Patent Document

REFERENCE TO PENDING APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application claiming priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/268,219, filed Nov. 10, 2008, entitled Extensible Straw for a Disposable Collapsible Drink Mixing Container, which is a continuation-in-part application claiming priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/900,060, filed Sep. 10, 2007, entitled Extensible Straw for a Disposable Collapsible Drink Mixing Container, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,823,802, issued Nov. 2, 2010, which is a continuation-in-part application claiming priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/397,219, filed Apr. 4, 2006, entitled Disposable Collapsible Drink Mixing Container. 
    
    
     REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     This application is not referenced in any microfiche appendix. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to containers for beverages and more particularly concerns disposable containers for storing and mixing drink ingredients with water or other liquids and the straws used for dispensing the mixed beverage from the container to the consumer. 
     There are a variety of known disposable containers for carrying beverages in liquid form for consumption directly from the container. Some use straws, stored either inside or outside the container. There are also collapsible containers for carrying ingredients in a solid or concentrated liquid to be mixed with water or other liquids at the time of consumption. There are several problems and inconveniences inherent in the configuration of these known disposable and collapsible containers. 
     The disposable containers store the beverage in a liquid, ready-to-drink state. Consequently, the container takes on the full weight and volume of the ready-to-drink beverage whether or not the consumer is ready to drink. This weight and volume may not pose a significant disadvantage if only one container is being transported but, for example, to a hiker or soldier on an extended trip with no source of flavored or fortified drinks along the way, the weight and volume of multiple containers becomes a burden. Furthermore, known disposable containers generally cannot be resealed and have no suitable access for adding liquid. 
     Those disposable containers which require straws do not have straw-to-container accesses which satisfactorily minimize leakage during use. Those which do not require straws have drink dispensing ports which are not satisfactory in terms of spillage of beverage during drinking or which would make satisfactory collapse of the container difficult if not impossible. 
     The collapsible containers for drink ingredients are generally intended for repeated use and are not intended to be disposable after a single use. While they are collapsible to some extent, they do not collapse sufficiently to make it feasible to carry many of them at the same time. Since they are reusable, they are generally made of too expensive and heavy materials and of too complex structural configuration for one-time-only use. 
     The straws commonly in use for extracting beverages from collapsible and disposable beverage containers are supplied external to the container and are easily lost. They are inserted into the container by puncturing a hole through the container wall at a specific location near or at the top of the container, and therefore, require a sharp point on one end, an undesirable feature especially for children. The containers are difficult to transport without leakage if the beverage in the container is only partially consumed, generally requiring that the collapsible beverage container stay in an upright position and not be compressed. This problem is all the more compelling if the container is used by a very active person such as a biker, hiker or soldier. 
     Known telescoping straws do not provide for sealing the bottom end of the straw to prevent the entrance of liquid when the fully- or partially-filled beverage container is transported with the straw in place. Known telescoping straws do not provide adequate seals against flow of liquid between the inner and outer tubular straw members. 
     Caps are not supplied with the straws commonly used with collapsible and disposable beverage containers and, when they are supplied they do not adequately seal the container for transport with the straw in place. 
     It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a disposable beverage ingredients container which collapses to a substantially flat condition. Another object of this invention is to provide a disposable beverage ingredients container which stores beverage ingredients in a solid or condensed liquid state. Still another object of this invention is to provide a disposable beverage ingredients container into which the consumer can add water or other liquids at the time of consumption. It is also an object of this invention to provide a disposable beverage ingredients container in which stored ingredients can be mixed with water or other liquids at the time of consumption. A further object of this invention is to provide a disposable beverage ingredients container from which the consumer can drink directly without a straw. Yet another object of this invention is to provide a disposable beverage ingredients container which includes a straw. Another object of this invention is to provide a disposable beverage ingredients container which has a leakage resistant straw-to-container access. Still another object of this invention is to provide a disposable beverage ingredients container which has a spillage resistant filling port. It is also an object of this invention to provide a disposable beverage ingredients container which has a filling port which can be resealed. A further object of this invention is to provide a disposable beverage ingredients container with a straw that can be closed. Yet another object of this invention is to provide a disposable beverage ingredients container which is simply and inexpensively constructed. And it is an object of this invention to provide a disposable beverage ingredients container which may be resealable for future use. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a straw which can be incorporated as an integral part of a collapsible or disposable beverage container. Still another object of this invention is to provide a straw which does not require a sharp point on one end. It is also an object of this invention to provide a straw that establishes a seal between the straw and the beverage container wall. A further object of this invention is to provide a telescoping straw which seals against liquid entrance or exit on both ends of the straw when it is in a collapsed condition. Yet another object of this invention is to provide a telescoping straw which effectively seals against flow of liquid between the inner and outer tubular straw members. Another object of this invention is to provide a telescoping straw which cannot be extended beyond a predetermined limit. Still another object of this invention is to provide a telescoping straw equipped with a cap which fully encloses the top of the straw. And it is an object of this invention to provide a telescoping straw equipped with a cap provides multiple seals to prevent the escape of liquid. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the invention, a drink has a liquid-tight*film pouch which is collapsible into a substantially flat condition. Drink ingredients in a solid or condensed liquid state can be stored in or added to the pouch through an opening in an upper portion of the pouch. A cover with a liquid tight seal closes the opening. The opening is located and the cover contoured to conform with the desired substantially flat storage condition. 
