Spill-proof drinking straw and adapter assembly

Abstract

A device for attachment to ordinary containers such as bottles, cans and glasses to enable an infant or toddler to drink from the container by using a straw. The device includes a flexible bag-like adapter having a stretchable elastic band on a first end for removable sealed attachment to an open end of the container, and a reduced diameter neck on a second end. A straw extends through and is fixed and sealed to the neck, and extends through the adapter and projects from the adapter at its opposite ends. Tabs on the first end of the adapter facilitate stretching of the band, which has enough strength to resist removal of the device by infants and toddlers, but is relatively easy to apply and remove by an adult. The length of the straw may be adjustable, and the straw may include a flexible bendable joint.

1 . A device for attachment to a container to enable an infant or toddler to drink from the container by using a straw, comprising:
 a flexible bag-like adapter having a stretchable elastic band on a first end thereof for removable sealed attachment to an open end of a container, and a reduced diameter neck on a second end thereof;   a straw extending through and fixed and sealed to said reduced diameter neck, said straw extending through the adapter and at a first end projecting beyond the first end of the adapter for insertion into a container, and at a second end projecting beyond the second end of the adapter so that it can be accessed by a person using the device; and   tabs on the first end of the adapter to facilitate stretching of the band and placement of the device on a container and removal therefrom, said elastic band having enough strength to resist removal of the device by infants and toddlers, but being relatively easy to apply and remove by an adult.   
   
   
       2 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first end of the straw includes an adjustable portion that is extendable and retractable so that the length of the first end can be adjusted.   
   
   
       3 . A device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein:
 the adjustable portion comprises telescopically engaged straws.   
   
   
       4 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flexible bag-like adapter is transparent.   
   
   
       5 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the container comprises a bottle, and the open end comprises a reduced diameter neck on the bottle, said elastic band being sufficiently stretchable and the bag-like adapter being sufficiently flexible to enable attachment of the device to a variety of bottles having different diameter necks.   
   
   
       6 . A device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first end of the straw includes telescopically engaged straws so that the length of the straw can be adjusted; and   the second end of the straw includes a flexible bendable joint.   
   
   
       7 . A device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein:
 the flexible bag-like adapter is transparent.   
   
   
       8 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the container comprises a can.   
   
   
       9 . A device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein:
 the first end of the straw includes telescopically engaged straws so that the length of the straw can be adjusted; and   the second end of the straw includes a flexible bendable joint.   
   
   
       10 . A device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein:
 the flexible bag-like adapter is transparent.