US20090277865A1

US20090277865A1 - Reusable bottle mouthpiece and cap

Info

Publication number: US20090277865A1
Application number: US12/463,305
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles Taylor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-05-12
Filing date: 2009-05-08
Publication date: 2009-11-12

Abstract

A device for allowing a consumer to drink liquid from a beverage container without the consumer's mouth directly contacting the mouthpiece of the beverage container. A method for allowing a consumer to drink liquid from a beverage container without the consumer's mouth directly contacting the mouthpiece of the beverage container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present Application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/052,567 filed May 12, 2008 and titled “Reusable Bottle Mouthpiece and Cap,” the contents of which are incorporated in this disclosure by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Large amounts of liquids contained in plastic beverage containers are consumed by consumers each year. Most of these plastic beverage containers are discarded as trash after a single usage, increasing the amount of waste in the environment and usually ending up in land fills. Plastic beverage containers are used only a single time by consumers because the consumer directly contacts the mouthpiece of the beverage container during drinking which contaminates the mouthpiece of the beverage container, and most of the beverage containers cannot be easily cleaned, such as by a home dishwasher.
Therefore, there is a need for a device and method to decrease the amount of disposable beverage containers that is discarded as waste by increasing the number of times the beverage containers can be used.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a device for allowing a consumer to drink liquid from a beverage container without the consumer's mouth directly contacting the mouthpiece of the beverage container. The device comprises a removable mouthpiece which can be reversibly connected to the mouthpiece of a beverage container; where the removable mouthpiece comprises a first end, a second end, and a hollow center between the first end and the second end, to permit passage of liquid from the beverage container through the removable mouthpiece from the first end to the second end; where the removable mouthpiece further comprises a first section, and a second section integrally connected to the first section; where the first section of the removable mouthpiece comprises an outer surface, an opposing inner surface, a first edge and a second edge; where the inner surface of the first section of the removable mouthpiece comprises one or more than one thread; where the thread of the inner surface of the first section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a thickness and spacing suitable for mating with a corresponding thread on the mouthpiece of the beverage container; where the second section of the removable mouthpiece comprises an outer surface, an inner surface, a first edge and a second edge; and where the first edge of the second section of the removable mouthpiece is integrally connected to the second edge of the first section of the removable mouthpiece; and the device further comprises a cap for the removable mouthpiece for sealing one end of the removable mouthpiece; where the cap comprises an outer surface, an opposing inner surface, a first end, an edge of the first end, a second end, and a thread on the inner surface; where the thread on the inner surface comprises a thickness and spacing suitable for mating with the corresponding thread of the outer surface of the second section of the removable mouthpiece; where the second end of the cap seals the cap thereby preventing liquid from exiting the cap through the second end; and where the outer surface of the second section comprises one or more than one thread comprising a thickness and spacing suitable for mating with a corresponding thread on the inner surface of the cap.
In one embodiment, the outer surface of the first section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a cylindrical shape; where the first edge of the first section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a circular shape suitable for mating with a lip on the mouthpiece of a beverage container; where the second edge of the first section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a flange suitable for mating with the first edge of the cap; where the outer surface of the second section comprises a cylindrical shape; where the first edge of the second section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a circular shape; where the second edge of the second section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a circular shape; where the outer surface of the cap comprises a cylindrical shape; where the edge of the first end of the cap comprises a circular shape suitable for mating with the second edge of the first section of the removable mouthpiece; and where the mouthpiece and cap are non-integrally connected to each other.
In another embodiment, the outer surface of the first section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a cylindrical shape. In another embodiment, the first edge of the first section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a circular shape suitable for mating with a lip on the mouthpiece of a beverage container. In another embodiment, the second edge of the first section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a flange suitable for mating with the first edge of the cap. In another embodiment, the outer surface of the second section comprises a cylindrical shape. In another embodiment, the first edge of the second section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a circular shape. In another embodiment, the second edge of the second section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a circular shape. In another embodiment, the outer surface of the cap comprises a cylindrical shape. In another embodiment, the edge of the first end of the cap comprises a circular shape suitable for mating with the second edge of the first section of the removable mouthpiece. In another embodiment, the mouthpiece and cap are non-integrally connected to each other.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for allowing a consumer to drink liquid from a beverage container without the consumer's mouth directly contacting the mouthpiece of the beverage container. The method comprises a) providing a device according to the present invention; b) providing a beverage container containing a liquid; where the beverage container comprises a body for holding the liquid, and a mouthpiece connected to the body of the beverage container; where the mouthpiece of the beverage container comprises one or more than one thread comprising a thickness and spacing suitable for mating with the thread of the inner surface of the first section of the removable mouthpiece of the device; where the mouthpiece of the beverage container comprises a lip; c) reversibly connecting the device to the mouthpiece of the beverage container by screwing the removable mouthpiece of the device onto the mouthpiece of the beverage container utilizing the thread of the inner surface of the first section of the removable mouthpiece to mate with the thread of the mouthpiece of the beverage container; d) separating the cap of the device from the removable mouthpiece of the device by unscrewing the cap from the second section of the removable mouthpiece; and e) allowing the consumer to drink liquids from the beverage container.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises sealing the second end of the removable mouthpiece of the device by screwing the cap onto the second end of the removable mouthpiece of the device, thereby preventing liquid in the body of the beverage container from pouring out of the beverage container. In another embodiment, the method further comprises disconnecting the removable mouthpiece from the beverage container and cleaning the removable mouthpiece. In another embodiment, the beverage container is a first beverage container; and the method further comprises providing a second beverage container comprising a mouthpiece; and the method further comprises using the device on the second beverage container to allow the consumer to drink liquid from the second beverage container without the consumer's mouth directly contacting the mouthpiece of the second beverage container.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system for allowing a consumer to drink liquid from a beverage container without the consumer's mouth directly contacting the mouthpiece of the beverage container, the system comprising a beverage container and a device according to the present invention. In one embodiment, the removable mouthpiece of the device is a first removable mouthpiece, and where the system further comprises a second removable mouthpiece. In another embodiment, the first removable mouthpiece of the device is of a different size than the second removable mouthpiece. In another embodiment, the device is a first device, and the system further comprises a second device. In another embodiment, the first device is of a different size than the second device.

