Expandable drinking cup assembly with lid and straw

Abstract

An expandable drinking cup assembly is disclosed. The drinking cup includes a drinking cup having accordion-like sidewalls that allow the cup to be extended for use and collapsed for disposal. The cup also includes a lid secured to an upper brim of the cup, the lid having a score near a midline of the lid so as to allow the lid to be folded along the score. The lid has a first slot for allowing insertion of a straw and a second slot for allowing drinking of liquids within the cup and a sheath for closing the second slot for prevention of spillage. The cup also includes a straw having at least two bends that allow the straw to be extended for use and collapsed for disposal. The straw is also adapted for use as a stir stick with a paddle at one end of the straw. The expandable drinking cup assembly is also configured for collapsing into a first height for disposal and for extension to a second height larger than the first height for use by a consumer.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An expandable drinking cup assembly, comprising:
 a drinking cup having accordion-like sidewalls that allow the cup to be extended for use and collapsed for disposal;   a lid secured to an upper brim of the cup, the lid having a score near a midline of the lid so as to allow the lid to be folded along the score;   a first slot in the lid for allowing insertion of a straw;   a second slot in the lid for allowing drinking of liquids within the cup and a slide enclosure for non-spillage   a straw having at least two bends that allow the straw to be extended for use and collapsed for disposal, the straw further configured for insertion into the first slot;   wherein the straw is adapted for use as a stir stick with a paddle at one end of the straw; and,   wherein the expandable drinking cup assembly is configured for collapsing into a first height for disposal and for extension to a second height larger than the first height for use by a consumer.   
     
     
         2 . The expandable drinking cup of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls are adapted to remain extended unless a certain amount of compressive force acts on the sidewalls of the cup. 
     
     
         3 . The expandable drinking cup of  claim 1 , wherein the paddle comprises a substantially planar surface that extends radially outward from one end of the straw, wherein the paddle further defines a plurality of orifices. 
     
     
         4 . The expandable drinking cup of  claim 1 , wherein the first slot is oval shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The expandable drinking cup of  claim 1 , wherein the first slot is adapted to retain the straw when the lid is in a folded or a secured position. 
     
     
         6 . The expandable drinking cup of  claim 1 , wherein the accordion like sidewalls comprises a plurality of rings connected to each other. 
     
     
         7 . The expandable drinking cup of  claim 1 , wherein the lid has a top surface slanted defining a cavity for storing a portion of the straw. 
     
     
         8 . The expandable drinking cup of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom has an outside surface having a pull tab thereon, wherein the pull tab is adapted for facilitating moving the cup between the first height and the second height. 
     
     
         9 . The expandable drinking cup of  claim 7 , wherein a portion of the straw is adapted for laying substantially flat on the top surface of the lid when the straw is in a collapsed state. 
     
     
         10 . An expandable drinking cup assembly, comprising:
 a drinking cup having pleated sidewalls that allow the cup to be extended for use and collapsed for disposal, wherein the pleated sidewalls are adapted to remain extended unless a certain amount of compressive force acts on the sidewalls of the cup;   a lid secured to an upper brim of the cup, the lid having a score near a midline of the lid so as to allow the lid to be folded along the score;   a first opening in the lid for allowing insertion of a straw;   a second opening in the lid for allowing drinking of liquids within the cup and a sheath for covering the second opening;   a straw having three bends that allow the straw to be extended for use and collapsed for disposal, the straw further configured for insertion into the first slot, and wherein a portion of the straw is adapted for laying substantially flat on a top surface of the lid when the straw is in a collapsed state;   wherein the straw is adapted for use as a stir stick, wherein the straw further comprises a substantially planar body that extends radially outward from one end of the straw, wherein the substantially planer body has a plurality of orifices; and,   wherein the expandable drinking cup assembly is configured for collapsing into a first height for disposal and for extension to a second height larger than the first height for use by a consumer.   
     
     
         11 . The expandable drinking cup of  claim 10 , wherein the first opening is oval shaped. 
     
     
         12 . The expandable drinking cup of  claim 10 , wherein the pleated sidewalls comprises a plurality of rings connected to each other. 
     
     
         13 . The expandable drinking cup of  claim 10 , wherein the top surface of the lid is slanted defining a cavity for storing a portion of the straw. 
     
     
         14 . The expandable drinking cup of  claim 10 , wherein the cup further comprises a bottom, wherein the bottom has an outside surface having a pull tab thereon, wherein the pull tab is adapted for facilitating moving the cup between the first height and the second height. 
     
     
         15 . An expandable drinking cup assembly, comprising:
 a drinking cup having accordion-like sidewalls that allow the cup to be extended for use and collapsed for disposal;   a lid secured to an upper brim of the cup, the lid having a score so as to allow the lid to be folded along the score;   a first slot in the lid for allowing insertion of a straw;   a second slot in the lid for allowing drinking of liquids within the cup; and,   wherein the expandable drinking cup assembly is configured for collapsing into a first height for disposal and for extension to a second height larger than the first height for use by a consumer.   
     
     
         16 . The expandable drinking cup of  claim 15 , wherein the sidewalls are adapted to remain extended unless a certain amount of compressive force acts on the sidewalls of the cup. 
     
     
         17 . The expandable drinking cup of  claim 15 , wherein the cup further includes a straw having at least one bend that allows the straw to be extended for use and collapsed for disposal, and wherein the straw is further configured for insertion into the first slot. 
     
     
         18 . The expandable drinking cup of  claim 15 , wherein the paddle comprises a substantially planar surface that extends radially outward from one end of the straw, wherein the paddle further defines a plurality of orifices. 
     
     
         19 . The expandable drinking cup of  claim 17 , wherein the accordion like sidewalls comprises a plurality of rings connected to each other. 
     
     
         20 . The expandable drinking cup of  claim 17 , wherein the bottom has an outside surface having a pull tab thereon, wherein the pull tab is adapted for facilitating moving the cup between the first height and the second height.