Patent ID: 6131763
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
Apparatus for dispensing beverages, said apparatus comprising:a container body including a container top and defining an interior for holding a beverage, said container top having a first line of weakness terminating at a first bend line and a second line of weakness terminating at a second bend line, said first line of weakness and said first bend line forming a first top portion in said container top and said second line of weakness and said second bend line forming a second top portion in said container top spaced from said first top portion, and said first and second bend lines being spaced from one another with an area of said container top disposed therebetween and between said top portions;a pivot member attached to said container top within said area;a tab member rotatably and pivotally mounted on said pivot member and having a container top engagement end and a pull end located on opposed sides of said pivot member, said tab member being manually selectively rotatable about said pivot member to either place the container top engagement end thereof over said first top portion whereby pivotal movement of said tab member about said pivot member will cause said first top portion to bend downwardly relative to said first bend line to form a first opening in said container top or place the container top engagement end thereof over said second top portion whereby pivotal movement of said tab member about said pivot member will cause said second top portion to bend downwardly relative to said second bend line to form a second opening in said container top;a drinking straw;a straw guide in the interior of said container body connected to and extending downwardly from said container top, said drinking straw having upper and lower straw ends and said straw guide maintaining the straw oriented with the upper straw end below said first top portion whereby said upper straw end will be in a position enabling said upper straw end to protect through said first opening after said first top portion has been bent downwardly relative to said first bend line by said tab member to form said first opening, said straw guide surrounding said drinking straw and including an upper open guide end positioned below said first top portion; anda projection attached to said drinking straw at the lower straw end engageable with said straw guide during upward movement of said drinking straw within said straw guide to prevent the lower straw end from exiting said straw guide through said upper open guide end, said upper guide end and said container top defining a space therebetween for accommodating said first top portion when said first top portion is being bent downwardly relative to said first bend line by said tab member to form said first opening.