021] In any of the various sealable straw and sealable orifice
assembly embodiments of the invention, the tube may be used to
dispense liquid from a variety of known containers, or allow the
user to easily drink from the container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Portable beverage containers are useful in various
environments and situations to provide convenient methods of
transporting, storing, and consuming liquid beverages.
[0023] There are various types of portable beverage containers
which utilize straw and straw orifice assembly which consists of a
straw orifice and a protruding straw. One of the reasons for the
popularity of the straw is that the use of a drinking straw makes
the drinking process more enjoyable, convenient, and efficient in
that the straw projects up from the container for easy access. The
known straws that have been commonly used are often cylindrical in
shape and of uniform diameter throughout their length. Straws of
uniformed diameters adapted to be inserted into a sealed container
for liquid beverages to enable the user to drink from the container
are well-known.
[0024] A common type of straw bore is featured on a disposable lid
of thin plastic material which is snapped on the top of paper or
plastic soft drinks or other containers at fast food restaurants or
convenient stores. Most such lids having an access or straw orifice
through which a straw can pass for drinking are not sealable.
[0025] The proliferation of portable beverage containers has
produced the need for a sealable tube and sealable tube orifice,
having a dual valve function, for providing a sealing means and a
venting means, which can be sealed easily with one hand.
[0026] Various combinations of straw and closure assemblies are
known in the prior art.
[0027] These include U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,354 to Cohanfard (1992)
discloses a straw and closure assembly which utilizes an accordion
hinged straw which is sealed by placing a cap closure over the
upper end of the straw and applying downward force, as is
illustrated in FIG. 19. Sealing and unsealing this straw is
inconvenient, because it requires good hand eye coordination and
use of both hands for operation. This makes it very difficult for
many users, including small children, the elder, and people with
diminished physical skills. Using this straw and closure assembly
while operation a moving motor vehicle or riding a bicycle is
unsafe because sealing and unsealing and closure assembly also
provides a nuisance to the user in that the sealing cap projects
into the users' face when drinking. This straw and closure assembly
also has the operational disadvantage of tending to come out of the
beverage container when the upward force is applied to unseal it.
This straw and closure assembly is also hygienically unsafe for
repeated us in that cleaning the accordion portion of the straw is
difficult. Still another safety disadvantage of this straw and
closure assembly is the danger that the cap may be swallowed by a
young child if it detaches from the straw.
[0028] U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,708 to Mills (1985) discloses a straw
which is inserted into a disposable cup. The chief disadvantages of
this design are that it is not sealable or spill resistant.
[0029] U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,635 to Whittaker (1991) discloses a
fluid containment device on beverage cans, which includes a vent
closure of the type push to close-pull to open, as illustrated in
FIGS. 20, 21, and 22. The operation of the push pull mechanism is
cumbersome because its small size and this mechanism is difficult
to clean, rendering it unsafe and unsanitary for repeated use. This
design is also expensive to manufacture and assemble because of the
separate multiple molded parts.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0030] It is the main objective to provide an easy to seal
dispensing tube which would be inexpensive to manufacture.
[0031] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
reusable dispensing tube that it is made of a plastic that can
withstand repeated bending.
[0032] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
dispensing tube for a variety of non beverage liquids.
[0033] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
easy to seal dispensing tube which allows the user to easily seal
the tube with one hand or by the users mouth.
[0034] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
sealable dispensing tube that may be used with various container
types without requiring container modification.
[0035] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
dispensing tube which when in the sealed position is spill
proof.
[0036] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
dispensing tube which when in the sealed position the taste and
aroma is maintained.
[0037] Another object of the present invention is to provide a tube
that is a one piece design which does not pose as a choking hazzard
for toddlers and the like.
[0038] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
sealable tube that will add value to the container by providing a
user friendly dispensing system.
[0039] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
dispensing tube on which advertising or amusement material may be
displayed.
[0040] Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention
to provide an improved system by which fluids may be dispensed.