     Preferably, the pouch has opposed front and rear panels sealed together along their side edges and top and bottom panels with their perimeters sealed to the top and bottom perimeters of the front and rear panels. The top and bottom panels are foldable across their widths into the substantially flat condition and are preferably elliptical so the pouch assumes a substantially ovate horizontal cross-section condition as it is filled with liquid. In preferred embodiments, the fill opening may be approximately centered on and have a perimeter on one side of the major axis of the elliptical top panel or may be spaced away from the minor axis with its perimeter on one side of the major axis of the elliptical top panel. 
     The fill opening has a resealable cover which may be a plug insertable into the opening. In one embodiment, the plug and the opening have co-operable means on peripheral edges thereof for resisting inadvertent removal of the plug from the opening. For example, the cover may have a flat, thin, substantially rigid collar fixed around a perimeter of the opening and be hinged to a flat, thin, substantially rigid plug insertable into the collar. Alternatively, the fill opening can be covered with an adhesive strip. The pouch may also have a dispense opening in its top panel, preferably with its perimeter on one side of the major axis of the top panel. The dispense opening may have a straw extending through it. Preferably, the straw has a first tubular member with a closed bottom end and at least one aperture through a lower portion of its side wall and a second tubular member longer than and in reciprocally slidable abutment within the first tubular member. The second tubular member slides between a closed condition with an open bottom end of the second tubular member seated on the closed bottom end of the first tubular member and an open condition with the open bottom end of the second tubular member above an uppermost of the second tubular member apertures. Preferably, the tubular members have means on their abutting surfaces for sealing the annulus between them against flow of liquid into the bottom of the second tubular member when the bottom of the second tubular member is seated on the bottom of the first tubular member. The sealing means may, for example, be a mating annular ring and groove on the tubular members in the annulus below the lowermost aperture of the first tubular member or a conical protrusion in the bottom of the first tubular member for seating the open bottom of the second tubular in the closed condition. The straw may also include means on abutting surfaces of the tubular members for sealing the annulus against upward flow of liquid to a top of the first tubular member. This may also be accomplished by one or more sets of mating annular rings and grooves. 
     A cap may be used to close the open upper end of the second tubular member against upward flow of liquid. If so, it is preferred that the cap is attached to the pouch by a flexible connector so that the cap can be mounted on and removed from the upper end of the second tubular member. Means is also provided for locking the tubular members in the closed condition, such as mating male and female threads on abutting surfaces of the tubular members. 
     Whether the container has separate fill and dispense openings, has a common fill and dispense opening, or uses or does not use a straw, it will store the mixing ingredients in substantially flat packages which are easily stacked on each other for transport. 
     A preferred embodiment of the straw has an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member longer than the outer tubular member. The outer tubular member has a closed bottom end and at least two apertures through the lower portion of its side wall. The inner tubular member has an upper portion of outer diameter which is reciprocally slidable in abutment within the upper portion of the outer tubular member. The inner tubular member slides between a fully-closed condition when its open bottom end is seated on the closed bottom end of the outer tubular member and a fully-opened condition when its open bottom end is above an uppermost of the apertures in the outer tubular member. Preferably, the closed bottom end of the outer tubular member has a dome-like protrusion extending upwardly for at least partial insertion into the open bottom end of the inner tubular member so that the protrusion and the open bottom end can mate to provide a seal against flow of liquid into the open bottom end in the fully-closed condition. 
     It is further preferred that the annulus between the tubular members be sealed against flow of liquid when the bottom of the inner tubular member is seated on the bottom of the outer tubular member. Abutting surfaces of the tubular members are configured for this purpose by inclusion of a pair of co-operable tapered surfaces, one on the inner wall of the outer tubular member and another on the outer wall of the inner tubular member. The pair mates not lower than above the uppermost of the apertures of the outer tubular member so as to prevent flow in the annulus above the mating point. The tapers are also dimensioned to provide a concentric space in the annulus below their mating point so that liquid flows through the apertures into the inner tubular member as soon as the inner tubular member has been withdrawn from the fully closed condition. The annulus between the inner and outer walls of the tubular members may further be sealed against flow of liquid when the bottom of the inner tubular member is not fully closed. An annular bead on either the outer wall of the inner tubular member or the inner wall of the outer tubular member above the tapered surface seal will serve this purpose. 
     A top end seal may be formed by inclusion of another pair of tapered surfaces, one on the inner wall of the outer tubular member and another on the outer wall of the inner tubular member. This top end pair of tapered surfaces mates proximate the upper end of the outer tubular member and helps assure that liquid will not inadvertently leak from the straw outside of the container. 
     To prevent complete withdrawal of the inner tubular member from the outer tubular member, an annular groove in the inner wall of the outer tubular member co-operates with a ring of flexible radial tabs which extend inwardly from the circumferential wall of the annular groove and into flapping contact with the outer wall of the inner tubular member during reciprocal motion of the inner tubular member. An annular slot in the outer wall of the inner tubular member receives the tabs when the annular slot and the annular groove are aligned. The tabs have upper surfaces which, when forces on the tabs are released in the slot, abut the upper surface of the annular groove. This prohibits disengagement of the tabs from the annular slot. Thus, the elevations of the tabs and slot on their respective tubes set the predetermined limit beyond which the inner tubular member cannot be withdrawn. 
     The open top of the inner tubular member is preferably covered and uncovered by use of a cap. In a preferred embodiment of the cap, a plug in the top of the cap inserts into the open top end of the inner tubular member. Complementary threads on the inside of the cap sidewalls and the outside of the outer tubular member draw the cap plug and the closed bottom end of the outer tubular member toward each other cap is tightened on the threads. This simultaneously seals the open top and bottom ends of the inner tubular member in the fully-closed condition. An annular flange may be provided around the outer tubular member and positioned to lie below the cap in the fully-closed condition. A tether connects the cap to the annular flange. 
