US20160051071A1 - Bendable Safety Straw - Google Patents
Bendable Safety Straw Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20160051071A1 US20160051071A1 US14/824,900 US201514824900A US2016051071A1 US 20160051071 A1 US20160051071 A1 US 20160051071A1 US 201514824900 A US201514824900 A US 201514824900A US 2016051071 A1 US2016051071 A1 US 2016051071A1
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- Prior art keywords
- straw
- container
- canceled
- lid
- user
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G19/00—Table service
- A47G19/22—Drinking vessels or saucers used for table service
- A47G19/2205—Drinking glasses or vessels
- A47G19/2266—Means for facilitating drinking, e.g. for infants or invalids
- A47G19/2272—Means for facilitating drinking, e.g. for infants or invalids from drinking glasses or cups comprising lids or covers
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G21/00—Table-ware
- A47G21/18—Drinking straws or the like
- A47G21/186—Details of bendable straws
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G21/00—Table-ware
- A47G21/18—Drinking straws or the like
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G21/00—Table-ware
- A47G21/18—Drinking straws or the like
- A47G21/187—Drinking straws or the like with means for cooling the liquid
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D43/02—Removable lids or covers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D43/02—Removable lids or covers
- B65D43/0202—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element
- B65D43/0204—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections
- B65D43/0212—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections only on the outside, or a part turned to the outside, of the mouth
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D43/14—Non-removable lids or covers
- B65D43/16—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
- B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
- B65D47/32—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with means for venting
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D51/18—Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/32—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging two or more different materials which must be maintained separate prior to use in admixture
- B65D81/3205—Separate rigid or semi-rigid containers joined to each other at their external surfaces
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
- B65D2251/0006—Upper closure
- B65D2251/0018—Upper closure of the 43-type
- B65D2251/0021—Upper closure of the 43-type of the B65D43/16-type
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
- B65D2251/0006—Upper closure
- B65D2251/0028—Upper closure of the 51-type
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
- B65D2251/0068—Lower closure
- B65D2251/0081—Lower closure of the 43-type
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
- B65D2251/0068—Lower closure
- B65D2251/009—Lower closure of the 51-type
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
- B65D2543/00046—Drinking-through lids
Abstract
A hot liquid straw is disclosed which features a flexible, elongated, hollow body having a continuous noncircular cross section and a length suited for drinking from a beverage container. The straw is dimensioned to regulate flow and remove heat from a hot liquid as it passes through, thereby delivering a volume of the liquid to a user's mouth at a temperature which is safe for consumption. The straw is flexible to allow for safe drinking on the go and for use in various heights of beverage containers. A system for drinking from a beverage container with a lid that accepts a snap-on container is also disclosed, in which the straw is inserted through a hole in the lid.
Description
- This application is also related to U.S. Pat. No. 8,596,491 entitled “CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER” issued on Dec. 3, 2013; U.S. Pat. No. 8,695,845 entitled “TOP MOUNTING CAN CONTAINER” issued on Apr, 15, 2014; U.S. Pat. No. 8,381,935 entitled “CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER” issued on Feb. 26, 2013; U.S. Pat. No. 8,714,393 entitled “CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER” issued on May 6, 2014; U.S. Pat. No. 8,590,730 entitled “TOP MOUNTING CAN CONTAINER” issued on Nov. 26, 2013; U.S. Pat. No. 8,708,181 entitled “LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER” issued on Apr. 29, 2014; U.S. Pat. No. 8,701,914 entitled “TWO-PART RECYCLABLE CUP” issued on Apr. 22, 2014; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/412,602 entitled “TOP MOUNTING BOTTLE CONTAINER” filed on Mar. 5, 2012; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/680,011 entitled “CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER” filed on Nov. 17, 2012; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/680,049 entitled “CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER” filed on Nov. 17, 2012; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/733,153 entitled “CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER” filed on Jan. 3, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/263,993 entitled “LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER” filed on Apr. 28, 2014; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/269,016 entitled “A CONTAINER LID WITH ONE OR MORE CAVITIES” filed on May 2, 2014; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/274,576 entitled “A CONTAINER LID WITH A FOOD COMPARTMENT AND A SIP-HOLE” filed on May 9, 2014; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/313,907 entitled “A CONTAINER LID SYSTEM WITH A LID PORTION AND FOOD CONTAINER PORTION” filed on Jun. 24, 2014; U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/005,862 entitled “A CONTAINER LID SYSTEM WITH A LID PORTION AND FOOD CONTAINER PORTION” filed on May 30, 2014; and U.S. Patent Application 62/038,199 entitled “A CONTAINER LID SYSTEM WITH TAMPER INDICATOR” filed on Aug. 15, 2014; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/500,266 entitled “BENDABLE DRINKING STRAW” filed on Aug. 22, 2014; all of which are by the same inventor of the present application. Each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates to drinking straws.