FIGURES

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying figures which depict various views and embodiments of the device, and some of the steps in certain embodiments of the method of the present invention, where:

FIG. 1 is a lateral perspective view of a removable mouthpiece of a device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the removable mouthpiece as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a lateral perspective view of a cap of a device according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the cap as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a lateral perspective view of a device according to the present invention comprising the removable mouthpiece shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, and the cap shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a lateral perspective view of a beverage container suitable for use with a device according to the present invention, and shows one step in one method according to the present invention; and

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show some steps in one method according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a device for allowing a consumer to drink liquid from a beverage container without the consumer's mouth directly contacting the mouthpiece of the beverage container. According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for allowing a consumer to drink liquid from a beverage container without the consumer's mouth directly contacting the mouthpiece of the beverage container. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a device according to the present invention. The device and method will now be disclosed in detail.
All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown in these Figures are not necessarily to scale. As will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, the actual dimensions of any device or part of a device disclosed in this disclosure will be determined by its intended use.
As used in this disclosure, two elements of a device are “integral” if they are joined together in a manner that does not allow separation of the two elements from one another by the user of the device without cutting through or destroying the function one or both of the two elements, or of the device as a whole.
As used in this disclosure, two elements of a device are “non-integral” if they are joined together in a manner to allow separation of the two elements from one another by the user of the device without cutting through or destroying the function one or both of the two elements, or of the device as a whole.
The device of the present invention and its component parts comprise any suitable material for the intended purpose of the device, as will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure.
The devices of the present invention and its component parts can be constructed according to standard techniques, as will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure.
In one embodiment, the present invention is a device for allowing a consumer to drink liquid from a beverage container without the consumer's mouth directly contacting the mouthpiece of the beverage container. Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, there are shown, respectively, a lateral perspective view of a removable mouthpiece of a device according to the present invention (FIG. 1); a bottom perspective view of the removable mouthpiece shown in FIG. 1 (FIG. 2); a lateral perspective view of a cap of a device according to the present invention (FIG. 3); a bottom perspective view of the cap shown in FIG. 3 (FIG. 4); and a lateral perspective view of a device according to the present invention comprising the removable mouthpiece shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, and the cap shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 (FIG. 5). As can be seen, the device 10 comprises a removable mouthpiece 12 which can be reversibly connected to the mouthpiece of a beverage container, and the device 10 further comprises a cap 14 for the removable mouthpiece 12 for sealing one end of the removable mouthpiece 12. The removable mouthpiece 12 and cap 14 can be non-integrally connected to each other.
The removable mouthpiece 12 comprises a first end 16, a second end 18, and a hollow center 20 between the first end 16 and the second end 18, to permit passage of liquid from the beverage container through the removable mouthpiece 12 from the first end 16 to the second end 18.
