Fluid container with integrated straw

Abstract

A portable fluid container with an integrated straw. The container includes a vessel for containing a beverage; a straw having a lumen through which the beverage may flow; an orifice in the vessel configured to accept the straw such that an interior portion of the straw is inside the vessel and an exterior portion of the straw is outside of the vessel; and fastening means for removably maintaining the exterior portion of the straw in a folded position along a first fold to prevent the flow of the beverage through the lumen of the straw. The beverage may flow through the lumen of the straw when the exterior portion of the straw is unfolded along the first fold.

1 . A portable fluid container comprising: 
 a vessel for containing a fluid;    a straw having a lumen through which the fluid may flow;    an orifice in the vessel configured to accept the straw, wherein an interior portion of the straw is inside the vessel and an exterior portion of the straw is outside of the vessel; and    fastening means for removably maintaining the exterior portion of the straw in a folded position along a first fold to prevent the flow of the fluid through the lumen of the straw;    wherein the fluid may flow through the lumen of the straw when the exterior portion of the straw is unfolded along the first fold;    
   
   
       2 . The portable fluid container recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a seal between the orifice and the straw;    wherein the seal prevents the fluid from leaking out of the orifice between the vessel and the straw.    
   
   
       3 . The portable fluid container recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a second fold along the exterior portion of the straw;    wherein the second fold further prevents flow of the fluid when the fastening means removably maintains the straw in the folded position.    
   
   
       4 . The portable fluid container recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a sanitary cover removably fixed to the vessel, wherein an open end of the exterior portion of the straw is between the cover and the vessel.    
   
   
       5 . The portable fluid container recited in  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is a beverage box.  
   
   
       6 . The portable fluid container recited in  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is a beverage pouch.  
   
   
       7 . The portable fluid container recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fastening means is selected from the group consisting of: an adhesive tape, sleeve, rubber band, and plastic sheet.  
   
   
       8 . An improved beverage box having walls for containing a beverage and orifice configured to accept a straw, the improvement comprising: 
 a straw having a lumen through which the beverage may flow, wherein the straw is fixed within the orifice such that an interior portion of the straw is inside the beverage box and an exterior portion of the straw is outside of the beverage box; and    fastening means for removably maintaining the exterior portion of the straw in a folded position along a first fold to prevent the flow of the beverage through the lumen of the straw;    wherein the beverage may flow through the lumen of the straw when the exterior portion of the straw is unfolded along the first fold;    
   
   
       9 . The improved beverage box recited in  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a seal between the orifice and the straw;    wherein the seal prevents the beverage from leaking out of the orifice between the vessel and the straw.    
   
   
       10 . The improved beverage box recited in  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a second fold along the exterior portion of the straw;    wherein the second fold further prevents flow of the beverage when the fastening means removably maintains the straw in the folded position.    
   
   
       11 . The improved beverage box recited in  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a sanitary cover removably fixed to the vessel wherein an open end of the exterior portion of the straw is between the cover and the beverage box.    
   
   
       12 . The portable beverage container recited in  claim 8 , wherein the fastening means is selected from the group consisting of: an adhesive tape, sleeve, rubber band, and plastic sheet.  
   
   
       13 . An improved beverage pouch having walls for containing a beverage and orifice configured to accept a straw, the improvement comprising: 
 a straw having a lumen through which the beverage may flow, wherein the straw is fixed within the orifice such that an interior portion of the straw is inside the beverage pouch and an exterior portion of the straw is outside of the beverage pouch; and    fastening means for removably maintaining the exterior portion of the straw in a folded position along a first fold to prevent the flow of the beverage through the lumen of the straw;    wherein the beverage may flow through the lumen of the straw when the exterior portion of the straw is unfolded along the first fold.    
   
   
       14 . The improved beverage pouch recited in  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a seal between the orifice and the straw;    wherein the seal prevents the beverage from leaking out of the orifice between the vessel and the straw.    
   
   
       15 . The improved beverage pouch recited in  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a second fold along the exterior portion of the straw;    wherein the second fold further prevents flow of the beverage when the fastening means removably maintains the straw in the folded position.    
   
   
       16 . The improved beverage pouch recited in  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a sanitary cover removably fixed to the vessel, wherein an open end of the exterior portion of the straw is between the cover and the beverage pouch.    
   
   
       17 . The portable beverage container recited in  claim 13 , wherein the fastening means is selected from the group consisting of: an adhesive tape, sleeve, rubber band, and plastic sheet.