[0041] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a tube as an accessory for a standard nursing bottle. The user will
simply remove the nipple from the bottle and install a disk with a
tube bore hole and the dispensing tube thus permitting a child to
easily seal and open the container.
[0042] A final object of the invention is to provide a dispensing
tube which may be used by small children and people with
diminishing skills.
[0043] Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the
following part of the specification, wherein detailed description
is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without
placing limitations thereon. It is understood that the venting
device may be provided independent from the sealable portion of the
tube. The invention may be manufactured with only one of the
previously mentioned features.
[0044] Other objects and the features will be apparent from the
following detailed description of the present invention with
reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] In the drawings which form a portion of the original
disclosure of the invention:
[0046] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred sealable
dispensing tube of the invention in which an exterior biasing
sleeve is provided for retracting and maintaining the straw in a
bent and sealed state;
[0047] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one preferred sealable
dispensing tube of the invention in which an exterior anchoring
sleeve is provided for maintaining the straw in a bent and sealed
state;
[0048] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one preferred sealable
dispensing tube of the invention in which an exterior rubber cap is
provided for retracting and maintaining the straw in a bent and
sealed state;
[0049] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one preferred sealable
dispensing tube of the invention in which a releasable fastener is
provided for maintaining the straw in a bent and sealed state;
[0050] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fragmentary
cross-sectional view of the tube and container;
[0051] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one preferred sealable
dispensing tube of the invention in which an exterior biasing
sleeve is shown in its open position;
[0052] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one preferred sealable
dispensing tube of the invention in which the tube is provided with
a chisel point bottom end;
[0053] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one preferred sealable
dispensing tube of the invention in which an anchoring sleeve is
shown in its open position;
[0054] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of one preferred sealable
dispensing tube of the invention in which a releasable fastener is
shown in its open position; in phantom the tube is shown in the
sealed state;
[0055] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the straw of
FIG. 4 taken substantially along line 10-10;
[0056] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one preferred sealable
dispensing tube of the invention in which a rubber cap is shown in
its open position;
[0057] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the sealable dispensing
tube in which a releasable fastener is shown in the sealed state;
the dispensing tube is shown cooperating with the orifice providing
a venting device;
[0058] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the venting portion
aligned with the orifice providing an opening for admitting air
into the container;
[0059] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the exterior of the
sealable dispensing tube to provide a fluid type seal;
[0060] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the exterior of the
sealable dispensing tube aligned with the orifice providing an
opening for admitting air into the container;
[0061] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing portion
aligned with the orifice to provide a fluid type seal;
[0062] FIG. 17 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of tube and
exterior anchoring sleeve shown cooperating with the orifice to
provide an opening for admitting air into the container;
[0063] FIG. 18 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of tube and
exterior anchoring sleeve shown inserted into the orifice to
provide a fluid type seal;
[0064] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the prior art, tube 100 and
cap 310 assembly in the sealed position;
[0065] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the prior art, sealable
vent assembly in the open position;
[0066] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the prior art, sealable
vent assembly in the sealed position;
[0067] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the prior art, sealable
vent assembly
[0068] FIG. 23 is a photograph of a variety of portable beverage
containers that have been drilled to create an orifice that
cooperates with the exterior surface of the tube and venting
device. The sealable tube is shown in the open position.
[0069] FIG. 24 is a photograph of a variety of portable beverage
containers that have orifice that cooperates with the exterior
surface of the tube and venting device. The sealable tube is shown
in the sealed position.
[0070] FIG. 25 illustrates an exploded view showing a
cross-sectional view of a cap for a beverage container. The
anchoring sleeve is sealing the orifice of the cap. The anchoring
sleeve is provided with a interior passage which is designed to
cooperate with the interior passage way of the tube.
[0071] FIG. 26 is a photograph of a person using anchoring sleeve
toothpick 3000 to remove plaque from their teeth.
