Abstract:
An integrated straw and container. The container includes an interior bottom surface and defines an opening near an upper portion of the container. A cap can be placed onto the container to close the container, and then removed to open the container. The straw includes a shape that operates as a spring operates to create two states: a resting or expanded state and a compressed state. In the resting state of the straw, the overall distance from the first end to the second end is greater than the distance from the interior bottom surface of the container to the opening of the container. The straw is placed into the container and the container is sealed forcing the straw into a compressed state. Upon removal of the cap, the straw returns to a resting state in which the upper end protrudes from the container opening.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to liquid holding systems and, more particularly, to liquid holding systems having an integral means for extracting the contained liquid. Specifically, disclosed herein is a system that comprises, at a minimum, a container with an integral straw aspect. 
         [0002]    One could argue that our lives today are busier than ever. Perhaps one of the most demanding occupations of today&#39;s hectic lifestyles is that of the proverbial soccer mom. Every waking hour for a soccer mom entails service to her kids and, sometimes, even kids belonging to other soccer moms. She carts kids to school, band practice, baseball tryouts, music lessons, play dates, church functions, etc., etc., and so forth. There is seemingly no end to the demands on her time. Is it any surprise, therefore, that the preferred victuals of soccer moms everywhere is not the product of hours slaved in her kitchen but, rather, the contents of a bag passed through a fast food drive-through window? Should we find it curious that she doesn&#39;t truck her carload of kids home to sit down at a dining room table but, rather, frequently opts to dole out the ready-made fare to her juvenile passengers as she continues on to the next appointment? 
         [0003]    Regardless of how we would prefer a soccer mom to provide comestibles to those in her care, we must admit that her methods are inevitably born from extreme demands on her time. While pulling through a drive-through window is one way to quickly distribute nourishment to the kids in her backseat, the process is not without its unique hassles. For instance, a particularly cumbersome step involves inserting straws into drink containers before passing them back to the parched passengers. 
         [0004]    Though the task of inserting straws into containers sounds simple on its face, it is actually a multi-step process in, and of, itself. The first step, of course, is to remove a cap, top, cover or otherwise open the container. Next, as it is commonplace for liquid containers purchased at restaurants to be equipped with safety seals, any seal must be at least partially removed in anticipation of inserting a straw. Third, the straw itself must be extracted from its paper or plastic wrapper prior to being inserted into the freshly opened container. Only after the combination of the aforementioned steps can the assembled drink system finally be passed to the waiting hands in the backseat. 
         [0005]    It should also be noted that many dental professionals recommend that individuals should consume drinks with a straw. The use of a straw directs liquids around the teeth and into the throat. For many liquids, especially those with sugar or staining capabilities, the use of a straw advantageously promotes the maintenance of strong and healthy teeth. As such, there is a need in the art to facilitate the ease of use and availability of straws for beverages. 
         [0006]    Notably, the common system and method outlined above is not only involved in its steps but also produces waste in the multiple forms of the drink container, the safety seal, the straw, and the straw wrapper. Further, it is cumbersome to assemble and prone to spillage when wielded by children in the backseat of a moving vehicle. Therefore, what is needed in the art is a system for the delivery of a liquid that includes an integral straw aspect, is operable to be safely sealed until use, requires minimal steps in preparation of use, and produces minimal articles of waste. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Various embodiments, aspects and features of the disclosure encompass a system and/or a method for the delivery of a liquid to customers of a food establishment, convenience store, or other outlet. Various embodiments include an integrated straw and container. One embodiment includes a container defining an interior portion suitable for containing a liquid. The container includes an interior bottom surface and defines an opening near an upper portion of the container. The opening defines a cap receptacle that can receive a cap. The cap can be placed onto the container to close the container, and then removed to open the container. In some embodiments the cap may be replaceable. Further, the embodiment includes a tube having a first end and a second end. The tube, which functions as a straw, includes a shape that operates as a spring. For instance, the shape may be a helical coil, an S bend, a curve or any of a variety of other configurations. The shape, which will be referred to as the spring, resides between the first end and the second end of the tube. As such, the tube has two states: a resting or expanded state and a compressed state. In the resting state of the tube, the overall distance from the first end to the second end is greater than the distance from the interior bottom surface of the container to the opening of the container. In operation, the tube and a liquid are placed into the container and the container is sealed. In sealing the container, the tube is forced into a compressed state wherein the tube is compressed in the interior of the container between a lower surface of the cap and the interior bottom surface. The spring retains a force in a compressed state that is released when the cap is removed and the tube can return to a resting state in which the upper end of the tube protrudes from the container opening. 
