Squirt Resistant and Spill Resistant Container with an Internally Attached Straw

Description

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/983,617 filed on Apr. 24, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to juice boxes. More specifically, the present invention is a redesigned juice box that prevents spilling and squirting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With today's fast paced lifestyle, the demand for fast food and other prepared food items seem to be increasing on a daily basis. In order to supply for the increasing demand, food items and beverages are prepared and packaged in numerous ways. As experimentally proven, food items remain in good condition as long as they are stored at proper temperatures and stored in airtight containers. On the other hand, beverages are packaged as cans, bottles, and juice boxes. Beverages packed as bottles and cans consume a considerable amount of space in comparison to juice boxes. As a result its effective design, juice boxes have gained popularity among consumers. Another advantage of the juice boxes is the relatively low cost and safety features when compared to bottles and cans. In particular, bottles and cans have a higher probability of causing an injury when compared to juice boxes.

Traditional juice boxes contain a covered hole on the top surface of the box with a straw attached to the juice box externally. In utilizing these juice boxes, a user inserts the straw into the hole located on the top surface of the box. Even though the straw is supposed to draw out the entire volume of the juice box, there are instances where it is not possible. The straw not being of sufficient length is one of the main reasons. Another reason is that a considerable amount of air is compressed within the juice box preventing the remaining liquid to be drawn out from the straw. To resolve this issue, most users squeeze the juice box forcing the compressed air within the juice box to escape through the only available hole, which is the insert hole with the straw. However, escaping air can also result in the juice squirting out of the straw which can create unfavorable circumstances to the user.

Even though squeezing the juice box works on most occasions, it may not be a possibility for everyone. For instance, small children and elderly persons might find squeezing the juice box difficult. Even though the issue has been recognized in the industry, a feasible solution is nonexistent.

The objective of the present invention is to address the aforementioned issues. More specifically, the present invention addresses the issue of spilling and squirting from juice boxes by introducing a separate hole for air flow. Additionally, the present invention also resolves the issue of juice content being left over in the juice box. In particular, the straw of the present invention is inserted into the juice box such that it is in close proximity to the bottom surface. The positioning of the straw allows a user to draw out all of the content within the juice box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, wherein the straw is in a folded configuration.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention, wherein the straw is in a folded configuration.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention, wherein the straw is in an unfolded configuration.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention, wherein the straw is in an unfolded configuration.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention, wherein the piercing tool is used to penetrate the vent hole;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention, wherein the piercing tool is inserted into the vent hole;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the straw used in the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the container used in the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

As seen in FIGS. 1-5, the present invention is a squirt resistant and spill resistant container with an internally attached straw. In order to prevent squirting or spilling, the present invention comprises a container 1 and a straw 10. The effective design of the container 1 addresses squirting and spilling of any content which is inside the container 1. In comparison to traditional juice boxes where the straw is externally attached to the container, the straw 10 of the present invention is internally attached to the container 1.

The issue of content spilling and squirting is addressed through the redesigned container 1 illustrated in FIG. 8. The container 1 comprises a top section 2, a lateral section 6, a bottom section, an insertion hole 3, a vent hole 4, and a pierceable cover 5. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the top section 2, the lateral section 6, and the bottom section 7 make up the walls of the container 1. The top section 2, the lateral section 6, and the bottom section 7 each comprise an inner surface 8 and an outer surface 9. More specifically, juice or any other comparable content is stored within the volume created by inner surface 8 of the top section 2, the lateral section 6, and the bottom section 7. The outer surface 9 of the top section 2, the lateral section 6, and the bottom section 7 is externally visible to a user. As a result, marketing information or any other comparable details can be included in the outer surface 9 of the top section 2, the lateral section 6, and the bottom section 7. The insertion hole 3 traverses through the top section 2. The straw 10 traverses into the container 1 through insertion hole 3 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 such that content within the container 1 can be drawn out by utilizing the straw 10. The vent hole 4 acts as an entry/exit point for air, which usually occurs through the straw 10 in traditional juice boxes. Similar to the insertion hole 3, the vent hole 4 also traverses through the top section 2. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the insertion hole 3 and the vent hole 4 are positioned opposite to each other across the top section 2. However, in another embodiment of the present invention, the insertion hole 3 and the vent hole 4 can be differently positioned on the top section 2. In order to protect the content within the container 1 prior to use, the pierceable cover 5 is positioned within the vent hole 4 as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. Furthermore, the pierceable cover 5 is perimetrically connected to the top section 2 such that the vent hole 4 is completely sealed prior to use.

The straw 10 is illustrated in FIG. 7. As illustrated, the straw 10 comprises a first tubular portion 11, a second tubular portion 12, a first open end 13, a second open end 14, a piercing tool 15, and a ribbed portion 16. As seen FIGS. 1-6, the first tubular portion 11 is positioned within the container 1 and the second tubular portion 12 is positioned outside the container 1. As a result, the first open end 13 is positioned within the container 1 and the second open end 14 is positioned outside the container 1. In order to draw juice or other comparable content out of the container 1, the first open end 13 and the ribbed portion 16 are in fluid communication with each other through the first tubular portion 11. In order to draw juice or comparable content out of the straw 10, the ribbed portion 16 and the second open end 14 are also in fluid communication with each other through the second tubular portion 12 in a similar manner. The piercing tool 15 is removably attached to the second open end 14. The piercing tool 15 is utilized to pierce the pierceable cover 5 of the vent hole 4 which exposes the vent hole 4. Furthermore, a radius of the vent hole 4 allows the piercing tool 15 to snugly fit within the vent hole 4. The resulting position is illustrated in FIG. 6. The positioning of the piercing tool 15 within the vent hole 4 prevents squirting or spilling of any content from within the container 1. Subsequently, the snug fit of the piercing tool 15 within the vent hole 4 prevents any liquid within the container 1 from coming out. Further, the snug fit of the piercing tool 15 within the vent hole 4 prevents the piercing tool 15 itself from coming out of the vent hole 4. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the piercing tool is 3-4 inches in length. In another embodiment of the present invention, a comparable length can also be utilized. Upon removing the piercing tool 15 from the second open end 14, the user can use the second open end 14 to draw content out of the container 1.

In the present invention, the straw 10 is internally attached to the container 1 with a nontoxic adhesive 17. The first tubular portion 11 is removably attached to the inner surface 8 of the lateral section 6 with the nontoxic adhesive 17. As illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the nontoxic adhesive 17 can be applied throughout the length of the first tubular portion 11 or applied at a single designated spot on the first tubular portion 11. Since the first tubular portion 11 is removably attached to the inner surface 8 of the lateral section 6, the user can conveniently direct the first tubular portion 11 within the container 1 by removing the first tubular portion 11 from the inner surface 8 of the lateral section 6. The positioning of the straw 10 prior to being used is illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. As illustrated, the second tubular portion 12 is also removably attached to the outer surface 9 of the top section 2 with the nontoxic adhesive 17. Therefore, a user can conveniently extend the second tubular portion 12 outward from the top section 2.

Prior to being used, the straw 10 is in a folded configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. As seen in FIG. 2, the first tubular portion 11 is positioned perpendicular to the second tubular portion 12. In the resulting position, the first tubular portion 11 is positioned adjacent to the inner surface 8 of the lateral section 6. Furthermore, the first open end 13 is positioned adjacent to the inner surface 8 of the bottom section 7 which allows juice or other comparable content to enter the straw 10 through the first open end 13. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the positioning of the first open end 13 allows the user to draw a maximum amount of juice or other comparable content from the container 1. In order to be perpendicularly positioned, the second tubular portion 12 is pressed against the outer surface 9 of the top section 2. As mentioned earlier, the second tubular portion 12 can also be removably attached to the top section 2 with the nontoxic adhesive 17.

As seen in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, when the present invention is set to be used, the straw 10 is in an unfolded configuration. The ribbed portion 16 provides flexibility to the straw 10 such that the straw 10 can be alternated between the folded configuration and the unfolded configuration. Since the second tubular portion 12 is detached from the top section 2, the second tubular portion 12 is angularly positioned to the first tubular portion 11 in the unfolded configuration as illustrated in FIG. 4. However, the first tubular portion 11 is positioned adjacent to the inner surface 8 of the lateral section 6. According to user preference, the first tubular portion 11 can also be detached from the inner surface 8 of the lateral section 6 which allows the straw 10 to be guided in a large range within the container 1. Since the first tubular portion 11 remains within the container 1, the first open end 13 is positioned adjacent to the inner surface 8 of the bottom section 7 which allows content within the container 1 to enter the straw 10 through the first open end 13. The position of the first open end 13 in the unfolded configuration is illustrated in FIG. 4. The positioning of the first open end 13, allows the user to draw a maximum amount of juice or other comparable content from the container 1.

In utilizing the present invention, the consequent process flow is followed. Upon obtaining the present invention, the straw 10 will be in the folded configuration. The straw 10 is adjusted to its unfolded configuration by pulling on the second tubular portion 12. Next, the user removes the piercing tool 15 from the second open end 14. Afterwards, the removed piercing tool 15 is used to puncture the pierceable cover 5 of the vent hole 4 and is held within the vent hole 4. When the vent hole 4 is exposed, the user utilizes the second open end 14 to draw juice or other comparable content out of the container 1. As the juice or other comparable content is drawn out of the container 1, the air within the container 1 exits through the piercing tool 15 which is inserted into the vent hole 4. Therefore, even when the container 1 is squeezed, no spilling or squirting occurs through the straw 10.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.