     In conjunction with the cap, the straw may also have another pair of top end tapered surfaces co-operable with the first top end tapered surfaces. The added pair has one tapered surface on the outer wall of the outer tubular member and the other tapered surface on the inner wall of the cap. This pair of tapered surfaces also mates at the upper end of the outer tubular member so that the upper end of the outer tubular member is squeezed between these pairs of tapers in the fully-closed condition to tightly seal the straw assembly. 
     In yet another embodiment, the straw has a body with a passage extending longitudinally through it from top to bottom. An outer tubular member depends from the body. The bottom end of the outer tubular member is closed and the side wall of the outer tubular member has at least one longitudinal slot, and preferably two diametrically opposed longitudinal slots, extending upwardly from its bottom end. An inner tubular member extends through the body and into the outer tubular member. The diameter of the inner tubular member is such as to be engaged in and snugly reciprocally slide in the body passage. The diameters of the inner and outer tubular members are such as to create an annular passage between them. The inner tubular member reciprocates between a fully-closed condition in which the open bottom end of the inner tubular member is seated on the closed bottom end of the outer tubular member and a fully-opened condition in which the open bottom end of the inner tubular member is raised above the closed bottom end of the outer tubular member. Preferably, the closed bottom end of the outer tubular member has an upwardly extending dome-like protrusion which at least partially inserts into and mates with the open bottom end of the inner tubular member to provide a seal against flow of liquid into the open bottom end in the fully-closed condition. Also preferably, an outward flare on the open bottom end of the inner tubular member cooperates with the dome-like protrusion to provide the seal. During withdrawal of the inner tubular member from the outer tubular member, the flare will eventually mate with a tapered surface on an inner wall of the body to prevent further withdrawal of the inner tubular member from the body. 
     A cap with a top and sidewalls covers the open top end of the inner tubular member. Complementary threads on the inside of the cap sidewalls and the outside of the body draw the cap and the closed bottom end of the outer tubular member toward each other during tightening rotation of the threads. A plug in the top of the cap is inserted into the open top end of the inner tubular member as the straw comes into the fully closed condition. Thus the cap plug and outer tubular member closed bottom simultaneously seal the open top and bottom ends of the inner tubular member when the straw is in the fully-closed condition. Complementary tapers on the outside wall of the body above the threads and on the inside wall of the cap above the threads are also drawn into abutment with each other to provide a seal between the cap and the body when the straw is in the fully-closed condition. Preferably, to provide tamper-evident protection, an annular flange is provided on the body below the threads and the cap has a breakaway portion on its bottom end engaged on the flange so that the breakaway portion is separated from the cap the first time the cap is unscrewed from the body. A tether connects the cap to the breakaway portion. 
     The outer surface of the body is adapted for liquid-tight connection to a liquid container with the outer tubular member inside the container and the upper portion of the body outside of the container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of an embodiment of the container with a straw; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a flip-cap fill opening cover of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of another embodiment of the container with an adhesive strip fill opening cover; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a typical straw for use with various embodiments of the container; 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of another embodiment of the container without a straw; 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of another embodiment of the container with a straw; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the inner tubular member of the straw of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the fill hole insert of the container of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the outer tubular member and screw cap of the container of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a conical seal embodiment of the straw; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the straw in the fully closed condition taken along a diametric plane bisecting the outer tubular member apertures and extending through the cap tether with the straw; 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged view of the area  14  of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is an enlarged view of the area  15  of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a front elevation view illustrating the withdrawal limiting mechanism at the predetermined withdrawal limit of the straw; 
         FIG. 17  is a front elevation view illustrating a modification of the flange connecting the straw of  FIG. 13  to a container; 
         FIG. 18  is a front elevation view with parts broken away of another embodiment of the straw; 
         FIG. 19  is a side elevation view with parts broken away of the straw of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a diametric cross-sectional view of the straw of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 21  is an exploded view of the area  21 - 21  of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a front elevation view of the body and outer tubular member of the straw of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  23 - 23  of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  24 - 24  of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a diametric cross-sectional view transverse to the diametric view of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a diametric cross-sectional view of the inner tubular member of the straw of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 27  is an exploded view of the area  27 - 27  of  FIG. 18 ; and 
         FIG. 28  is an exploded diametric cross sectional view with parts broken away of an alternate embodiment of the body and an associated container fitment. 
     
    
    
     While the invention will be described in connection with preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments or to the details of the construction or arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning to  FIGS. 1-3 , a disposable container  10  for mixing and drinking liquids made by dissolving powdered ingredients or drink mixing ingredients in other than powdered form in water or other liquid is formed from a liquid-tight film pouch  11  which is collapsible into a substantially flat condition. The powdered drink ingredients, or drink mixing ingredients in other than powdered form, may be packaged in the pouch  11  or added to the pouch at the time of mixing. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the pouch  11  has a fill opening  13  in its upper portion and a means for closing  15  the fill opening with a liquid tight seal. The fill opening  13  provides access to the pouch  11  for introduction of the ingredients and liquid into the pouch  11  for mixing and may also be used for dispensing the mixed drink from the pouch  11 . The location of the fill opening  13  and the contour of the closing means  15  are coordinated for conformance of the closing means  15  with the desired substantially flat condition of the pouch  11  in its storage condition. 
