No-spill drinking container
An easily cleanable liquid container includes a straw having a pivotably mounted internal one-way spill preventing valve and a closable drinking spout with an overmolded drinking tip. The pivotably mounted internal one-way spill preventing valve is retained in a pivotable straw nut that is pivotably attached to a straw tube, which allows easy access to internal straw components for easier cleaning. The overmolded drinking tip and a wiper seal limit the number of cracks and crevices that may collect dirt or other contaminants.
1. A liquid container comprising:
a container body;
a base removably attached to the container body, the base comprising a closable drinking spout and an overmolded drinking tip; and
a hinged valve straw connected to the base,
wherein the hinged valve straw includes a straw nut that contains a one-way spill preventing valve, and the straw nut is pivotably connected to a straw tube by a collar.
2. The liquid container of claim 1 , wherein the hinged valve straw is tethered to the base.
3. The liquid container of claim 1 , wherein the straw nut includes a wiper seal at one end and threads at an opposite end.
4. The liquid container of claim 1 , further comprising a stop mechanism that limits rotational movement between the hinged valve straw and the base.
5. The liquid container of claim 4 , wherein the stop mechanism includes a nut stop and a well stop.
6. The liquid container of claim 5 , wherein one of the nut stop and the well stop are formed as a shoulder.
7. The liquid container of claim 1 , wherein the closable drinking spout includes a spout nut.
8. The liquid container of claim 7 , wherein the spout nut includes a plurality of retention tabs.
9. The liquid container of claim 8 , wherein the overmolded drinking tip is secured to the closable drinking spout by the spout nut.
10. A hinged valve straw for a drinking container, the hinged valve straw comprising:
a straw tube; and
a straw nut disposed at one end of the straw tube, the straw nut including a through bore and a one way valve disposed within the through bore, the straw nut being hingedly connected to the straw tube,
wherein the straw nut is pivotably connected to the straw tube by a collar.
11. The hinged valve straw of claim 10 , wherein the one way valve is contained within the collar.
12. The hinged valve straw of claim 11 , further comprising a wiper seal disposed on one end of the collar, the wiper seal being located between the collar and the straw tube when the collar is in a closed position.
13. The hinged valve straw of claim 12 , wherein the collar further comprises a ledge that forms a closed detent with the straw tube.
14. The hinged valve straw of claim 13 , wherein the collar further includes a recess that forms an open detent with the straw tube.