Twist up spout for beverage container

Abstract

A container cap includes an outer cap, an inner cap and a drinking tube. The drinking tube is extendable and/or retractable through a twisting motion of the outer cap. When retracted, the drinking tube is protected by the outer cap from environmental contaminants.

1 . A cap for a container comprising: 
 an inner cap including at least one port therein;    a drinking tube partially surrounding a portion of the inner cap and slidably movable relative to the inner cap;    an outer cap partially surrounding a portion of the drinking tube; and    a retainer ring disposed around one end of the outer cap and rotatably attaching the outer cap to the inner cap;    wherein the outer cap is rotatable relative to the drinking tube, the retaining ring and the inner cap;    wherein rotation of the outer cap displaces the drinking tube in a longitudinal direction relative to the inner cap.    
   
   
       2 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the inner cap has an opening at a first end adapted to mount the inner cap on a container.  
   
   
       3 . The cap of  claim 2 , wherein the inner cap has at least one port proximate a second end.  
   
   
       4 . The cap of  claim 2 , wherein an inner surface of the opening is threaded.  
   
   
       5 . The cap of  claim 2 , wherein the inner surface of the opening is adapted to secure the cap to the container in a snap-fit arrangement.  
   
   
       6 . The cap of  claim 2 , wherein the opening is threaded on an inner surface thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the inner cap includes a thread on an outer surface thereof adapted to mount the retainer ring to the inner cap.  
   
   
       8 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the drinking tube is threaded.  
   
   
       9 . The cap of  claim 8 , wherein an inner surface of the outer cap is threaded and cooperates with the thread of the drinking tube to drive the drinking tube in a longitudinal direction when the outer cap is rotated.  
   
   
       10 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer ring is integral with the outer cap.  
   
   
       11 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein squeezing at two points along a circumference of the retainer ring allows the retainer ring to be removed from the inner cap freeing the outer cap and the drinking spout.  
   
   
       12 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the inner cap is open at a first end and includes top surface at a second end.  
   
   
       13 . The cap of  claim 12 , wherein at least one port is disposed in a wall of the inner cap proximate the top surface.  
   
   
       14 . The cap of  claim 13 , wherein a resilient seal extends outward from the wall of the inner cap between the at least one port and the top surface.  
   
   
       15 . The cap of  claim 14 , wherein a second resilient seal extends outward from the wall of the inner cap between the first end of the inner cap and the at least one port.  
   
   
       16 . The cap of  claim 15 , further including a third resilient seal extending inward from the wall of the inner cap proximate the first end of the inner cap.  
   
   
       17 . A resealable container for fluids comprising: 
 a container base;    an inner cap having at least one port therein;    a drinking tube partially surrounding a portion of the inner cap and slidably movable relative to the inner cap;    an outer cap partially surrounding a portion of the drinking tube; and    a retainer ring disposed around one end of the outer cap and rotatably attaching the outer cap to the inner cap;    wherein the outer cap is rotatable relative to the drinking tube and the inner cap;    wherein rotation of the outer cap displaces the drinking tube in a longitudinal direction relative to the inner cap.    
   
   
       18 . A method of dispensing liquids from a container comprising: 
 providing a cap comprising: 
 an inner cap having at least one port therein;  
 a drinking tube partially surrounding a portion of the inner cap and slidably movable relative to the inner cap;  
 an outer cap partially surrounding a portion of the drinking tube; and  
 a retainer ring disposed around one end of the outer cap and rotatably attaching the outer cap to a portion of the inner cap;  
 wherein the outer cap is rotatable relative to the drinking tube and the inner cap;  
 wherein rotation of the outer cap displaces the drinking tube in a longitudinal direction relative to the inner cap;  
   extending the drinking tube by rotating the outer cap;    exposing the at least one port in the inner cap; and    tilting the container to pour the liquid.