[0072] FIG. 27 is a photograph of a variety of containers being
sealed by Cap/Plug/Seal Capsule Assembly
[0073] FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of Threaded Valve
Closure
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0074] This application claims priority of provisional application
No. 60/550213 filed on Mar. 04, 2004.
[0075] FIG. 1 illustrates the sealable tube 100 in the bent and
sealed state. The sealable tube 100 includes a tubular straw
(hereinafter "straw") which is axially bent into portions 115a and
115b and which is selectively retained in the sealed state by
biasing means 111.
[0076] As best shown in FIG. 1, the biasing means 111 selectively
maintains the sealable dispensing tube 100 in a bent condition so
that the tubular walls collapse at the location 140 sufficient to
form the crease 119 in the straw, thereby substantially sealing the
tubular straw at location 140.
[0077] The biasing means 111 as shown in FIG. 1 is provided in the
form of a sleeve, made of a resilient and flexible rubber material
surrounding the periphery of the straw. The rubber material making
up biasing sleeve 111 can be a natural or synthetic rubber or the
like and advantageously includes a segment 139 at the ends of
biasing sleeve 111. Segment 139 is integrally formed between the
two sides of the rubber biasing sleeve 111 and functions to
maintain the sealable dispensing tube 100, in the bent and
substantially sealed position as illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0078] When in its open position, as best illustrated in FIG. 6,
the biasing means 111 is not capable of retracting the straw. When
the user wishes to seal the dispensing tube 100, he squeezes the
bending location 140 of the straw, thus the straw is returned by
the biasing means 111 to its closed state. When the user wishes to
drink from the sealable dispensing tube 100, the straw is manually
deformed to remove the crease 119, thus returning the structural
integrity to the straw. Accordingly, the material used to make the
straw body, comprising segments 115a and 115b, is advantageously a
resilient, preferably plastic, material, so that dispensing tube
100 can be repeatedly deformed to and from the open and closed
states.
[0079] When maintained in the substantially sealed state shown in
FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 the sealable dispensing tube 100 substantially
eliminates spillage from a liquid container such as container 135,
as illustrated in FIG. 5. A chisel point bottom end 125 of straw
100 as illustrated in FIG. 7 which can be used to puncture seal 130
of container 135 without causing liquid in container 135 to squirt
upwardly through straw 100. Similarly, once straw 100 is seated
within a relatively snug or tight orifice, such as orifice 141
resulting from puncture of seal 130, spillage of liquid 143 out of
container 135 is prevented or minimized as is illustrated in FIG.
5. Thus, the container having a seated sealable dispensing tube 100
as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 can be tipped over without
liquid spilling out of the straw. Additionally, the crimp or crease
at location 140 also prevents liquid 143 from squirting up through
the straw 100 when container 135 is squeezed by the user.
[0080] The anchoring means 111a as shown in FIG. 2 is provided in a
form of a sleeve of a resilient and flexible plastic material
surrounding a portion of the periphery of the straw with a diameter
greater than the diameter of the dispensing tube. The diameter of
the anchoring member 111a is such that when in the sealed state the
anchoring member 111a frictionally engages and maintains the
dispensing tube in the sealed state.
[0081] The sealable tube 100 includes a tubular straw which is
axially bent into portions 115a and 115b and is selectively
maintained by a anchoring means 111a. The anchoring means 111a
selectively maintains the tube 100 in a bent condition so that the
tubular walls collapse at the location 140 sufficient to form the
crease 119 in the straw, thereby substantially sealing the tubular
straw at location 140.
[0082] The resilient plastic sleeve 111a, is attached to the straw
100a adjacent to the bending location 140. The plastic sleeve 111a
functions as an anchoring means. The plastic sleeve 111a, in one
preferred embodiment is advantageously formed of a flexible and
resilient plastic material. The plastic sleeve 111a may be formed
by a extrusion process. Following the extrusion process the plastic
sleeve 111a is cut such that segment 115a and 115b may be folded
such that they are parallel to one another. The anchoring means
111a includes a mounting portion 170 which is located at a
predetermined location along the length of the tubular straw 100a.
