Liquid storage closure device with integrated straw

Abstract

A liquid storage closure device ( 10 ) and methods of using the same are disclosed. The device may comprise a cover ( 12 ) capable of being attached to a liquid storage container ( 14 ), wherein the cover comprises an opening ( 22 ) allowing liquid to pass through. The device may also comprise an outer straw ( 16 ) inserted within the liquid storage container ( 14 ) and an inner straw ( 18 ) slidingly and sealingly received within the outer straw ( 16 ) and the opening ( 22 ), such that liquid is capable of passing from the liquid storage container ( 14 ), through a lower end of the outer straw ( 16 ) disposed therein, and out an upper end of the inner straw ( 18 ). In some embodiments, the device may also comprise a cap ( 20 ) capable of being sealingly attached to the cover ( 12 ) such that liquid is substantially retained within the liquid storage container ( 14 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A liquid storage closure device, comprising:
 a cover capable of being attached to a liquid storage container, wherein the cover comprises an opening allowing liquid to pass through;   an outer straw inserted within the liquid storage container and in fluid contact with the opening in the cover;   an inner straw capable of being positioned in a retracted position or any number of extended positions, wherein the inner straw is slidingly and sealingly received within the outer straw and the opening in the cover, such that liquid is capable of passing from the liquid storage container, through a lower end of the outer straw disposed therein, and out an upper end of the inner straw; and   a cap capable of being positioned in a substantially closed position or a substantially open position, wherein the cap is sealingly attached to the cover over the inner straw when positioned in the substantially closed position, such that liquid is substantially retained within the liquid storage container.   
     
     
         2 . The liquid storage closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner straw is capable of being locked in place at an extended position. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid storage closure device of  claim 2 , wherein the inner straw comprises a protrusion and the outer straw comprises a corresponding cavity or indent. 
     
     
         4 . The liquid storage closure device of  claim 3 , wherein the protrusion is located at the lower end of the inner straw. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid storage closure device of  claim 4 , wherein the inner straw comprises at least one additional protrusion. 
     
     
         6 . The liquid storage closure device of  claim 5 , wherein the outer straw comprises at least one additional cavity or indent. 
     
     
         7 . The liquid storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid storage container is selected from the group consisting of a bottle, a can, a box, and a pouch. 
     
     
         8 . The liquid storage device of  claim 7 , wherein the liquid storage container is a bottle. 
     
     
         9 . The liquid storage closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer straw is integrated into the cover. 
     
     
         10 . The liquid storage closure device of  claim 9 , wherein the outer straw and the cover are made of the same material. 
     
     
         11 . The liquid storage closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening in the cover is a junction which connects the outer straw to the cover. 
     
     
         12 . The liquid storage closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer straw has a length such that the lower end of the outer straw is located at or near the bottom of the liquid storage container. 
     
     
         13 . The liquid storage closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner straw comprises a gripping surface at the upper end of the inner straw. 
     
     
         14 . The liquid storage closure device of  claim 13 , wherein the gripping surface is a protrusion which has a larger diameter than at least one of the outer straw or the opening in the cover. 
     
     
         15 . The liquid storage closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a first raised portion which has a smaller diameter than the cap. 
     
     
         16 . The liquid storage closure device of  claim 15 , wherein first raised portion comprises circumferential lips which allow the cap to be secured in the substantially closed portion. 
     
     
         17 . The liquid storage closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover and the cap comprise corresponding threading, such that the cap may be rotated to the substantially closed position. 
     
     
         18 . The liquid storage closure device of  claim 17 , wherein the cover comprises a first raised portion which has a smaller diameter than the cap and the threading on the cover is located on the first raised portion. 
     
     
         19 . The liquid storage closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the cap is attached to the cover by a tether. 
     
     
         20 . The liquid storage closure device of  claim 1 , further comprising a seal which engages when the cap is in the substantially closed position, wherein the seal substantially prevents liquid from exiting the liquid storage closure device. 
     
     
         21 . The liquid storage closure device of  claim 20 , wherein the seal comprises a stopper positioned on the inside of the cap, such that a portion of the stopper is inserted inside the inner straw when the cap is in the substantially closed position, thereby preventing liquid from exiting the inner straw. 
     
     
         22 . The liquid storage closure device of  claim 21 , wherein the stopper is slightly larger than an interior diameter of the inner straw, such that the stopper pushes the outer diameter of the inner straw against the inner diameter of the outer straw and forms an additional seal. 
     
     
         23 . The liquid storage closure device of any of  claim 1 , wherein the seal comprises a material positioned between the cap and the cover when the cap is in the substantially closed position. 
     
     
         24 . A method of using the liquid storage closure device of  claim 1 , comprising:
 moving the cap from the substantially closed position to the substantially open position;   extending the inner straw to an extended position;   drinking a liquid from the liquid storage container;   pushing the inner straw to the retracted position; and   moving the cap to the substantially closed position.