The Last Straw LLC

Maytag Corporation

Other

Samuel Clifford Crosby

Robert Patton Stribling

Theodore A Becker

Michael C Mayne

Steven G Tirrell

Kenneth M Hattori

William J Saunders

J Douglas Alsup

Ronald J Mosetich

Lloyd M Yardley

Wendell G Blount

Bedford F Peeples

Henry L Lackey

David L Kimbro

The present invention relates to a leakage prevention straw, a method of manufacturing the leakage prevention straw, and containers employing the leakage prevention straw. In accordance with the present invention, the leakage prevention straw has an open-ended, hollow tube; an open-ended, hollow receiver sealably mounted on the tube; a valve assembly sealably engaging the receiver; and a resilient locking adapter disposed on the tube and lockingly engaging the valve assembly to secure the valve assembly in liquid seal engagement with the receiver. The valve assembly has a hollow, open-ended, resilient enclosure and a check valve disposed within the enclosure. Although the check valve is biased in a closed position, the check valve opens upon manual manipulation of the enclosure.

Snap-fit valve and straw assembly and method of using same

A flexible check valve is introduced within a fluid path for leakage protection. The flexible check valve can be a duckbill/crossbill valve comprising multiple flexible members that restrict the flow of fluid in a tubular member. The flexible check valve is preferably used in conjunction with a drinking straw to prevent liquid from exiting a container such as a drink box. Preferably, the flexible check valve is a crossbill valve that is attached using an adapter. Liquid is designed to only flow through when an external compressive force (e.g. users fingers or lips) is applied to the valve. When force is no longer applied to the valve section, the valve returns to its normally closed position and fluid is wholly or substantially prevented from exiting.

Leakage protection

A flexible check valve is introduced within a fluid path for leakage protection. The flexible check valve is preferably a crossbill used in conjunction with a drinking straw to prevent undesired liquid leakage from a container such as a drink box. A transition section is used to mate the dissimilar materials of the straw and flexible check valve. The transition section retains an internal bayonet section of the flexible check valve within a snap-fit ring.

Snap-fit valve

Leak-proof straw

A unitary plastic refrigerator door is produced by simultaneously thermoforming an outer refrigerator door panel with an inner refrigerator door liner. During production, an annular flange portion of the inner refrigerator door liner is joined with an annular sidewall portion of the outer refrigerator door panel at an attachment location positioned inwardly of the annular side wall portion. The inner refrigerator door liner is also formed with either an annular recess or a plurality of spaced recesses in its annular flange portion adjacent the attachment location of the inner refrigerator door liner and the outer refrigerator floor panel that is adapted to press-fittingly receive a door gasket. Preferably, the outer refrigerator door panel includes a thickened portion that is formed with a handle defining recess. A method of thermoforming the refrigerator door is also provided and advantageously enables the inner refrigerator door liner to be produced on a male mold member.

Method of thermoforming a plastic refrigerator door

A unitary plastic refrigerator door is produced by simultaneously thermoforming an outer refrigerator door panel with an inner refrigerator door liner. During production, an annular flange portion of the inner refrigerator door liner is joined with an annular sidewall portion of the outer refrigerator door panel at an attachment location positioned inwardly of the annular side wall portion. The inner refrigerator door liner is also formed with either an annular recess or a plurality of spaced recesses in its annular flange portion adjacent the attachment location of the inner refrigerator door liner and the outer refrigerator door panel that is adapted to press-fittingly receive a door gasket. Preferably, the outer refrigerator door panel includes a thickened portion that is formed with a handle defining recess. A method of thermoforming the refrigerator door is also provided and advantageously enables the inner refrigerator door liner to be produced on a male mold member.

Thermoformed plastic refrigerator door

A riding scooter that may be assembled and dis-assembled without the use of tools is formed of components of a size and weight such that they may be handled by a person of modest physical strength. The scooter's front and rear sections have overlapping interengaging parts that are biased together in the operative position by the weight of the sections alone. Batteries for electrical power are contained within casings which are cooperatively retained within a battery housing and which also permit the batteries to be simultaneously electrically connected to the vehicle electrical system upon insertion of the battery casings within the battery housing. A steering tiller is detachably mounted to the front steering yoke being retained in an operative position by a quick release locking collar. Control for forward and reverse movement is accomplished through linkage which permits convenient manipulation of the control handle while providing maximum adjustment of an electric potentiometer which controls the electric motor; and, the seat assembly is designed to retain a selected adjustment from disassembly to assembly and further acts to reinforce the biased engagement of the front and rear sections of the scooter.

Disassemblable riding scooter

Growing community of inventors

Lilburn, GA, United States of America

Samuel Clifford Crosby