초록 ▼

A bottle holding a beverage includes a straw and stopper combination that is moved into a deployed position within the neck of the bottle after the cap of the bottle is removed. In this position, an air path through the stopper provides for air flow into the bottle when suction is applied through th

A bottle holding a beverage includes a straw and stopper combination that is moved into a deployed position within the neck of the bottle after the cap of the bottle is removed. In this position, an air path through the stopper provides for air flow into the bottle when suction is applied through the straw. When suction is not applied, the air path is closed by a flexible member of the stopper, so that the beverage cannot leak outward through the air path or through the straw.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Apparatus for holding and dispensing a beverage, wherein said apparatus comprises:a bottle, holding the beverage, including an opening and a neck extending downward from the opening;a cap covering the opening of the bottle;a straw held within the bottle; anda stopper held on the straw within the

1. Apparatus for holding and dispensing a beverage, wherein said apparatus comprises:a bottle, holding the beverage, including an opening and a neck extending downward from the opening;a cap covering the opening of the bottle;a straw held within the bottle; anda stopper held on the straw within the bottle, whereinan upper portion of the straw extends upward from the stopper,a lower portion of the straw extends downward from the stopper,the stopper and straw are movable together with the cap removed from the bottle into a deployed position with the stopper disposed within the neck of the bottle and with the upper portion of the straw extending outward from the bottle,the stopper includes a flexible structure holding the stopper within the neck of the bottle in the deployed position, an air path extending through the stopper, a straw hole through which said straw extends, and a flexible member moving into an open position to admit air into the bottle through the air path with the stopper in the deployed position when suction is applied to the bottle through the straw and closing to prevent the movement of air and of the beverage through the air path with the stopper in the deployed position when suction is not applied to the bottle through the straw.2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid lower portion of said straw is deflected within said bottle as said upper portion is held down by said cap on said bottle, andsaid upper portion of said straw moves upward through said opening of said bottle when said cap is removed from said bottle.3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said straw includes an outward extending bulge preventing upward movement of said straw through said stopper.4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said straw and said stopper are formed as portions of an integral molded part.5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flexible structure deflects to permit said straw and said stopper to be pulled outward together through said opening of said bottle.6. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid stopper includes a core extending around said straw hole and a lower flange extending outward from said core to form said flexible member,a periphery of the lower flange contacts an adjacent surface of said bottle with said stopper in said deployed position when suction is not applied to said bottle through said straw, andsaid periphery of the lower flange is moved away from the adjacent surface of said bottle with said stopper in said deployed position when suction is applied to said bottle through said straw.7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said stopper additionally includes at least one intermediate flange having an aperture within said air path extending outward from said core to form said flexible structure.8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said stopper additionally includes an upper flange having an aperture within said air path extending outward from said core and above said opening with said stopper in said deployed position.9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said stopper is composed of a molded flexible thermoplastic resin.10. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid stopper includes an upper section having an upper surface, a flat lower surface extending along a portion of said upper section, and a hole extending through said upper section between said upper surface and said lower surface to form a portion of said air path;said flexible structure extends below said lower surface, being held against said lower surface in said closed position and moved away from said lower surface in said open position.11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said flexible member is formed as an integral portion of a part including said upper section.12. The apparatus of claim 11, whereinsaid stopper is composed of an elastomer andsaid stopper includes a tapered periphery forming said flexible structure.13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said flexible member is formed as a part separate from said upper section and attached to extend below said upper section.14. The apparatus of claim 10, whereinsaid upper section is composed of a thermoplastic resin, andsaid flexible structure is composed of a tapered flexible section of said stopper integral with said upper section.