The removable mouthpiece 12 further comprises a first section 22 and a second section 24 integrally connected to the first section 22. As can be seen particularly in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first section 22 comprises an outer surface 26, an opposing inner surface 28, a first edge 30 and a second edge 32. The outer surface 26 of the first section 22 comprises any shape suitable for the intended purpose of the device 10, but in a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the outer surface 26 of the first section 22 comprises a cylindrical shape. The inner surface 28 of the first section 22 comprises one or more than one thread 34. The thread 34 comprises a thickness and spacing suitable for mating with a corresponding thread on the mouthpiece of a beverage container (shown in FIG. 6), as will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure. The first edge 30 of the first section 22 of the removable mouthpiece 12 comprises any shape suitable for the intended purpose of the device 10, but in a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first edge 30 of the first section 22 of the removable mouthpiece 12 comprises a circular shape suitable for mating with a lip on the mouthpiece of a beverage container (shown in FIG. 6) as will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure. The second edge 32 of the first section 22 of the removable mouthpiece 12 comprises any shape suitable for the intended purpose of the device 10, but in a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the second edge 32 of the first section 22 of the removable mouthpiece 12 comprises a flange suitable for mating with the first edge of the cap 14 of the removable mouthpiece 12 as shown particularly in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, as will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure.
As can be seen particularly in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the second section 24 of the removable mouthpiece 12 comprises an outer surface 36, an inner surface 38, a first edge 40 and a second edge 42. The outer surface 36 of the second section 24 comprises any shape suitable for the intended purpose of the device 10, but in a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, the outer surface 36 of the second section 24 comprises a generally cylindrical shape, and further comprises one or more than one thread 44. The thread 44 comprises a thickness and spacing suitable for mating with a corresponding thread on the inner surface of the cap 14 of the removable mouthpiece 12 (shown in FIG. 4), as will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure. The first edge 40 of the second section 24 of the removable mouthpiece 12 comprises any shape suitable for the intended purpose of the device 10, but in a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first edge 40 of the second section 24 of the removable mouthpiece 12 comprises a circular shape and is integrally connected to the second edge 32 of the first section 22 of the removable mouthpiece 12, as will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure. The second edge 42 of the second section 24 of the removable mouthpiece 12 comprises any shape suitable for the intended purpose of the device 10, but in a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, the second edge 42 of the second section 24 of the removable mouthpiece 12 comprises a smooth circular shape as shown particularly in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7 for allowing the consumer to drink liquid from a beverage container connected to the device 10, where the consumer's mouth directly contacts the second edge 42 of the removable mouthpiece 12 of the device, as will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure.
Referring now to FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, the device 10 further comprises a cap 14 for the removable mouthpiece 12 for sealing one end of the removable mouthpiece 12. The cap 14 comprises an outer surface 46, an opposing inner surface 48, a first end 50, an edge 52 of the first end 50, a second end 54, and a thread 56 on the inner surface 48. The outer surface 46 of the cap 14 comprises any shape suitable for the intended purpose of the device 10, but in a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIGS. 5 and 8, the outer surface 46 of the cap 14 comprises a cylindrical shape. The inner surface 48 of the cap 14 comprises one or more than one thread 56. The thread 56 comprises a thickness and spacing suitable for mating with the corresponding thread 44 of the outer surface 36 of the second section 24 of the removable mouthpiece 12 (shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 7), as will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure. The edge 52 of the first end 50 of the cap 14 comprises any shape suitable for the intended purpose of the device 10, but in a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the edge 52 of the first end 50 of the cap 14 comprises a circular shape suitable for mating with the second edge 32 of the first section 22 of the removable mouthpiece 12, as will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure. The second end 54 of the cap 14 seals the cap 14 thereby preventing liquid from exiting the cap 14 through the second end 54.
The device 10 of the present invention and its component parts comprise any suitable material for the intended purpose of the device, as will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure. Preferably, the device 10 comprises a light-weight, polymer such as polyethylene, that can be manufactured into the device relatively inexpensively compared to other materials such as metals, and that can be cleaned by placement in a house dishwasher, that is to say that the material used to manufacture the device 10 will not change shape or melt at the temperatures used in repeated cleaning and drying cycles in a home dishwasher.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for allowing a consumer to drink liquid from a beverage container without the consumer's mouth directly contacting the mouthpiece of the beverage container. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a device according to the present invention.