     Continuing to look at  FIGS. 1-3 , the pouch  11  has opposed front and rear panels  21  and  23  which are sealed together along their side edges  25  and  27  and top and bottom panels  31  and  33  which are sealed along their perimeters to the top and bottom perimeters  35  and  37  of the front and rear panels  21  and  23 . As best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the top and bottom panels  31  and  33  fold across their widths into the substantially flat condition. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the fill opening  13  is in the top panel  31 . The sealed top and bottom perimeters  35  and  37  of the pouch  11  are, as shown, preferably elliptical and fold along their major axes  29  and  39  so that the flat pouch  11  assumes a substantially ovate horizontal cross-section condition as it is being filled with liquid. As shown, the perimeter of the fill opening  13  is entirely on one side of the major axis  29  of the ovate cross-section. The fill opening  13  may, as seen in  FIG. 3 , be spaced from or, as seen in  FIG. 5 , be centered on, the minor axis  41  of the top panel  31 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a flip-cap closing means  43  for the fill opening  13  has a pair of flat, thin rigid panels  45  and  47  connected by a hinge  49 . One of the panels  45  has a plug  51  with a peripheral groove  53  and the other panel  47  has an opening  55  defining a collar  57  for co-operable engagement in the groove  53  of the plug  51  to resist inadvertent removal of the plug  51  from the fill opening  13 . The collar  57  is dimensioned to concur with the fill opening  13  and the collar panel  47  is fixed to the pouch top panel  31  with the fill opening  13  and collar  57  aligned. The collar panel  47  also has a latch  59  which engages the unhinged end  61  of the plug panel  45  when the collar  57  and the perimeter of the fill opening  13  are engaged in the plug groove  53 . The rigidity of the panels  45  and  47  facilitates manipulation of the flip-cap closure  43  and firm engagement of the plug  51  and latch  59 . The location and substantially flat contour of the plug  51  permit conformance of the plug  51  to the substantially flat storage condition of the pouch  11  in both the plug-inserted condition and the plug-removed condition. 
     Looking at  FIG. 5 , the fill opening  13  may alternatively be covered by a flap  62  with a pull tab  63  having a base  65  permanently fixed to the container top panel  31 . The base  65  has an opening aligned with the fill hole  13 . The flap  62  initially closes the fill hole  13  by use of an outer adhesive seal  67 . Once opened, a peel-off flap  68  can be removed to expose an inner adhesive seal  69  under the flap  68  used to close the opened fill hole  13 . As shown, the fill opening  13  is disposed with its perimeter on one side of the major axis  29  of the pouch top panel  31  and centered on the minor axis  41  of the top panel  31 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 3 ,  5  and  7 , the same opening  13  can be used without a straw for both filling and dispensing and, for drinking without a straw, the top panel  31  may preferably be configured to provide a taper  71  to an opening below the minor axis  41  of the top panel  31 . This facilitates manipulation of the pouch  11  during drinking and filling to an efficient flow configuration. 
     Returning to  FIG. 3 , another opening  73  may be provided in the pouch  11 , as shown proximate one end of the top panel  31  with its perimeter on the major axis  29  of the panel  31 , for dispensing the mixed drink from the pouch  11 . Looking at  FIG. 1 , a straw  81  extends through the dispense opening  73  to proximate the bottom panel  33  of the pouch  11 . The straw  81 , best seen in FIGS.  6  and  8 - 11 , has an outer tubular member  83  with an open upper end  85  and a closed bottom end  87 . At least one aperture  89  through the lower portion of the side wall of the outer tubular member  83  admits liquid from the pouch  11  into the outer tubular member  83 . The straw  81  also has an inner tubular member  91  longer than the outer tubular member  83 . The inner member  91  slides reciprocally in abutment within the outer tubular member  83  between a closed condition in which the open bottom  93  of the inner tubular member  91  is seated on the closed bottom  87  of the first tubular member  83  and an open condition in which the open bottom  93  of the inner tubular member  91  is positioned above the uppermost aperture  89  in the outer tubular member  83 . In the closed condition, liquid cannot freely pass through the apertures  89  in the outer tubular member  83  into the annulus  95  between the tubular members  83  and  91  or into the bottom  93  of the inner tubular member  91  from the annulus  95 . The resulting labyrinth effectively blocks flow of liquid into the inner tubular member  91 . In the open condition, liquid passes freely through every aperture  89  in the outer tubular member  83  and into the bottom  93  of the inner tubular member  91 . Between the open and closed conditions, liquid flows through exposed portions of the apertures  89  in the outer tubular member  83  into the bottom  93  of the inner tubular member  91 . To further assure a seal of the annulus  95 , means such as sets of mating annular rings and grooves  97  can be positioned on the abutting surfaces of the tubular members  83  and  91 . In the closed condition, at least one annular ring and groove set  97 , located below the lowermost aperture  89  in the outer tubular member  83 , mate at the same time that the bottom  93  of the inner tubular member  91  seats on the bottom  87  of the outer tubular member  83 . In the open condition, at least one mating annular ring and groove set  97  is located above the uppermost aperture  89  in the outer tubular member  83 . Seal of the annulus  95  may be accomplished in other ways such as, for example as seen in  FIG. 12 , a conical protrusion  101  in the bottom  87  of the outer tubular member  83  can seat the open bottom  93  of the inner tubular member  91  in the closed condition. The open upper end  99  of the inner tubular member  91  can also be provided with a cap  103  to block upward flow of liquid through the inner tubular member  91 . The cap  103  can be attached by a flexible connector  105  to a mounting ring  107  on the straw  81 , as seen in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , or to the pouch  11 , so that the upper end  99  of the inner tubular member  91  can be opened and closed as needed. 
