Mouthpiece Apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mouthpiece apparatus for bridging the mismatch in shape between the generally circular cross section of a tube, such as a straw, and the more oval or elliptic shape of a person's mouth. The mouthpiece has an input interface, an output interface, and a continuous passageway connecting the input interface and the output interface. The input interface forms a socket in which to seat the tube, and the output interface conforms generally to the shape of the lips of a person's mouth in a natural state. In alternate embodiments, the adapter may be formed with, or pre-mounted to, a tube or straw, or to a vessel such as a juice box.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mouthpiece adapter that engages a tube, the mouthpiece adapter comprising:
 a body having a continuous passageway therethrough, said continuous passageway having an inlet and an outlet;   the inlet defining a socket for receiving an end of the tube in an interference fit;   the continuous passageway having an axial direction;   the body having an exterior wall extending peripherally about the continuous passageway, wherein the exterior wall is comprised of a lip engagement surface;   the body having a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein each of the major dimension and the minor dimension extend cross-wise to the axial direction;   the minor dimension defining a mouthpiece height; and   the major dimension defining a mouthpiece width and being larger than the minor dimension.   
     
     
         2 . The mouthpiece adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the body is symmetrical relative to the continuous passageway. 
     
     
         3 . The mouthpiece adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the socket comprises an internal axial stop. 
     
     
         4 . The mouthpiece adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the socket is inwardly tapered. 
     
     
         5 . The mouthpiece adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the body is further comprised of a hollow portion. 
     
     
         6 . The mouthpiece adapter of  claim 1 , wherein, when viewed axially, the mouthpiece adapter is one of: (a) a predominantly polygonal shape; (b) a predominantly elliptical shape; and (c) a predominantly oval shape. 
     
     
         7 . The mouthpiece adapter of  claim 1 , wherein, when viewed sideways along the major dimension, the body is radiused to present a smooth surface facing away from the socket. 
     
     
         8 . The mouthpiece adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the major dimension is at least double the minor dimension, and further wherein the body tapers to a point at either end of said major dimension. 
     
     
         9 . The mouthpiece adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the socket has a non-circular cross-section. 
     
     
         10 . The mouthpiece adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet of the continuous passageway has a chamfered lead-in. 
     
     
         11 . A mouthpiece adapter comprising:
 a body having an inlet, an outlet, and an exterior wall; and   a passageway positioned between, and in fluid communication with, the inlet and the outlet, wherein the inlet further comprises a socket having an internal axial stop.   
     
     
         12 . The mouthpiece adapter of  claim 11 , wherein the exterior wall extends peripherally about the passageway. 
     
     
         13 . The mouthpiece adapter of  claim 11 , wherein the exterior wall further comprises a lip engagement surface. 
     
     
         14 . The mouthpiece adapter of  claim 11 , wherein the body further comprises a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the major dimension is larger than the minor dimension. 
     
     
         15 . The mouthpiece adapter of  claim 11 , wherein the body is symmetrical relative to the passageway. 
     
     
         16 . The mouthpiece adapter of  claim 11 , wherein the socket is inwardly tapered. 
     
     
         17 . The mouthpiece adapter of  claim 11 , wherein the body is further comprised of a hollow portion. 
     
     
         18 . A mouthpiece adapter and tube combination comprising:
 a body having an inlet, an outlet, and an exterior wall;   a length of tube extending outwardly from said inlet; and   a passageway positioned between, and in fluid communication with, the outlet and the length of tube.   
     
     
         19 . The mouthpiece adapter and tube combination of  claim 18 , wherein the exterior wall extends peripherally about the passageway and comprises a lip engagement surface. 
     
     
         20 . The mouthpiece adapter and tube combination of  claim 18 , wherein the body further comprises a major dimension and a minor dimension, the major dimension being larger than the minor dimension, and further wherein the body is symmetrical relative to the passageway.