Referring now to FIG. 1 through FIG. 8, and particularly to FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, in one embodiment, the method comprises providing a beverage container 58 containing a liquid, such as for example an electrolyte solution, a juice or water. The beverage container 58 comprises a body 60 for holding the liquid, and further comprises a mouthpiece 62 connected to the body 60 of the beverage container 58. The mouthpiece 62 of the beverage container 58 comprises one or more than one thread 64, the thread 64 comprising a thickness and spacing suitable for mating with the thread 34 of the inner surface 28 of the first section 22 of the removable mouthpiece 12 of the device 10, as will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure. In one embodiment, the mouthpiece 62 further comprises a lip 66.
Next, the device 10 is reversibly connected to the mouthpiece 62 by screwing the removable mouthpiece 12 of the device 10 onto the mouthpiece 62 of the beverage container 58 utilizing the thread 34 of the inner surface 28 of the first section 22 of the removable mouthpiece 12 to mate with the thread 64 of the mouthpiece 62 of the beverage container 58. Then, the cap 14 of the device 10 is separated from the removable mouthpiece 12 of the device 10 by unscrewing the cap 14 from the second section 24 of the removable mouthpiece 12, as will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure.
Next, the consumer is allowed to drink liquids from the beverage container 58 without the consumer's mouth directly contacting the mouthpiece of the beverage container, by contacting the consumer's mouth directly onto the second edge 42 of the second section 24 of the removable mouthpiece 12, and allowing liquid to pass from the body 60 of the beverage container 58, through the mouthpiece 62 of the beverage container 58 and through the center 20 of the removable mouthpiece 12 into the consumer's mouth.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises sealing the second end 18 of the removable mouthpiece 12 of the device 10 by screwing the cap 14 onto the second end 18 of the removable mouthpiece 12 of the device 10, thereby preventing liquid in the body 60 of the beverage container 58 from pouring out of the beverage container 58.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises disconnecting the removable mouthpiece 12 from the beverage container 58 and cleaning the removable mouthpiece 12, such as for example, by using a home dishwasher.
In one embodiment, the beverage container is a first beverage container, and the method further comprises providing a second beverage container comprising a mouthpiece, and the method further comprises using the device 10 on the second beverage container to allow the consumer to drink liquid from the second beverage container without the consumer's mouth directly contacting the mouthpiece of the second beverage container.
In one embodiment, the present invention is a system for allowing a consumer to drink liquid from a beverage container without the consumer's mouth directly contacting the mouthpiece of the beverage container. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the system 68 comprises a beverage container 58 and comprises a device 10. In one embodiment, the device 10 is connected to the beverage container 58. In one embodiment, the device 10 is a first device, and the system further comprises a second device 10. In one embodiment, the removable mouthpiece 12 of the device 10 is a first removable mouthpiece 12, and the system further comprises a second removable mouthpiece 12.
In one embodiment, the system 68 further comprises one or more than one additional removable mouthpiece 12, or one or more than one device 10. The system can be used in a method according to the present invention.
In one embodiment, the present invention is another system for allowing a consumer to drink liquid from a beverage container without the consumer's mouth directly contacting the mouthpiece of the beverage container. In this embodiment, the system comprises a device according to the present invention with a removable mouthpiece configured to mate with the mouthpiece of a beverage container having a beverage container mouthpiece of a first size, and the system further comprises one or more than one additional mouthpiece comprising a first section configured to mate with the mouthpiece of a beverage container having a beverage container mouthpiece of a different size than the first size.
Although the present invention has been discussed in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of preferred embodiments contained in this disclosure. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Claims