     Going back to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the junction of the perimeter of the dispense opening  73  with the perimeter of the outer tubular member  83  of the straw  81  preferably has a liquid flow preventing seal  109 , perhaps accomplished by heat welding. Alternatively, as seen in  FIGS. 8-11 , an insert  111  with a threaded neck  113  aligned with the fill opening  13  of any embodiment and a base  115  fixed to the pouch  11  can be covered with a screw cap  117 . Such a closure can be used to cover either the fill or dispense openings  13  or  73 . In a straw type embodiment of the container  10 , either the screw cap  117  is provided with an opening  119  which snugly girts the outer tubular member  83  of the straw  81  or the screw cap  117  is integrally molded with the outer tubular member  83  of the straw  81 . The structure and operation of the tubular members  83  and  91  is otherwise substantially as hereinbefore described. The open upper end  99  of the inner tubular member  91  can also be covered with its own cap  103 , also as hereinbefore described. 
     The tubular members  83  and  91  may also be locked in the closed condition, for example and as shown in  FIG. 6 , by use of mating male and female threads  121  and  123  on abutting surfaces of the tubular members  83  and  91  so that, in the closed condition, the inner tubular member  91  can be rotated into a sealed threaded engagement with the outer tubular member  83 . 
     The locations of openings  13  and  73 , the use of a straw  81  and the types of opening covers  43  and  63  illustrated herein are interchangeable to achieve a variety of containers in keeping with the invention. The thickness, location and orientation of the straw  81  and the various covers  43  and  63  and caps  103  and  117  described above allow the container to maintain its desired substantially flat storage condition. In the screw cap straw embodiment of  FIG. 8 , it may be desirable to remove the tubular members  83  and  91  from the cap  117  for storage so that the base  115  of the insert  111  will follow the fold  29  of the top panel  31  of the pouch  11  into the storage condition. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 13-17 , a preferred embodiment of the straw is illustrated. The straw  200  has an outer tubular member  210 , an inner tubular member  250  and a cap  270 . 
     The Outer Tubular Member 
     Looking at  FIG. 13 , the outer tubular member  210  has a constant outer diameter, an upper portion  211  of constant inner diameter and a lower portion  213  of constant inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the upper portion  211 . At least two apertures, as shown upper and lower large apertures  215  and  217 , are vertically spaced and aligned proximate the closed bottom  219  of the outer tubular member  210  to admit liquid from the container C into the straw. The apertures  215  and  217  are ovate with their major axes aligned coaxially with the outer tubular member  210 . The decrease in inner diameter is accomplished by an inside wall taper  221  at the top of the upper aperture  215 , best seen in  FIG. 14 . As best seen in  FIG. 15 , the outer tubular member  210  also has an inside wall annular bubble or bead  223  spaced above the taper  221 . 
     The outer tubular member  210  has external threads  225  at its top end  227 . Inside and outside wall tapers  229  and  231  gradually narrow the thickness of the upper portion  211  of the outer tubular member  210  at its top end  227 . The closed bottom end  219  of the outer tubular member  210  has a dome-like protrusion  233  which extends upwardly into the outer tubular member  210 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 13 and 16 , the outer tubular member  210  also has an annular flange  235  proximate and below its external threads  225 . The annular flange  235  is thick enough to house an annular groove  237  in the inside wall of the outer tubular member  210 . A ring of resiliently flexible tabs  239  extends radially inwardly from the circumferential back wall of the annular groove  237 . As is seen in  FIG. 16 , when no force is applied to the tabs  239 , the tabs  239  extend beyond the inner diameter of the upper portion  211  of the outer tubular member  210 . The upper surfaces of the tabs  239  in the no-force applied condition of  FIG. 16  abut the top wall of the groove  237 . The bottom wall of the groove  237  is downwardly sloped, so the tabs  239  can flex between a downwardly arced condition entirely within the groove  237 , as seen in  FIG. 13 , and a substantially horizontal condition protruding from the groove  237 , as seen in  FIG. 16 . The annular flange  235  shown has a wide diameter base  241  to facilitate mounting the straw on the container C and a channel  243  in its outer circumference above the base  241  for securing an O-ring-like member  245  to the outer tubular member  210 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 17 , illustrating a modification of the flange  235 , the flange  235  may be formed in two mating segments  247  and  249 . As shown, the outer and inner segments  247  and  249  are threadedly engaged. Other engagement methods, such as a tab-slot combination, could be used. Because of the mating combination, there is no need for a separate fill hole in the top panel of the container C. Filling the container C can be accomplished by unscrewing or otherwise separating the mated flange segments  247  and  249 , removing the detached portion of the straw with the inner portion  249  of the flange  235  from the container C, filling the container C through the opening resulting from the removal of the inner portion  249  of the flange  235  and reinstalling the straw and inner flange  249  in the outer flange portion  247 . As shown, mating tapered surfaces  248  may be provided on the top of the flange portions  247  and  249  to seal against leakage of liquid when the flange portions  247  and  249  are fully screwed together or otherwise engaged. 