- The increased popularity of fast-food establishments, coupled with the popularity of consumption of food and beverages on-the-go, have led to the need for more convenient and safer takeout packaging.
- Currently, a consumer wishing to drink from a takeout beverage container has two standard options: sipping the beverage through a sip hole in the lid of the beverage container, as is common for hot drinks such as coffee; or sucking the beverage through a straw placed into the beverage container, as is common for drinks consumed cold, such as sodas. Sip holes, typically used for hot beverages, require the consumer to take small sips to avoid scalding. While many consumers would prefer a controlled or regulated delivery of their hot beverage, standard straws do not allow for the liquid to cool to a comfortable temperature before reaching the consumer's mouth and thus have the potential to cause burns. Both straws and sip holes can be hazardous when the consumer is engaged in an activity, such as driving or walking, that requires maintaining eyes forward to watch the path ahead, and which may involve sudden stops. The consumer may have to look down and away from the road while drinking from a straw or may have forward vision obstructed by the beverage container while tipping it back to drink via a sip hole. Straws are also potentially dangerous if the consumer's head decelerates quickly while drinking, for example when braking unexpectedly during a drive. In that case, the straw may stab the consumer in the roof of her or his mouth. While some straws incorporate a flexible portion to allow the consumer to keep eyes forward, they do not eliminate this risk of stabbing, and further must be sized particularly for each height of beverage container.
- Existing takeout beverage and food containers are also inconvenient, requiring the consumer to set aside a sandwich to take a drink, for example; or, in the case of a beverage container with a lid that accepts a snap-on food container, the food container must be decoupled in order for the consumer to sip a hot drink through a sip hole.
- What is therefore needed is a straw that overcomes these drawbacks and fosters convenient on-the-go drinking.
- The present invention provides an elegant solution to the needs described above and provides numerous additional benefits and advantages as will be apparent to persons of skill in the art.
- One aspect provides a bendable hot liquid straw with a continuous noncircular cross section that is dimensioned to regulate and cool a hot liquid as it passes through, thereby delivering a controlled volume of the liquid to a consumer's mouth at a safe and pleasing temperature that will not cause scalding. The cross section of the straw may be substantially a rectangle with rounded corners.
- Another aspect of the straw, which may be straight and made of plastic, polypropylene for example, or other suitable materials, is that it is elastically deformable to at least 180 degrees without collapsing the cross section. This flexibility allows it to bend if the consumer's head moves forward due to a force, e.g. hard braking, such that the straw does not stab the consumer's mouth. Further, one size of the straw can be used in a variety of heights of beverage containers.
- In one embodiment, the straw is pre-formed into an arc shape. This allows for even safe drinking on the go, because the arc shape places the tip of the straw horizontally so that a consumer can use it to drink from a beverage container without removing eyes from the road.
- The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not meant to be exhaustive. Other aspects, objects, and advantages of this invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.
- The invention can be better understood with reference to the following figures. The components within the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed on clearly illustrating example aspects of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views and/or embodiments. It will be understood that certain components and details may not appear in the figures to assist in more clearly describing the invention.