1. A device for allowing a consumer to drink liquid from a beverage container without the consumer's mouth directly contacting the mouthpiece of the beverage container, the device comprising:

a) a removable mouthpiece which can be reversibly connected to the mouthpiece of a beverage container;

where the removable mouthpiece comprises a first end, a second end, and a hollow center between the first end and the second end, to permit passage of liquid from the beverage container through the removable mouthpiece from the first end to the second end;

where the removable mouthpiece further comprises a first section, and a second section integrally connected to the first section;

where the first section of the removable mouthpiece comprises an outer surface, an opposing inner surface, a first edge and a second edge;

where the inner surface of the first section of the removable mouthpiece comprises one or more than one thread;

where the thread of the inner surface of the first section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a thickness and spacing suitable for mating with a corresponding thread on the mouthpiece of the beverage container;

where the second section of the removable mouthpiece comprises an outer surface, an inner surface, a first edge and a second edge; and

where the first edge of the second section of the removable mouthpiece is integrally connected to the second edge of the first section of the removable mouthpiece; and

b) a cap for the removable mouthpiece for sealing one end of the removable mouthpiece;

where the cap comprises an outer surface, an opposing inner surface, a first end, an edge of the first end, a second end, and a thread on the inner surface;

where the thread on the inner surface comprises a thickness and spacing suitable for mating with the corresponding thread of the outer surface of the second section of the removable mouthpiece;

where the second end of the cap seals the cap thereby preventing liquid from exiting the cap through the second end; and

where the outer surface of the second section comprises one or more than one thread comprising a thickness and spacing suitable for mating with a corresponding thread on the inner surface of the cap.

2. The device of claim 1, where the outer surface of the first section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a cylindrical shape;

where the first edge of the first section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a circular shape suitable for mating with a lip on the mouthpiece of a beverage container;

where the second edge of the first section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a flange suitable for mating with the first edge of the cap;

where the outer surface of the second section comprises a cylindrical shape;

where the first edge of the second section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a circular shape;

where the second edge of the second section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a circular shape;

where the outer surface of the cap comprises a cylindrical shape;

where the edge of the first end of the cap comprises a circular shape suitable for mating with the second edge of the first section of the removable mouthpiece; and

where the mouthpiece and cap are non-integrally connected to each other.

3. The device of claim 1, where the outer surface of the first section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a cylindrical shape.

4. The device of claim 1, where the first edge of the first section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a circular shape suitable for mating with a lip on the mouthpiece of a beverage container.

5. The device of claim 1, where the second edge of the first section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a flange suitable for mating with the first edge of the cap.