A retaining portion 171 is constructed to frictionally engage the
straw 100a and maintain it in the substantially sealed state, and a
neck portion 172 extending between the mounting portion 170 and
retaining portion 171. As illustrated in FIG. 2. A conventional
drinking straw is then threaded through the plastic sleeve 111a.
The straw is then bent by the user at the bending location of the
plastic sleeve 111a, thus forming crease 119. The straw can be
deformed manually to remove the crease 119, to the more
straightened position, shown in FIG. 8.
[0083] In one preferred embodiment, sleeve 111a and sleeve 111d are
edible, formed from all natural ingredients, and can function as a
nutritional food product capable of delivering any of a variety of
nutritional supplements, such as vitamins, minerals, herbal
extracts, or any other type of supplement known in the art. The
sleeve 111a and sleeve 111d can be extruded from natural
ingredients such as dehydrated fruit or dehydrated vegetable. The
extruded sleeve 111a and sleeve 111d may comprise of a combination
of fruit powder base mixed with a humectant, natural color, natural
flavor, and optionally, one of more nutritional supplements, such
as vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts, and the like that are
extruded and cut to form the desired straw shape. The extruded
sleeve structure is thereafter coated with an edible water
repellent coating, such as carnauba wax, a shellac or other
coatings typically used in the candy industry, and packaged in a
moisture proof barrier.
[0084] FIGS. 3 and 11 illustrate a rubber cap member 111b which is
attached to straw 100b at bend location 140 on the transverse top
side of the straw. Rubber cap member 111b conforms to the exterior
contour of straw 100b. The application of heat to the rubber cap
member 111b, fixedly attaches the rubber cap member 111b to the
straw 100b. Rubber cap member 111b is advantageously composed of a
flexible and resilient rubber material so that straw 100b is
selectively biased in the bent position. The rubber cap member 111b
is sufficiently flexible about its fold so that the combination of
straw 100b and rubber cap member 111b can be readily deformed
manually such that the crease 119 is removed.
[0085] FIGS. 4 and 9 illustrate yet another preferred embodiment of
the invention in which a releasable fastener member 211c is mounted
on the upper portion of the straw 100c. As previously described,
the straw 100c is sufficiently flexible and resilient such that it
can be manually bent along its longitudinal axis into a inverted
V-shape defining portions 115a and 115b and selectively maintained
in a bent and substantially sealed state by fastener member 211c as
illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0086] The preferred fastener member 211c is formed of a resilient
and flexible plastic material. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of
fastener member 211c. The fastener member 211c has a generally
tubular portion 212c which is mounted on the upper portion of the
straw 100c. A laterally extending portion 214c is integrally formed
with a generally C-shaped clamping portion 213c, and a release tab
215c extending from the clamping portion 213c.
[0087] The fastener member 211c is sized to maintain the straw 100c
in the inverted V-shaped bent condition so that the tubular walls
of the straw collapse at location 140 sufficient to form a crimp or
crease in the straw, thereby substantially sealing the straw at
location 140. The C-shaped portion 213c is configured to receive
the bent portion 115b of the straw 100c. The resiliency portion of
the straw of the inverted V-shaped bent condition maintains its
engagement with the C-shaped clamping portion 213c of the fastener
member 211c. The tab member 215c may be pushed downwardly with the
thumb or the finger of the user to release the bent portion 115b
from C-shaped portion 213c. In the absence of the C-shaped portion
213c, the inherent resiliency of the straw material automatically
returns the straw to its normal and relaxed upright position.
[0088] FIG. 9 illustrates the sealable tube 100c in its upright
position, the collapsed crease at location 140 of the straw 100
opens up to allow liquid to pass through the straw.