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FIG. 1 illustrates a consumer using a novel straw, without diverting the consumer's gaze. -
FIG. 2 illustrates a consumer using a conventional straw with the consumer's gaze diverted. -
FIG. 3A shows the straw ofFIG. 1 used with a short beverage container. -
FIG. 3B shows the straw ofFIG. 1 used with a beverage container that is taller than the beverage container ofFIG. 3A . -
FIG. 3C shows the straw ofFIG. 1 used with a beverage container that is taller than the beverage container ofFIG. 3B . -
FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the straw ofFIG. 1 used with a beverage container that has a food compartment on top. -
FIG. 5 is a side view of the straw ofFIG. 1 used with a beverage container that has a food compartment on top. -
FIG. 6 is an embodiment of the straw with a large opening. -
FIG. 7 is an embodiment of the straw with a narrow opening. -
FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the straw ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 9 is a side view of the straw ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 10 illustrates the straw ofFIG. 1 deforming into the beverage container. -
FIG. 11 illustrates how a conventional straw can stab the inside of a consumer's mouth. -
FIG. 12A depicts the general parameters for flow analysis of a novel straw. -
FIG. 12B depicts the flow analysis of four straw configurations. -
FIG. 12C is an isometric view of the straws ofFIG. 12B . -
FIG. 12D is a side illustration of any of the straws ofFIG. 12B in bending. -
FIG. 12E is a front illustration of any of the straws ofFIG. 12B in bending. -
FIG. 12F is an isometric illustration of any of the straws ofFIG. 12B in bending. -
FIG. 13A is an isometric view of a beverage container with a lid that has a food container snapped or coupled to the lid, with the straw ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 13B is a side view of the beverage container/lid complex ofFIG. 13A . -
FIG. 13C is an isometric view of the beverage container/lid complex ofFIG. 13A . -
FIG. 13D is an isometric view of the beverage container/lid complex ofFIG. 13A , with the food container detached from the lid of the beverage container. -
FIG. 13E is an isometric view of the beverage container/lid complex ofFIG. 13A , with the food container detached from the lid beverage container and rotated to show the mating surfaces. -
FIG. 13F is an isometric view of the beverage container/lid complex ofFIG. 13A , with the food container detached from the lid of the beverage container. -
FIG. 13G is an isometric view of the beverage container lid ofFIG. 13A , with the food container removed and without the beverage container and straw, showing detail of the straw hole. -
FIG. 13H is a top view of the lid ofFIG. 13G . -
FIG. 13I is a side view of the lid ofFIG. 13G . - Following is a non-limiting written description of example embodiments illustrating various aspects of the invention. These examples are provided to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the full scope of the invention without having to engage in an undue amount of experimentation. As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, further modifications and adaptations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the claims. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Particular example embodiments of the present invention may be implemented without some or all of these features or specific details. In other instances, components well known to persons of skill in the art have not been described in detail in order not to obscure unnecessarily the present invention.
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FIG. 1 illustrates thestraw 10 used in abeverage container 20. The straw is similar to the one disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/500266 entitled “BENDABLE DRINKING STRAW” filed on Aug. 22, 2014, which is by the same inventor of the present application and is incorporated herein by reference. Thestraw 10 may optionally be pre-shaped with an arc shape, and is flexible as described in more detail with reference toFIG. 10 . Thestraw 10 may also be semi-rigid such that it returns to its original shape when it is not under a bending force. Thestraw 10 may be made of a compliant material such as plastic or composite, to allow it to reversibly deflect as described in more detail with reference toFIG. 10 . Because thestraw 10 may be pre-formed with an arc shape, the consumer can drink from the straw from a natural horizontal position, keeping her or hisgaze 30 forward. This is important when the consumer's gaze cannot be diverted, for example when the consumer is driving a vehicle and would like to take a sip through the straw without looking away from the road ahead. As shown inFIG. 2 , with aconventional straw 40, the consumer'sgaze 50 is diverted when drinking - Previous straw designs addressed this problem with a short section of the straw that was bendable with an accordion-like structure. The portion of the straw on either end of the accordion-like structure was straight, and bending the accordion-like structure could create a 90-degree turn such that the user would access the end of the straw in the horizontal position. But as discussed below, when these accordion-like bendable straws are used with a top-mounted snap-on food container that may be larger than the beverage container lid, the straw must be sized in relation to the height of each particular type of beverage container thereby, reducing their utility.