         [0008]    This and various other embodiments will be more fully described in the detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0009]      FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , collectively referred to as  FIG. 1 , illustrate a cross-sectional view of a coiled spring straw embodiment in the closed state and the open state. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the liquid delivery system in a sealed position, which features a straight straw, a top guide, and a convertible bottle profile. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the liquid delivery system in an open position, which features a straight straw, a top guide, and a convertible bottle profile. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the liquid delivery system that includes a straw component with a bendable joint. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the liquid delivery system that includes a straw feature that is integral to the wall of the container. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is yet another embodiment of a container with an expandable straw. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Embodiments and aspects of the present invention provide a solution to the above-described need in the art, as well as other needs in the art by providing the user with a liquid holding device that contains an integral straw. Additional aspects of the invention may provide a user with a system operable to be hermetically sealed or otherwise sealed for safety. Further, advantageous aspects of the disclosed system may include convenience and simplicity of operation or the production of minimal waste. 
         [0016]    Embodiments of the disclosed system are useful for the delivery of products including, but not limited to, milk, juice, low viscosity yogurt products or the like. Variations of embodiments of the liquid delivery system disclosed herein comprise a straw aspect that is either integral to the liquid holding container or, at least, readily contained within the overall system. Advantageously, the inclusion of the straw aspect alleviates the need for a user to apply a separate straw device in order to gain access to the liquid contained within. 
         [0017]    Users of embodiments of the disclosed system may be required to remove a cap, puncture a seal, or apply a force in order to position an integral straw aspect such that liquid can be extracted. Regardless of the specific method for conversion to a form operable to provide access to a gained liquid, embodiments of the system reduce the number of separate devices and/or steps and provide a user with a convenient, efficiently packaged liquid delivery system 
         [0018]    Turning now to the figures, where like labels represent like elements throughout the drawings, various aspects, features and embodiments of the present invention will be presented in more detail. The examples as set forth in the drawings and detailed description are provided by way of explanation of the invention and are not meant as limitations of the invention. The present invention thus includes any modifications and variations of the following examples as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , collectively referred to as  FIG. 1 , illustrate a cross-sectional view of a coiled spring straw embodiment in the closed state and the open state.  FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the liquid delivery system, in a sealed state or unopened state, that includes a straw aspect with a pre-loaded spring constant. The main container  100  of the system may be comprised of plastic, glass, cellulose or any other material known to those skilled in the art. Notably, the particular shape or material of construction for the main container  100  of various embodiments may be novel all its own but should not limit the scope of the invention. Contained within the space  140  defined by the main container  100  is a coiled straw  120  aspect, the bottom opening  110  of which is in the vicinity of the bottom most surface of the main container  100 . It should be appreciated that in lieu of or in addition to bottom opening  110 , the straw may have a plurality of holes positioned proximate to the bottom of the container to facilitate the extraction of liquid from the container. It should also be appreciated that although the straw is shown as including a helical coil or spring-like configuration that a variety of other shapes or structures could be used to provide the same effect. In general, any shape that would allow the straw to compress when a force is applied between the ends and then expand again to a resting state when the force is removed. Thus, non-limiting examples of other shapes may include an “S”, a square wave, a horseshoe or “U” or “C” shaped bend, a saw tooth, etc. The coiled straw  120  may also be described as a compression spring with an associated constant, k, the value of which will be known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0020]    The  FIG. 1  embodiment is shown in a sealed or unopened state. The cap  130  is operable to seal the main container  100  and apply a force that compresses the coiled straw  120 . Advantageously, a safety seal of a type to known to those skilled in the art may be applied directly beneath the cap  130  and above the coiled straw  120 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of the opened container. When the cap  130 , and safety seal if applicable, is removed from the main container  100 , the coiled straw  120  is free to expand from its compressed state and a portion of the straw  125  then extends above the uppermost surface of the main container  100 . Advantageously, a user can easily extract the liquid contents via suction applied to the coiled straw  120 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , collectively referred to as  FIG. 2 , are cross-sectional views of another embodiment that includes a pop-up straw.  FIG. 2A  shows a cross-sectional view of the liquid delivery system in a sealed or unopened state, which features a straw, typically a straight straw but it could also be curved angled etc.  220 , a top guide  250 , and a main bottle profile  200  operable to be converted to a different shape. The main bottle  200  features weak points  210  in the base area that provides a means by which the base  260  of the container  200  can be deflected upward. When in the sealed state, however, the weak points  210  are not employed and the base  260  of the main container  200  is roughly level. 