     The Inner Tubular Member 
     As seen in  FIG. 13 , the inner tubular member  250 , which is longer than the outer tubular member  210 , has a constant inner diameter, an upper portion  251  of constant outer diameter, an intermediate portion  253  of constant outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the upper portion  251  and a lower portion  255  of constant outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the intermediate portion  253 . The outer diameter of the intermediate portion  253  of the inner tubular member  250  is such that the intermediate portion  253  of the inner tubular member  250  is reciprocally slidable in abutment within the upper portion  211  of the outer tubular member  210 . Preferably, the outer diameter of the intermediate portion  253  is so coordinated to the inner diameter of the outer tubular member  210  as to allow reciprocation of the inner tubular member  250  with minimal exertion of force while maximizing the resistance to flow of liquid between the outer tubular member  210  and the inner tubular member  250 . 
     The decreases in outer diameter of the inner tubular member  250  are accomplished by outside wall tapers  257  and  259 . Looking at  FIG. 14 , the lower taper  257  is positioned to mate with the taper  221  at the top of the upper aperture  215  of the outer tubular member  210  when the open bottom end  261  of the inner tubular member  250  is fully seated on the dome-like protrusion  233  on the closed bottom end  219  of the outer tubular member  210 . In this, the fully closed condition, the dome-like protrusion  233  seals the otherwise open bottom end  261  of the inner tubular member  250  and the mating tapers  221  and  257  on the outer and inner tubular members  210  and  250  seals off the annulus  263  between the tubular members  210  and  250  above the mating tapers  221  and  257 . The narrower diameter at the lower portion  255  of the inner tubular member  250  affords a concentric space  265  in the annulus  263  below the mating tapers  221  and  257  and across the apertures  215  and  217  in the outer tubular member  210  to prevent creation of a vacuum between the tubular members  210  and  250  as the inner tubular member  250  is withdrawn and to facilitate immediate flow of liquid through the apertures  215  and  217  into the open bottom end  261  of the inner tubular member  250  as soon as the straw is not in the fully closed condition. Looking at  FIG. 13 , the upper taper  259  of the inner tubular member  250  is positioned to mate with the taper  229  at the top end  227  of the outer tubular member  210  when the open bottom end  261  of the inner tubular member  250  is fully seated on the dome-like protrusion  233  on the closed bottom end  219  of the outer tubular member  210 . This mating seals the annulus  263  to prevent leakage of any fluid at the top end  227  of the outer tubular member  210 . 
     An annular slot  267  is positioned in the outside wall of the intermediate portion  253  of the inner tubular member  250 . Preferably, the slot  267  is above the annular bead  223  on the inside wall of the outer tubular member  210  and below the flange  235  on the outer tubular member  210  when the straw is in the fully closed condition as seen in  FIG. 13 . The bead  223  seals the annulus  263  against flow of liquid when the inner tubular member  250  is withdrawn from the fully closed condition. As the inner tubular member  250  is withdrawn, the slot  267  will slide upwardly only until it comes into alignment with the ring of tabs  239  on the outer tubular member  210 . At this point, as seen in  FIG. 16 , the tabs  239  will flap upwardly into the slot  267  until the top surfaces of the tabs  239  abut the top surface of their groove  237  in the outer tubular member  210  and the bottom surface of the slot  267  abuts the bottom surfaces of the tabs  239 , preventing further withdrawal of the inner tubular member  250 . Thus, the elevations of the tabs  239  and slot  267  on their respective tubular members  210  and  250  set the predetermined limit beyond which the inner tubular member  250  cannot be withdrawn. Preferably, when the inner tubular member  250  is withdrawn to the maximum limit, the open bottom end  261  of the inner tubular member  250  will still be substantially below the annular groove  237  in the outer tubular member  210 . It is also preferred that, at this maximum withdrawal, the inner tubular member  250  will have been extended approximately 2″ above the fully closed condition. 
     The inner tubular member  250  has an open top end  269  at which a consumer applies suction to draw liquid from the container C when the straw is not in the fully closed condition. 
     The Cap 
     As seen in  FIG. 13 , the cap  270  has a top  271  and sidewalls  273  with internal threads  275  on the open bottom of the cap  270 . The internal threads  275  mate with the external threads  225  on the outer tubular member  210  to close the straw and seal against leaking to the outside of the cap  270 . The cap  270  has an inside taper  277  immediately above the internal threads  275  which mates with the outside wall taper  231  at the top end  227  of the outer tubular member  210  to further assure the tight seal of the cap  270 . Furthermore, if, as shown, the inner tubular member  250  has an upper portion  251  which extends into the cap  270 , the top end  227  of the outer tubular member  210  will be squeezed between the pairs of taper  259  and  277  on the inner tubular member  250  and the cap  270  in the fully closed condition to enhance the seal. 
     The height of the cap  270  is such that top  271  of the cap  270  will close the open top end  269  of the inner tubular member  250  in the fully closed condition. A plug  279 , as shown an inverted cone, extends downwardly from the top  271  of the cap  270  into the open top end  269  of the inner tubular member  250  to enhance this seal in the fully closed condition. In this configuration, tightening of the complementary threads  275  and  225  on the inside of the cap sidewalls  273  and the outside of the outer tubular member  210  draws the cap plug  279  and the closed bottom end  219  of the outer tubular member  210  toward each other. This simultaneously seals the open top and bottom ends  269  and  261  of the inner tubular member  250  in the fully-closed condition. At the same time, the co-operating tapers  221  and  257  on the outer and inner tubular members  210  and  250  and the annular bead  223  seal the annulus  263 . 
     Annular flanges  281  and  283  on the cap  270  provide a channel  285  for securing an O-ring-like member  287  to the cap  270 . A tether  289  extends between the outer tubular member O-ring-like member  245  and the cap O-ring-like member  287  so that the cap  270  will not be inadvertently lost. The tether  289  should be long and flexible enough to facilitate complete and easy application and removal of the cap  270 . 