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FIGS. 3A , 3B and 3C illustrate thesame straw 10 placed into three beverage containers ofdifferent depths straw 10 exits the beverage container with about the same amount of vertical clearance. This takes on more importance when the beverage container only has limited vertical clearance. For example, inFIG. 4 , thebeverage container 20D has afood container 60 placed on top it. Such a food container is disclosed in the applications listed at the beginning of this application, the disclosures of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. But as shown atposition 70, thefood container 60 restricts the amount of vertical clearance of astraw 10. A conventional accordion-like bendable straw would need to be specifically manufactured for the precise depth of thecontainer 20D. If thefood container 60 were placed on a shorter beverage container (forexample container 20A ofFIG. 3A ), yet another straw would need to be manufactured that was shorter. Because of the bendable characteristics of thestraw 10, which may optionally be arc-shaped, (shown in more detail inFIGS. 3A , 3B and 3C), a single straw can be used with various heights of beverage containers. -
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate two cross sectional shapes of thestraw 10, withFIG. 6 having alarger opening 80 for thicker beverages such as milk shakes andFIG. 7 having anarrower opening 90 for hot beverages such as coffee. It would be apparent that other cross sectional shapes are possible. -
FIG. 8 is an isometric view of thestraw 10 intended to show the arc-shape.FIG. 9 is a side view showing the arc-shape. In the embodiments shown, the straw has more than a 20-degree arc and is approximately 12 inches long. It would be apparent that other arc angles and lengths are possible. - In addition to the safety feature of allowing a consumer to drink in a natural horizontal position without diverting her or his gaze, the straw also is compliant so as to minimize stabbing that is common with a conventional straw.
FIG. 10 illustrates a consumer drinking from thestraw 10 even when experiencing a force that propels the consumer's head forward in the direction ofarrow 100. Thestraw 10 bendably deforms to position 110 fromposition 120. Aconvention straw 40, shown in inFIG. 11 , would stab the consumer in the same situation. If, for example, a consumer was driving and held the beverage container in an orientation to maintain a forward gaze as inFIG. 11 , and that consumer experienced a force such as hard braking that propelled the consumer's head forward in the direction ofarrow 130, thestraw 40 would not bend and would stab the inner portion of the consumer'smouth 140. Also when thestraw 40 bends, the cross-section area of the straw does not collapse or crimp. Thestraw 10 is constructed such that the amount of force necessary to bend the straw does not cause discomfort to the user's mouth. In one embodiment, the amount of bending force necessary is between 0.02 N and 0.2 N. Thestraw 10 may be made more rigid, but the bending force would then also increase, possibly causing discomfort to the user's mouth. - A further feature of the straw concerns its ability to regulate or cool hot liquids during use to prevent burns.
FIGS. 12A-12F illustrate a straight andbendable straw 10 used in a beverage container. The bendable drinking straw is designed such that it can bend at least 180 degrees as shown inFIGS. 12D and 12F . The straw may also be optionally pre-formed in an arc-shape. - Currently, hot liquids are delivered from a beverage container to the consumer via a sip hole that allows a user to tip the container and sip the hot liquid. It is the sipping that allows the liquid to cool, preventing scalding. Because the bendable straw can be used for hot beverages, it is helpful that the length and internal surface are of the straw allows the liquid to cool when it travels from the beverage container to the consumer's mouth. Conventional circular straws (by circular, it is meant the cross section) do not allow for safely bending or deflecting off a top mounted food container, nor do they sufficiently regulate or cool a hot liquid. For this reason, consumers do not use a conventional circular straw for consuming hot beverages. Rather, the bendable straw disclosed herein may be used to have a properly sized cross sectional area and length such that the amount of liquid entering the consumer's mouth is properly regulated or cooled, and therefore will not scald the user. This is especially helpful when the user is performing some other task while consuming the beverage. For example, a user who is driving would prefer to use a straw to consume the hot beverage such that his or her gaze is not diverted or obstructed by having to tilt the beverage container to access the liquid from the sip hole.
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FIGS. 12A and 12B depict the flow analysis of four bendable straw configurations shown inFIG. 12C . The OH parameter (or the system rating number) is a qualitative measure of the amount of head caused by the straw and is calculated by the following equation: -
OH=(Friction Factor×(L/Hydraulic Diameter))×((Velocitŷ2)/(2*Gravimetric Acceleration)) - Each of these parameters is calculated and presented in
FIG. 12B . The higher OH parameter (i.e., the head) the more able the straw is able to dissipate heat so as to reduce scalding. Another factor shown inFIG. 12B is the cross sectional area and the velocity, the product of which is the volume of liquid delivered to the user.System 1 has a low OH, meaning that the straw allows less heat to escape from the liquid and the volume of liquid delivered to the user is about 0.0473 in̂3/s. So while the straw allows less heat to escape from the liquid, the amount of liquid actually delivered is very small and non-scalding. A user may not prefer such low volume delivery.System 4 has a higher OH, meaning that the straw will allow more cooling, and the volume of liquid delivered to the user is much higher (10×) at about 0.537 in̂3/s. While the user would like the additional volume, the OH value suggests that the liquid delivered may be too hot. The combination of high volume and high temperature runs the risk of scaling.Systems system FIGS. 12A-12C . It would be apparent that the various parameters could be varied to reach an optimal volume/temperature profile for the straw without departing from the spirit of this invention. Those parameters may include but are not limited to the physical dimensions of the straw, the straw material, and the roughness of the straw. (A straw that has more internal roughness would increase the OH and reduce the temperature). Further, the dimensions may be chosen such that the straw can easily bend without causing the straw to collapse and thereby unreasonably restrict flow. The bending of the straws (systems 1-4) is shown inFIGS. 12D-12F . -
FIGS. 13A-13I illustrate alid 200 for abeverage container 215, than can be detachably connected to afood container 205. A bendable straw as discussed with reference toFIGS. 12A-12F may be inserted into a punch-outstraw hole 225. Alid 200 has a continuousouter coupling trough 210 for attachment to the open top of thebeverage container 215. Thelid 200 also has a straw-holeplanar surface 220 that is adjacent to theouter coupling trough 210. Ahole 225 for drinking the liquid in the container extends through the straw-holeplanar surface 220.Riser wall 230 extends away from the straw-holeplanar surface 220 and defines a firstplanar surface 235 above the straw-holeplanar surface 220. Asip hole 240 for drinking the liquid also extends through the firstplanar surface 235. To connect thelid 200 to thefood container 205, thelid 200 may have a foodcontainer coupling wall 245 connected to the firstplanar surface 235 that extends down from the firstplanar surface 235 to a position lower than the firstplanar surface 235. The foodcontainer coupling wall 245 may also include apressure structure 270 that places pressure against thefood container 205 when afood container 205 is coupled to thelid 200. The pressure exerted by thepressure structure 270 is selected so as to allow the secure coupling of thefood container 205 to thelid 200, and allow the decoupling of thefood container 205 from thelid 200. Thelid 200 may also have avent hole 275 to relive pressure buildup caused by hot beverages. - A food
container coupling bottom 250 is connected to the food container coupling wall. The straw holeplanar surface 220 may also have astraw hole cover 255 and ahinge 260, wherein the straw hole cover rotates about the hinge and exposes thehole 225 when a straw is punched through thehole 225. To prevent thestraw hole cover 255 from inadvertently opening, it may have atick 265 that connects it to the straw holeplanar surface 220. Thestraw hole 220 may have a substantially rectangular shape withrounded corners 280, which would accommodate thestraw 10 disclosed above. - One benefit of having the
straw hole cover 255 is that a user may prefer to use thesip hole 240. If thestraw hole 225 does not have acover 255, rather it is an open hole, the user may inadvertently spill the hot beverage while tilting the beverage cup during sipping from thesip hole 240. Thestraw hole cover 255 prevents this spillage. It further allows a retailer to use a single hot beverage lid for multiple users. Likewise as shown inFIG. 13B , when thefood container 205 is coupled to thelid 200, thesip hole 240 is substantially covered by thefood container 205, while thestraw hole 225 is not covered by thefood container 205. Thus if the user prefers to use a straw and consume the food from thefood container 205, the beverage will not spill from thesip 240 when thefood container 205 is coupled. - The straw may be constructed out of plastics, composites and other suitable materials. The straw may also be semi-rigid such that it returns to its original shape when it is not under a bending force.
- The invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments that illustrate examples of the invention but do not limit its scope. Various example systems have been shown and described having various aspects and elements. Unless indicated otherwise, any feature, aspect or element of any of these systems may be removed from, added to, combined with or modified by any other feature, aspect or element of any of the systems. As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, modifications and adaptations to the above-described systems and methods can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is defined only by the following claims. Moreover, the applicant expressly does not intend the following claims “and the embodiments in the specification to be strictly coextensive.” Phillips v. AHW Corp., 415 F.3d 1303, 1323 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (en banc).
Claims (19)
1. A liquid straw comprising:
a flexible, elongated, hollow body having a continuous noncircular cross section and a length suited for drinking from a beverage container;
the body is constructed to bend at least 90 degrees without collapsing the cross-section under a bending force but return to its original shape when the bending force is removed; and
the bending force is such that a user can bend the straw by applying the bending force on the tip of the straw with the user's mouth, and the required bending force does not cause discomfort to the user.
2. The straw of claim 1 , wherein the bending force is between 0.02 and 0.2 N.
3. The straw of claim 1 , wherein the body is dimensioned to remove heat from a hot liquid as it passes therethrough to deliver a volume of the liquid to the user's mouth at a temperature which is safe for consumption.
4. The straw of claim 1 , wherein the cross section is substantially a rectangle with rounded corners having a width and an interior thickness.
5. The straw of claim 4 , wherein the width is in a range from 0.250 to 0.440 inches, and the interior thickness is in a range from 0.020 to 0.050 inches.
6. The straw of claim 4 , wherein the body has an OH value between 0.18 and 0.23 inches and a volume delivery of greater than 0.200 in̂3/s.
7. The straw of claim 1 , wherein the body is elastically deformable to at least 180 degrees without collapsing the cross section.
8. The straw of claim 1 , wherein the body is pre-formed along the length into an arc shape of constant radius.
9. The straw of claim 8 , wherein the arc shape has a measure of greater than 20 degrees.
10. The straw of claim 1 , wherein the flexibility of the body is sufficient to allow it to be used with a plurality of beverage containers of various heights.
