a hands - free activating valve which permits liquid to flow and be ingested by the user . the apparatus includes a mouth portion and a mounting portion which engages to the opening of a container such as a water bottle . embedded within the mouth portion is the hands - free activating valve which includes an elongated flexible arch shaped activating stem , where one end is fixed to a holding plate and the other end is attached to a valve . the activating stem has memory which allows the stem to return to its initial condition . the valve is seated on a valve seat of the mounting portion for blocking liquid from exiting the apparatus . in addition , there is also an elongated liquid channel which is located adjacent to the activating stem . this liquid channel extends from the holding plate to the valve and communicates to the outside for allowing the liquid to flow therethrough and be consumed by the user . to activate the hands - free activating valve , the user &# 39 ; s front teeth are positioned on the arch of the activating stem , where the user &# 39 ; s front teeth apply a downward force on the arch , thereby moving the valve inwardly to allow the valve to move away from the valve seat which in turn allows liquid to flow through the liquid channel to be sucked and consumed by the user .