[0089] Referring to FIG. 12 the fastener member 211c may also be
provided with a horizontally oriented open handle 217c which extend
radially outward therefrom.
[0090] The sealable dispensing tube is illustrated in FIGS. 6, 8,
9, and 11 in an open position. When a user wishes to drink from the
straw, the top segment 115b of the straw is manually deformed by
the users hand or mouth, into a more straightened position. Moving
the straw to a more straightened position opens the crease 119 at
location 140 sufficiently that the crease 119 is removed thereby,
returning the structural integrity to the straw.
[0091] The sealable tube 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 can be
manufactured in various ways. In one method, a conventional straw
can be extruded from a polyolefin such as polypropylene in the
normal manner and cut into straight straw lengths. The straw is
then inserted into a biasing member 111 and the straw/rubber sleeve
combination is bent at about the longitudinal mid-point of the
rubber sleeve 111 sufficiently to seal the interior of the straw.
Typically, the amount of bending is sufficient to seal the interior
of the straw and will be an amount sufficient to position the two
straw segments 115a and 115b, which are located axially on either
side of bending location 140, at an angle X with respect to each
other as indicated in FIG. 1. While the straw is held in its bent
position, the application of heat or an adhesive applied to the
rubber sleeve 111 causing the touching portions of the sleeve on
the underside of the straw to melt or adhere together thereby
forming integral segment 139.
[0092] The tube 100 can be manually straightened by the user
unbending the tube 100, thus removing the collapsed crease and
returning the tube 100 to its tubular shape. The structural
integrity of the tubular shape maintains the biasing member 111 the
open state, thereby allowing liquid to pass through the tube 100.
In order to seal the tube, the user squeezes the tube at the
bending location, thus collapsing the tubular walls, which allows
the biasing member to automatically retract the tube to the sealed
state.
[0093] In another preferred embodiment of the invention in which
the sealable dispensing tube 100 is integrally formed with a
venting portion 133 which cooperates with the orifice 141, thus
providing a venting device that may be selectively operated to
provide an opening for admitting air into the container for the
sipping type operation, as is illustrated in FIG. 13. The sealable
dispensing tube 100 is of the same diameter as the orifice 141 and
may be selectively operated to provide a fluid type seal preventing
flow of air into the container as is illustrated in FIG. 14.
[0094] FIG. 15 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the
invention, in which the sealable dispensing tube 100 is integrally
formed with a sealing portion 153 which is equal to or greater than
orifice 141. When the user wishes to seal the orifice 141 he aligns
sealing portion 153 with orifice 141 to provide a fluid type seal.
The straw 100 cooperates with orifice 141 to provide a venting
device that may be selectively operated to provide either an
opening for admitting air into the container for the sipping type
operation, as is illustrated in FIG. 15, or can be manipulated to
form a fluid type seal preventing flow of air into the container as
is illustrated in FIG. 16.
[0095] When the user wishes to vent the container he aligns the
venting portion 133 of the straw 100 with the orifice 141, thus
allowing air into the container as is illustrated in FIG. 13. When
the user wishes to seal the container he pushes or pulls the tube
100 such that the venting portion 133 is misaligned with the
orifice 141, thus providing a fluid type seal as illustrated in
FIG. 14.
[0096] FIG. 17 illustrates another preferred sealable tube 100d of
the invention in which a resilient plastic sleeve 111d, is attached
or provided as an accessory to the straw 100d adjacent to the
bending location 140. The plastic sleeve 111d functions as an
anchoring means and as a sealing means. The plastic sleeve 111d is
sized and constructed to frictionally engage the orifice 141 as
illustrated in FIG. 18. When the user wishes to seal the orifice
141, he inserts plastic sleeve 111d into orifice 141, thus sealing
the container 135, as is illustrated in FIG. 18. When the user
wishes to vent the container, he removes the sleeve 111d from the
orifice, thus providing a gap between the periphery of the straw
100 in the orifice as is illustrated in FIG. 17.