6. The device of claim 1, where the outer surface of the second section comprises a cylindrical shape.

7. The device of claim 1, where the first edge of the second section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a circular shape.

8. The device of claim 1, where the second edge of the second section of the removable mouthpiece comprises a circular shape.

9. The device of claim 1, where the outer surface of the cap comprises a cylindrical shape.

10. The device of claim 1, where the edge of the first end of the cap comprises a circular shape suitable for mating with the second edge of the first section of the removable mouthpiece.

11. The device of claim 1, where the mouthpiece and cap are non-integrally connected to each other.

12. A method for allowing a consumer to drink liquid from a beverage container without the consumer's mouth directly contacting the mouthpiece of the beverage container, the method comprising:

a) providing a device according to claim 1;

b) providing a beverage container containing a liquid;

where the beverage container comprises a body for holding the liquid, and a mouthpiece connected to the body of the beverage container;

where the mouthpiece of the beverage container comprises one or more than one thread comprising a thickness and spacing suitable for mating with the thread of the inner surface of the first section of the removable mouthpiece of the device;

where the mouthpiece of the beverage container comprises a lip;

c) reversibly connecting the device to the mouthpiece of the beverage container by screwing the removable mouthpiece of the device onto the mouthpiece of the beverage container utilizing the thread of the inner surface of the first section of the removable mouthpiece to mate with the thread of the mouthpiece of the beverage container;

d) separating the cap of the device from the removable mouthpiece of the device by unscrewing the cap from the second section of the removable mouthpiece; and

e) allowing the consumer drink liquids from the beverage container.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising sealing the second end of the removable mouthpiece of the device by screwing the cap onto the second end of the removable mouthpiece of the device, thereby preventing liquid in the body of the beverage container from pouring out of the beverage container.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising disconnecting the removable mouthpiece from the beverage container and cleaning the removable mouthpiece.

15. The method of claim 12, where the beverage container is a first beverage container;

where the method further comprises providing a second beverage container comprising a mouthpiece; and

where the method further comprises using the device on the second beverage container to allow the consumer to drink liquid from the second beverage container without the consumer's mouth directly contacting the mouthpiece of the second beverage container.

16. A method for allowing a consumer to drink liquid from a beverage container without the consumer's mouth directly contacting the mouthpiece of the beverage container, the method comprising:

a) providing a device according to claim 2;

b) providing a beverage container containing a liquid;

where the mouthpiece of the beverage container comprises a lip;

e) allowing the consumer to drink liquids from the beverage container.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising sealing the second end of the removable mouthpiece of the device by screwing the cap onto the second end of the removable mouthpiece of the device, thereby preventing liquid in the body of the beverage container from pouring out of the beverage container.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising disconnecting the removable mouthpiece from the beverage container and cleaning the removable mouthpiece.

19. The method of claim 16, where the beverage container is a first beverage container;

20. A system for allowing a consumer to drink liquid from a beverage container without the consumer's mouth directly contacting the mouthpiece of the beverage container, the system comprising a beverage container and a device according to claim 1.

21. The system of claim 20, where the removable mouthpiece of the device is a first removable mouthpiece, and where the system further comprises a second removable mouthpiece.

22. The system of claim 21, where the first removable mouthpiece of the device is of a different size than the second removable mouthpiece.

23. The system of claim 20, where the device is a first device, and where the system further comprises a second device.

24. The system of claim 23, where the first device is of a different size than the second device.

25. A system for allowing a consumer to drink liquid from a beverage container without the consumer's mouth directly contacting the mouthpiece of the beverage container, the system comprising a beverage container and a device according to claim 2.

26. The system of claim 25, where the removable mouthpiece of the device is a first removable mouthpiece, and where the system further comprises a second removable mouthpiece.

27. The system of claim 26, where the first removable mouthpiece of the device is of a different size than the second removable mouthpiece.

28. The system of claim 25, where the device is a first device, and where the system further comprises a second device.

29. The system of claim 28, where the first device is of a different size than the second device.