         [0023]    Similar to the embodiment described relative to  FIG. 1 , a main container  200  defines a space  240  useful to contain a liquid and a straw  220  feature. Different from the  FIG. 1  embodiment, however, the straw  220  depicted in  FIG. 2  is of a traditional, straight tube design; however those skilled in the art will appreciate that the features depicted in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  could be combined into a third embodiment. In addition, the straw depicted in  FIG. 2  may also be curved or kinked to prevent the straw from being easily removed from the container. In addition, the straw may be angled such that the lower end of the straw will rest near a low edge of the interior area  240  and then bend prior to reaching the upper end to allow the straw to extend up through the opening. The straw  220  is of a length that makes it operable to simultaneously communicate with the base  260  of the main container  200  and a positioning feature  250  integral to the underside of the top of the main container  200 . Notably, a safety seal may be featured beneath the cap  230  and above the straw  220 . Unlike the embodiment described in  FIG. 1 , however, the straw is not necessarily loaded by the force of a tightened cap  230 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 2B  depicts the same embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A , except in an open state. The cap  230  is shown removed from the main container  200 . Once the cap  230  is removed, a user may apply a force  270  to the underside of the base  260  of the main container  200 . The upward force  270  operates to deflect the base  260  at the weak points  210  and push the straw  220  through an opening defined by the integral top guides  250 . Advantageously, the opening defined by the integral top guides  250  may be easily sealed with a safety seal that can be punctured when the upward force  270  forces is applied to the straw  220  via the base  260 . While the embodiment depicted shows a main container  200  with a base  270  area featuring weak points  210 , it should be appreciated that any number of deflectable profiles known to those skilled in the art may be employed without limiting the scope of the invention. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the liquid delivery system that includes a straw  320  component with a bendable joint  330 . Similar to the embodiments described prior, the  FIG. 3  embodiment features a straw  320  component contained within the space  340  defined by a main container  300 . An additional aspect depicted in  FIG. 3 , which may also be included in other embodiments, is a straw shape operable to place the end of the straw  310  in a corner of the space  340  defined by the main container  300 . The straw  320  depicted features an accordion style bend  330  in the upper portion of the straw  320  that provides a means by which the straw portion  350  exterior to the main container  300  may communicate with the top of the main container  300 . Advantageously, the exterior portion of the straw  350  may be sealed to the top of the main container  300  until a user desires access to the contained liquid. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the liquid delivery system that includes a straw feature  420  that is integral to the wall of the container  400 . In this embodiment, the lower end  410  of the straw  420  extends through the wall and into the space  440  defined by the main container  400 . Advantageously, there are no moving parts in the depicted embodiment as the straw  420  is integral to wall of the main container  400 . The top opening of the straw may be sealed according to methods known to those skilled in the art. To gain access to the liquid contained within, a user may remove any seal over the top of the straw  430 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is yet another embodiment of a container with an expandable straw. This embodiment includes a container  500  and a tube  520 . In this embodiment, the tube  520  is attached to the interior bottom surface  502  of the container  500 . The tube  520  includes an orifice  522  at the point of attachment with the bottom surface  502  which allows liquid to be drawn through the interior of the tube  520 . The tube also includes an expandable portion  524 , such as an accordion type structure. When the top  524  is removed, the tube  520  can be griped and pulled to expand the expandable portion  524  to protrude from the container  500  opening. The tube  520  can be attached to the bottom surface  502  in a variety of manners including sonic welding or the like, or even be integral to the container. In other embodiments, the tube  520  may not be attached at all but rather can be easily removed from the container, expanded and then reinserted. In other embodiments, where the cap  524  is a pull off cap or in which a seal is placed under the cap, the tube may also be attached to the underside of the cap or seal. In such an embodiment, as the cap or seal is removed, the tube  520  automatically expands due to the force being applied in lifting the cap or seal while the tube  520  is attached to the bottom surface  502 . Once expanded, the cap or seal can be twisted off of the tube  520 . In other similar embodiments in which the tube  520  is not connected to the bottom surface  502 , the tube may be connected to the underside of the cap or seal. As the cap or seal is removed, a user can gain access to the tube  520 , expand the tube  520  and then place the tube back into the container. 
         [0028]    Various aspects, features and characteristics of the present invention have been described. Not all of the aspects, features or characteristics are required for each and every embodiment of the present invention. However, it will be appreciated that the various aspects, features, characteristics and combinations thereof may be considered novel in and of themselves. Further documentation in support of the description detailed herein is appended to this application.