[0097] FIG. 25 illustrates an exploded view of another preferred
embodiment where the sleeve 111e is provided with an interior
passage way 101e below closure 225. Tube 100e is provided with an
interior passage way 102e when the passage way 101e is aligned with
passage way 102e liquid or gases may flow through the tube. When
the user wishes seal the passage way 101e and 102e he pushes or
pulls the straws such that the passage ways 101e and 102e are
misaligned, thus sealing the passage way 102e. Beveled point 256
may be used as a toothpick.
[0098] FIG. 26 is a photograph of an anchoring sleeve toothpick
3000 functioning as a dental toothpick which is formed of a hollow
tube body 3002 which allows storage of plaque and small food
particles prior to its disposal. The tube body 3002 is provided
with deformable chiseled end 3003 which conforms to the gap between
two surfaces thus providing a larger contact surface than the prior
art plastic toothpick. The profile of deformable chiseled end 3003
is substantially the same as FIG. 7 The deformable chiseled end
3003 is able to fit into small areas that a toothbrush might not
reach. Imprinted toothpick anchoring sleeve 3000 is the most
inexpensive imprinting medium to advertise a company name, event
name, brand, or logo. The user may choose to reduce the risk of
cross contamination by covering the end of a conventional drinking
straw or valved tube. The toothpick member sleeve 3000 may also be
used to seal the end of the conventional drinking straw. The
toothpick anchoring sleeve 3000 may also function as a chiseled
fork
[0099] May be provided with a mint flavor or fortified with
fluoride or nutrients. Flexible deformable chiseled ends 3003 are
designed such that it is not capable of puncturing human skin.
Movie theaters and other places in which popcorn is sold may offer
the toothpick anchoring sleeve 3000_as a convenience for their
customers. Licensed restaurants and convenient stores will provide
the toothpick anchoring sleeve 3000.
[0100] FIG. 27 is a photograph of a variety of containers being
sealed by Cap/Plug/Seal Capsule Assembly 4000. Containers 4001 and
4002 are sealed by a diameter less than containers 4003 and 4004.
Cap/Plug/Seal Capsule 4005M is designed to seal Containers 4001 and
4002. Cap/Plug/Seal capsule 4006F is designed to plug the opening
of containers 4003 and 4004. Cap/Plug/Seal Capsule 4005M is
designed to be inserted into Cap/Plug/Seal capsule 4006F forming
water tight seal. Container 4003 is sealed by Cap/Plug/Seal Capsule
Assembly 4000 may be used to store dry powders or liquids.
[0101] FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of Threaded Valve Closure
4010 valving the opening of Container 4004. Threaded Valve Closure
4010 is provided with a cavity 4015 to accommodate Valved Tube 4011
in the bent and sealed position container 4003 with a Cap/Plug/Seal
Capsule Assembly 4000. Assembly 4000 is composed of Cap/Plug/Seal
4006F. Valved Tube 4011 is maintained in the bent position
projecting beyond the rim 4009 of the Container 4004 such that the
user may easily unseal the straw. The user may easily seal the
container with one hand or his mouth.
[0102] The invention thus provides a sealable tube and squirt
resistant straw which can be used with any of various well known
containers in order to prevent or minimize spilling of liquids. The
sealable dispensing tube 100s provided by the invention can be
readily and inexpensively manufactured according to any of various
well known plastic manufacturing processes. The straws of the
invention are manufactured from commercially available straws by
attachment of a biasing means or anchoring means to any of various
commercially available straws or can be manufactured to include an
integral biasing means or integral anchoring means.
[0103] The straws of the invention are simple to use and can be
substituted for conventional straws in any of the various known
uses thereof. Nevertheless, the sealable dispensing tube 100s
according to the invention reliably prevent accidental squirting
and spillage of liquids through the straw.
[0104] The invention has been described in considerable detail with
specific reference to various preferred embodiments thereof.
However, variations and modifications can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the
foregoing specification and defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *