Patent Publication Number: US-2013240543-A1

Title: Taller Closures for Beverage Containers to enable Drinking Straws to be packaged inside the Beverage Containers

Description:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For other objects and a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following brief description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, where: 
     FIGS. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ] are vertical sectional views that show a closer partial view of the top portion of containers utilizing the present invention with several examples of some optional gaskets; and 
     FIGS. [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ] are vertical sectional views of some examples of the preferred embodiments of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 18  is a top plan view of the invention, showing various shapes that the invention can have. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring now more in detail to the drawings, 
     [LID] represents the lid of any beverage container [CONT] (e.g. bottles, cartons, pouches, et cetera), all using threaded fasteners [FAST],
 
[T-LID] represents the outside top wall of the lid [LID],
 
[U-LID] represents the underside (of the top wall) of the lid [LID],
 
[S-LID] represents the side wall(s) of the lid [LID],
 
[GASK] represents a gasket comprised of any suitable material,
 
[STRW] represents a drinking straw,
 
[T-STRW] represents the top of a drinking straw,
 
[T-CONT] represents the opening at the top of any beverage container [CONT] (e.g. bottles, cartons, pouches, et cetera), all substantially as illustrated.
 
     The opening [T-CONT] at the top of the container [CONT] may also be illustrated with a dashed line in the drawings. 
     All the threaded fasteners [FAST] referred to in this invention can be of any type that are integrated onto the flanges of containers [CONT] and lids [LID] and said fasteners will not be shown in detail in drawings, but are obvious. 
     The drawings show one straw [STRW], but in practice, more than one straw may be packaged into the container [CONT] if desired. 
     SPECIFICATION 
     This Non-Provisional application is claiming the benefit of the prior filed Provisional application (Application No. 61/503,997), that was filed on Jul. 1, 2011 at the USPTO. 
     Again, for this invention, I thank GOD, the Creator of the Universe, for inspiring Me to complete this task. 
     In the practice of my invention, an improved closure with room for one or more drinking straws is provided and includes a lid [LID] having a top wall [T-LID] and a side wall [S-LID], the threaded fastener [FAST] of the lid [LID] is used to firmly secure the lid [LID] to the container [CONT], and if desired, a gasket [GASK] is, also provided, as all will be obvious. 
     A gasket [GASK] is shown in the drawings, but the invention pertains to lids with and without gaskets. 
     A straw [STRW] is illustrated as being in the container [CONT] with the upper end thereof [T-STRW] extending upwardly into the space provided within the upper portions [ROOM] of the lid [LID]. 
     The amount of room [ROOM] provided within the lid [LID] can be of any volume. 
     The distance between the underside of the lid [U-LID] and the top of the straw [T-STRW] can be any distance. 
     The distance between the underside of the lid [U-LID] and the top of the container [T-CONT] can be any distance. 
     The extra height of the lid [LID] provides space [ROOM] for the straw [STRW], and the extra height can be of any height to provide space for any length of straw [STRW]. 
     While several shapes of the extended portion of the lid [LID] has been shown in the sectional views of the Fig&#39;s, it may be of any suitable shape, for example round, square, et cetera, and furthermore, while several shapes of the lid [LID] has been shown in the top plan view illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the shapes in the top plan view of the lid [LID] may be of any suitable shape, for example round, square, et cetera. 
     The removing of lids [LID] with threaded fasteners [FAST] may be accomplished with a conventional twisting of the lids and the sealing thereof may be effected in the usual manner. 
     The straw [STRW] may be formed of paper, plastic, or any other suitable material. 
     Each straw [STRW] may be of any type (e.g. single, double, corrugated, et cetera). 
     It should now be apparent that My invention illustrates container lids containing the same or more room for drinking straws than that already illustrated in prior art, allowing the same or a greater amount of room for drinking straws than that permitted by other patents, whereupon My invention allows the contents of the container to be as easily or more easily consumed immediately after removing the lid than that of prior art. 
     It should now also be apparent that My invention illustrates container lids that are of the type that are not crimped to the bottle or container, eliminating the necessity of needing to use a bottle opening or the like to remove the lid. 
     It should now also be apparent that My invention illustrates numerous examples of container lids that are of the type that use threaded fasteners, thereby providing a lid that may be unfastened and refastened onto the container. 
     While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.