Patent ID: 8403172

Claim:
A collapsible straw assembly, comprising: a container adapted to hold a liquid fluid; a recess formed in said container; an aperture formed in said container through which said liquid fluid can flow; a collapsible straw having a first end and a second end; said straw having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; said straw disposed within said recess of said container when said straw is in said collapsed configuration; a protective lining disposed in overlying relation to said collapsible straw when said straw is in said collapsed configuration; said protective lining sealed to a surface of said recess to enclose said straw and protect said straw from an external environment when said straw is in said collapsed configuration; said protective lining having an outer planar side and an inner planar side; said outer planar side facing said external environment and including a protective material; said inner planar side facing said straw when said straw is in said collapsed configuration and including a sanitizing material, wherein said sanitizing material is used to sanitize said straw when said straw is in said expanded configuration; a first adhesive disposed on said surface of said recess; a means of securing said first end of said straw to said container via said first adhesive in said recess when said straw is in said collapsed configuration; and a second adhesive disposed on said inner planar side of said protective lining; a means of securing said second end of said straw to said protective lining via said second adhesive on said inner planar side of said protective lining when said straw is in said collapsed configuration.