     The annular bead  223  could be on the outside wall of the inner tubular member  250  rather than on the inside wall of the outer tubular member  210 . The various seals at the mating pairs of tapers  221  and  257 ,  229  and  259  and  231  and  277 , at the bead  223 , at the bottom end dome-like member  233 , at the cap plug  279  and at the mating taper  248  of a two piece flange should be capable of preventing leakage when the liquid filled container is subjected to a minimum pressure predetermined according to intended use. 
     Straw with Slotted Outer Tubular Member 
     Turning to  FIGS. 18-27 , another embodiment of the straw is illustrated. As seen in  FIGS. 18-20 , the straw  300  has a body  310 , an outer tubular member  340 , an inner tubular member  360  and a cap  380 . 
     The body  310  and outer tubular member  340  are best seen in  FIGS. 22-25 . The body  310  has a passage  311  extending longitudinally through it from top  313  to bottom  315 . The outer tubular member  340  depends from the body  310  and has a passage  341  aligned and in communication with the passage  311  through the body  310 . The bottom end  343  of the outer tubular member  340  is closed by a wall  345 . The side wall  347  of the outer tubular member  340  has at least one, and as shown two diametrically opposed, longitudinal slots  349  which extend from the bottom  315  of the body  310  to the bottom end  343  of the outer tubular member  340 . 
     The inner tubular member  360 , best seen in  FIG. 26 , extends through the body passage  311  into the outer tubular member passage  341 , as seen in  FIGS. 18-21 . The outer diameter  361  of the inner tubular member  360  is such as to be engaged in and snugly reciprocally slide in the body passage  311 . The outer diameter  361  of the inner tubular member  360  and the inner diameter  341  of the outer tubular member  340  are such as to create an annular passage  301  between them. 
     The inner tubular member  360  reciprocates between a fully-closed condition, as seen in  FIG. 20 , in which the open bottom end  363  of the inner tubular member  360  is seated on the closed bottom end  343  of the outer tubular member  340 , and a fully-opened condition in which the open bottom end  363  of the inner tubular member  360  is raised above the closed bottom end  343  of the outer tubular member  340 . The slots  349  in the outer tubular member  340  allow liquid to enter the lower part of the inner tubular member  360  as it is withdrawn to the fully-opened condition. 
     Preferably, looking at  FIG. 20 , the closed bottom end  343  of the outer tubular member  340  has an upwardly extending dome-like protrusion  353  which at least partially inserts into and mates with the open bottom end  363  of the inner tubular member  360  to provide a seal against flow of liquid into the open bottom end  363  of the inner tubular member  360  in the fully-closed condition. Also preferably, an outward flare  365  on the open bottom end  363  of the inner tubular member  360  cooperates with the dome-like protrusion  353  to provide the seal in the fully-closed condition. During withdrawal of the inner tubular member  360  from the outer tubular member  340 , the flare  365  will eventually mate with a tapered surface  317  on an inner wall  319  of the body  310  to prevent further withdrawal of the inner tubular member  360  from the body  310 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 18-20  and  27 , the cap  380  has a top  381  and sidewalls  383  and covers the open top end  367  of the inner tubular member  360 . In the embodiment shown, complementary threads  385  and  321  on the inside of the cap sidewalls  383  and the outside of the body  310  draw the cap  380  and the closed bottom end  343  of the outer tubular member  340  toward each other during tightening rotation of the threads  385  and  321 . Complementary slots and tabs (not shown) could be used in place of the complementary threads  385  and  321 . A plug  387 , best seen in  FIG. 20 , in the top of the cap  380  is inserted into the open top end  367  of the inner tubular member  360  as the straw  300  comes into the fully closed condition. Thus the cap plug  387  and outer tubular member closed bottom  343  simultaneously seal the open top and bottom ends  367  and  363  of the inner tubular member  360  when the straw  300  is in the fully-closed condition. Referring to  FIG. 21 , complementary tapers  323  and  389  on the outside wall  325  of the body  310  above the threads  321  and on the inside wall  391  of the cap  380  above the threads  385  are also drawn into abutment with each other to provide a seal between the cap  380  and the body  310  when the straw  300  is in the fully-closed condition. 
     Looking at  FIG. 20 , an annular flange  327  is preferably provided on the body  310  below the threads  321  and the cap  380  has a breakaway portion  393  on its bottom end  395  engaged on the flange  327 . The breakaway portion  393  engages on the flange the first time the cap  380  is screwed onto the body  310 . The breakaway portion  393  is separated from the cap  380  the first time the cap  380  is unscrewed from the body  310  to provide “tampering” evidence to a purchaser. The breakaway portion  393  is retained on the straw  300  by the flange after separation. A tether  397  connects the cap  380  to its retained breakaway portion  393  so the cap  380  will always be available to recover the straw  300 . Alternatively, a tear-away wrap (not shown) covering the lower portion of the cap  380  and the upper portion of the body  310  could be used to provide tamper-evident protection. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 21 , the seal between the body  310  and the inner tubular member  360  in the fully-closed condition of the straw  300  is assured by complementary tapered surfaces  337  and  399  on a thin upper rim  339  of the body  310  and on the inside wall  391  of the cap  380 . The cap taper  399  co-operates with body rim taper  337  to compress the thin rim  339  of the body  310  against the outer diameter  361  of the inner tubular member  360  to create the seal. 