11. The straw of claim 1 , wherein the body is constructed of plastic.
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. (canceled)
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/824,900 US20160051071A1 (en) | 2014-08-22 | 2015-08-12 | Bendable Safety Straw |
US14/986,701 US10159367B2 (en) | 2011-09-06 | 2016-01-03 | Beverage lid that attaches to food container |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US29/500,266 USD726477S1 (en) | 2014-08-22 | 2014-08-22 | Bendable safety straw |
US201562105256P | 2015-01-20 | 2015-01-20 | |
US14/824,900 US20160051071A1 (en) | 2014-08-22 | 2015-08-12 | Bendable Safety Straw |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US29/500,266 Continuation-In-Part USD726477S1 (en) | 2011-09-06 | 2014-08-22 | Bendable safety straw |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/986,701 Continuation US10159367B2 (en) | 2011-09-06 | 2016-01-03 | Beverage lid that attaches to food container |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20160051071A1 true US20160051071A1 (en) | 2016-02-25 |
Family
ID=55347184
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/824,900 Abandoned US20160051071A1 (en) | 2011-09-06 | 2015-08-12 | Bendable Safety Straw |
US14/986,701 Expired - Fee Related US10159367B2 (en) | 2011-09-06 | 2016-01-03 | Beverage lid that attaches to food container |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US14/986,701 Expired - Fee Related US10159367B2 (en) | 2011-09-06 | 2016-01-03 | Beverage lid that attaches to food container |
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US (2) | US20160051071A1 (en) |
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USD761104S1 (en) * | 2015-10-09 | 2016-07-12 | Snacktops, Inc. | Beverage container lid |
USD761649S1 (en) * | 2015-10-09 | 2016-07-19 | Snacktops, Inc. | Beverage container lid |
USD767391S1 (en) * | 2015-10-09 | 2016-09-27 | Snacktops, Inc. | Beverage container lid |
USD772632S1 (en) * | 2015-10-09 | 2016-11-29 | Snacktops, Inc. | Bendable straw |
USD777032S1 (en) * | 2015-10-09 | 2017-01-24 | Snacktops, Inc. | Beverage container lid |
USD789743S1 (en) * | 2015-11-24 | 2017-06-20 | Ignite Usa, Llc | Tumbler |
US20170181556A1 (en) * | 2015-12-23 | 2017-06-29 | Sara Rose International Inc. | Snack and beverage container set |
USD792765S1 (en) * | 2016-09-13 | 2017-07-25 | Snacktops, Inc. | Beverage lid with food container |
USD797499S1 (en) * | 2014-12-01 | 2017-09-19 | Gobubl Limited | Container |
CN107440431A (en) * | 2017-08-02 | 2017-12-08 | 合肥四书电子商务有限公司 | A kind of glass for showing water temperature, uprightly drinking water |
USD805459S1 (en) * | 2015-01-22 | 2017-12-19 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Black box for vehicle |
USD853164S1 (en) * | 2018-05-23 | 2019-07-09 | The Final Co. Llc | Foldable reusable drinking straw |
USD859936S1 (en) * | 2016-09-13 | 2019-09-17 | Snacktops, Inc. | Combined beverage lid and food container |
USD878843S1 (en) * | 2019-02-21 | 2020-03-24 | Project X, LLC | Drinking straw |
USD883004S1 (en) * | 2018-01-05 | 2020-05-05 | Ronald W. Mortara | Swizzle stick |
US10660464B2 (en) | 2017-10-30 | 2020-05-26 | The Final Co. Llc | Reusable foldable drinking straw in storage case |
US10888186B2 (en) | 2018-06-04 | 2021-01-12 | The Final Co. Llc | Foldable reusable chopsticks and storage case |
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US9102444B2 (en) * | 2012-10-26 | 2015-08-11 | Enterprise Express, Inc. | Beverage container lid |
WO2018053376A1 (en) * | 2016-09-16 | 2018-03-22 | Snacktops, Inc. | Food container system |
US10232997B2 (en) | 2016-09-16 | 2019-03-19 | Snacktops, Inc. | Food container system |
USD856800S1 (en) * | 2016-12-12 | 2019-08-20 | Rose Plastic Ag | Packaging box |
USD913092S1 (en) * | 2020-01-30 | 2021-03-16 | Placon Corporation | Domed lid for a container |
US11447305B2 (en) | 2020-02-07 | 2022-09-20 | Michael D. Dwork | Lid |
US11447306B2 (en) | 2020-02-07 | 2022-09-20 | Michael D. Dwork | Lid |
US11618616B2 (en) | 2020-02-07 | 2023-04-04 | Michael D. Dwork | Lid |
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USD859936S1 (en) * | 2016-09-13 | 2019-09-17 | Snacktops, Inc. | Combined beverage lid and food container |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US10159367B2 (en) | 2018-12-25 |
US20180235387A9 (en) | 2018-08-23 |
US20160128502A1 (en) | 2016-05-12 |
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Legal Events
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Owner name: SNACKTOPS, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BUCK, RONALD MARK;REEL/FRAME:036431/0229 Effective date: 20150826 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BRIGHT LIGHT INVESTMENTS, LLC, CALIFORNIA Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SNACKTOPS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:042299/0937 Effective date: 20170427 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |