Non-spillable beverage container and straw

Abstract

A non-spillable beverage container. The container includes a cover having a straw opening and a second vent opening. The vent opening is covered by a diaphragm attached at a plurality of points on the second vent opening. The diaphragm prevents the passage of air through the vent opening. With the vent opening covered, liquid contained within the container is locked within the container and prevented from exiting through a straw inserted within the straw opening. When a user inhales through the straw, air drawn through the straw from the interior of the container causes the diaphragm to bend downwardly and allow the passage of air into the container. The liquid may then exit through the straw. When the user discontinues inhaling through the straw, the diaphragm closes the vent opening and prevents liquid from exiting via the straw.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A selectably closeable straw for use on a beverage container, said straw comprising: 
 a straw having an orifice running longitudinally through a length of said straw; and    closing means to close a portion of the orifice, said closing means preventing the passage of liquid through the orifice;    whereby a user inhales through the straw to open the orifice and allow the passage of liquid through the orifice.    
     
     
         2 . The selectable closeable straw of  claim 1  wherein the closing means is a plurality of expandable sections biased to an expanded position to prevent liquid from passing through the orifice and opening to allow the passage of liquid through the orifice when the user inhales through the straw.  
     
     
         3 . A non-spillable container, the container comprising: 
 a beverage container holding a liquid within an interior of the container;    a cover attached to the container, said cover having: 
 a straw opening sized to accommodate a straw; and  
 a vent opening having selectably closing means for preventing the passage of liquid and air through said opening; and  
   a straw inserted within the straw opening, said straw comprising: 
 a straw having an orifice running longitudinally through a length of said straw; and  
 closing means to close a portion of the orifice, said closing means preventing the passage of liquid through the orifice;  
 whereby a user inhales through the straw to open the orifice and allow the passage of liquid through the orifice;  
   whereby the vent opening is biased closed when a user is not drinking from the container and opens when the user inhales through the straw causing the vent opening to be opened and liquid to pass through the straw.    
     
     
         4 . The non-spillable container of  claim 3  further comprising a sealing means for preventing seepage of the liquid from exiting between an exterior portion of the inserted straw and the straw opening.  
     
     
         5 . The non-spillable container of  claim 3  wherein the cover is detachable from the beverage container.  
     
     
         6 . The non-spillable container of  claim 3  wherein the closing means includes a diaphragm attached to the vent opening.  
     
     
         7 . The non-spillable container of  claim 6  wherein the diaphragm is attached at a plurality of points located on an edge of the vent opening, said diaphragm allowing entry through the vent opening through a plurality of unattached points on the edge of the vent opening.  
     
     
         8 . The non-spillable container of  claim 3  further comprising a tube extending downwardly from the cover to the interior of the beverage container, said vent opening being attached to the tube.  
     
     
         9 . The non-spillable container of  claim 8  wherein the vent opening includes a diaphragm attached to the vent opening.  
     
     
         10 . The non-spillable container of  claim 9  wherein the diaphragm is attached at a plurality of points located on an edge of the vent opening, said diaphragm allowing entry through the vent opening through a plurality of unattached points on the edge of the vent opening.  
     
     
         11 . The non-spillable container of  claim 8  wherein the tube includes a plurality of expandable petals, said petals biased in a closed position preventing the passage of the liquid or air until the user inhales through the straw, thereby opening the petals and said vent opening.  
     
     
         12 . The non-spillable container of  claim 3  wherein the closing means is a diaphragm having a slit, said slit allowing the passage of air when the user inhales through the straw.  
     
     
         13 . The non-spillable container of  claim 3  wherein the straw includes a plurality of closeable sections, whereby the sections are biased closed to prevent the passage of the liquid through the straw and the sections open when the user inhales through the straw.  
     
     
         14 . The non-spillable container of  claim 3  wherein the straw includes a closeable opening in which the opening is biased closed until the user inhales through the straw.