     The outside wall  325  of the body  310  is adapted for liquid-tight connection to a liquid container fitment  305  with the outer tubular member  340  inside the container and the upper portion  329  of the body  310  outside of the container. For example, and as shown in  FIGS. 18-20 , the container fitment  305  has a tapered inside wall with external tabs  303  which engage with corresponding internal circumferential tabs  333  on a complementary snap-type connector  331  on the body  310  to lock the straw  300  to the container. Other configurations of tabs and types of connections between the container fitment  305  and the body connector  331 , such as complementary threads on the fitments, could be used. As shown, complementary tapers  335  and  307  on the body  310  and on the container fitment  305  preferably extend over a substantial portion of the body  310  so as to assure a liquid tight seal between the body  310  and the container fitment  305 . 
     The container fitment  305  may be as hereinbefore described, a part of a top panel of a container, such as by thermo-welding the fitment  305 , to the panel of a collapsible container. Alternatively, the container fitment  305  may be installed as a completion of a container without a top panel, such as by thermo-welding to the inside top portions of the front and back panels of a collapsible container. The lower portion of the body connector  331  can be any size and shape compatible with thermo-welding equipment used for installing fitments into or onto collapsible containers as long as it accommodates a circular opening of the proper size at its center for introduction of liquid into the container. 
     Powdered drink mix, water purification tablets and/or other dry components can be introduced into the container by injection through the passage in the container fitment  305  or into the container directly prior to installing the container fitment  305 . During assembly of the straw  300 , the sections of the outer tubular member  340  formed by the two diametrically opposed longitudinal slots  349  in the outer tubular member  340  should be spread apart enough for insertion of the inner tubular member  360 . Various methods of assembling the straw  300  could be used. By way of example, the sections of the outer tubular member  340  formed by the two diametrically opposed longitudinal slots  349  in the outer tubular member  340  could be positioned and spread apart enough for insertion of the inner tubular member  360 . Also by way of example, the bottom portion of the outer tubular member  340  with the dome-like protrusion  353  could be molded separately from the remaining portion of the outer tubular member  340  and, after insertion of the inner tubular member  360  through the open bottom end of the outer tubular member  340 , connected to the outer tubular member  340  by thermowelding, snap-in or screw-in methods. Also by way of example, the bottom end of the inner tubular member  360  could be flared after insertion into the body  310  and outer tubular member  340  by insertion of a heated flaring tool through one of the slots  349  of the outer tubular member  340 . 
     By way of example, it is anticipated that one operable configuration of the straw  300  for use with a collapsible container would have a polypropylene or high density polyethylene container fitment  305 , an integral polypropylene or high density polyethylene body  310 , an integral extended polypropylene inner tubular member  360  with end flared and outer tubular member  340  and a high density polyethylene or polypropylene cap  380 . The body  310  would be approximately 0.53″ high and have a circumferential shoulder  371 , a neck  373  approximately 0.45″ high, a thin rim  339  with an approximately 0.008″ wall thickness and an inner diameter or passage  311  approximately 0.001″ greater than the inner tubular member outer diameter  361 . The inner tubular member  360  would be approximately 4.3″ long, have an outer diameter  361  of approximately 0.15″ and have approximately 0.008″ wall thickness. Preferably, the inner diameter  357  at the top of the rim  339  will taper to be equal or slightly less than the outer diameter  361  of the inner tubular member  360 , so as to assure a snug engagement of the inner tubular member  360  with the rim  339 . The lengths of the outer tubular member  340  and the inner tubular member  360  are determined only by the desired maximum distance the inner tubular member  360  can be withdrawn from the body  310 . The exemplary outer tubular member  340  would have a length of approximately 2.75″ and a wall thickness of approximately 0.012″. The container fitment  305  would have an approximately 0.5″ diameter passage  309  to accommodate filling. 
     Turning to  FIG. 28 , in an alternate embodiment of the body, a body  370  has a generally cylindrical contour for a snug but sliding fit into the inner diameter  372  of the container fitment  374 . The lower part of the body  370  tapers to a narrower diameter cylindrical contour to form an annular gap  378  between the narrower body diameter and the container fitment  374 . An annular flange  375  on the upper rim of the body  370  will engage against the top  376  of the container fitment  374  to limit the depth of insertion of the body  370  into the container fitment  374 . An annular anti-removal ring  377  is provided on the lower rim of the body  370 . At least one, and as shown two, annular sealing rings  379  are provided on the narrower portion of the body  370  above the anti-removal ring  377 . The rings  377  and  379  are flexible. The anti-removal ring  377  has a substantially greater diameter than the inner diameter  372  of the container fitment  374 . The sealing rings  379  have a slightly greater diameter than the inner diameter  372  of the container fitment  374 . When the body  370  is pushed fully into the container fitment  374 , the anti-removal ring  377  releases from the container fitment  374  and expands to its greatest diameter. Using this alternate body  370 , removal of the straw from the container fitment  374  is prevented by the engagement of the upper surface of the anti-removal ring  377  against the bottom surface of the container fitment  374  when a removal attempt is made. The liquid seal is also achieved as the body  370  is pushed fully into the container fitment  374 . The sealing rings  379  flex to make sealing contact against the inner diameter  372  of the container fitment  374 . As seen in  FIG. 28 , the sealing rings  379  are positioned on the body  370  so that the seal is maintained whether the body  370  is pushed into the container fitment  374  until the body flange  375  strikes the top  376  of the container fitment  374  or the body  370  is withdrawn from the container fitment  374  until the anti-removal ring  377  strikes the bottom of the container fitment  374 . 
     Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, a disposable collapsible powdered drink mixing container and telescoping straw that fully satisfy the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art and in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 1