CN113395920B

CN113395920B - Beverage package

Info

Publication number: CN113395920B
Application number: CN201980089062.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: E·施瓦茨
Original assignee: Kepeili Sun Co ltd
Current assignee: Kepeili Sun Co ltd
Priority date: 2019-01-24
Filing date: 2019-12-12
Publication date: 2022-12-13
Anticipated expiration: 2039-12-12
Also published as: SA521422606B1; KR20210117312A; EP3685710A1; TW202028078A; US20220087457A1; EP3914130A1; CA3124601A1; MX2021008178A; CN113395920A; WO2020151874A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a beverage package for receiving a liquid product, comprising an insertion area into which a drinking straw (1, 12, 19, 28, 40, 70, 90, 94) is inserted and the drinking straw. The drinking straw comprises a tubular straw member (3, 14, 22, 30, 42, 71, 80) comprising a straw wall (4, 15, 23, 31, 43, 72, 85), an inlet (5, 16, 24, 32, 44, 73, 83) to be placed in the beverage package and an outlet (6, 74, 81) to be placed outside the beverage package. At least one locking hook (2, 13, 21, 27, 29, 41, 76, 87, 91) is provided on the outer surface of the straw wall, which is connected to the outer surface of the straw wall towards the inlet and is spaced apart from the outer surface of the straw wall towards the outlet, wherein the at least one locking hook is at a distance of maximally 30% of the length (l) of the drinking straw from the inlet along the longitudinal axis (8, 39, 48, 86) of the drinking straw.

Description

Beverage package

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a beverage package according to claim 1.

Background

EP 1431209B1 discloses a removal device for liquids in a flexible package, comprising a straw member comprising a mouth end and a bag end and a closure member formed by a truncated cone tapering towards the bag end. A ring is disposed between the mouth end and the blocking member, an annular surface of the ring facing the pocket end forming a stop. The distance between the stopper and the annular surface of the blocking member facing the mouth end is dimensioned such that a housing of a beverage bag, not shown, can be accommodated between the stopper and the annular surface.

Alternatively, on the sleeve housing the removal device, a plurality of individual locking webs (webs) may be distributed, the blocking members being located at the ends of the locking webs. The distance between the annular surface of the blocking member facing the mouth end and the stop is chosen such that the inner foil pressed sealingly against the straw member is not displaced in relation to the straw member when the removal device is pushed back and forth between these two surfaces. After emptying the beverage bag, the removal device may be pulled out of the bag.

Alternatively, the removal device may comprise a sleeve with two locking webs at the end facing the bag end, wherein the ring is formed adjacent to and above the locking webs, and the axially extending handle webs are distributed circumferentially above the ring.

Disclosure of Invention

Purpose(s) to

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a drinking straw and a beverage package enabling the drinking straw to remain in the beverage package.

Solution scheme

This object is solved by a beverage package according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments and further developments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

A beverage package for receiving a liquid product comprises an insertion area for inserting a drinking straw and a drinking straw. The drinking straw comprises a tubular straw member comprising a straw wall, an inlet to be placed into the beverage package and an outlet to be placed outside the beverage package. At least one catch is provided on the outer surface of the straw wall, the catch being connected to the outer surface of the straw wall towards the inlet and spaced from the outer surface of the straw wall towards the outlet. The at least one locking hook is at a distance of maximum 30% of the length of the drinking straw from the inlet opening along the longitudinal axis of the drinking straw.

The provision of at least one locking hook underneath the drinking straw prevents the drinking straw from being lost after it has been placed in the beverage package, but the drinking straw can still be moved up and down to a considerable extent, facilitating the removal of the liquid.

The locking hook may form an acute angle with the longitudinal axis.

The at least one locking hook may be arranged such that as the drinking straw is inserted through the insertion area, the locking hook may reversibly press against the straw wall, i.e. the straw member, when the drinking straw is inserted through the insertion area into the beverage package. There may be no or almost no distance between the at least one locking hook and the outer surface of the straw wall when passing through the insertion region.

After the at least one locking hook has passed through the insertion area, i.e. completely inside the beverage package, the at least one locking hook may return to its original position relative to the outer surface of the straw wall.

If an attempt is made to pull the drinking straw out of the beverage package after inserting the at least one locking hook into the beverage package, the at least one locking hook may interact with the inner surface of the beverage package in an area around the insertion area, such that the at least one locking hook is pressed against the inner surface due to pulling the straw. For example, the distance of the at least one locking hook from the outer surface of the suction pipe wall may be partially increased or kept constant. The at least one locking hook may function like a barb and may prevent the drinking straw from being pulled out of the beverage package again.

The at least one locking hook may be an extension of the suction tube wall. The locking hooks may be created by three-sided cuts in the straw wall, such that the straw wall may have an opening corresponding in size to the locking hooks; for example, if the surface of the locking hook is spread out as a plane, its shape may be rectangular or trapezoidal. Alternatively, the locking hooks may be created by making two-sided cuts in the straw wall, for example by placing the cutting means at an angle to the straw wall (e.g. at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis) and making a cut in the straw wall in the inlet direction. Thus, for example, the surface of the locking hook, if unfolded as a plane, may be triangular. If an attempt is made to pull the drinking straw out of the beverage package after insertion of the locking hook produced by the double-edged cut in the straw wall into the beverage package, the locking hook can interact with the inner surface of the beverage package in the area around the insertion area, so that the locking hook is pressed against the inner surface of the beverage package as a result of the pulling of the drinking straw, so that an area of the drinking straw is kinked downwards, i.e. towards the inlet (kink). The drinking straw protruding from the beverage package, the kink and the locking hook form a T-shape which effectively prevents the drinking straw from being pulled out.

Preferably, the opening and thus the locking hook in the various embodiments are dimensioned such that the liquid outlet from the interior of the straw member through the opening does not negatively affect the function of the drinking straw. In the above embodiment, the locking hook may be connected to the suction pipe wall on one side of the opening (the fourth side of the rectangle or trapezoid or the third side of the triangle). For example, the end of the locking hook directed towards the outlet may additionally comprise a bend away from the longitudinal axis (e.g. a claw-like bend), while the rest of the locking hook for example does not comprise such a bend.

The at least one locking hook may be an element inserted and fastened into a cut-out of the suction pipe wall. An acute angle may be formed between the locking hook and the longitudinal axis. The cut-out in the suction tube wall may extend transversely, e.g. perpendicularly, to the longitudinal direction of the drinking straw, i.e. e.g. along a circumferential area of the suction tube wall.

The element may comprise a first portion extending into the interior region of the straw member and a second portion extending outside the straw member, e.g. the first portion may comprise a cut-out adapted to allow liquid to pass in the interior region of the straw member. An acute angle may be formed between the locking hook and the longitudinal axis. The fact that the locking hook extends inside the straw member improves the stability of the locking hook in bending when trying to pull the drinking straw out of the beverage package again.

The at least one locking hook may include: a first portion securable to an outer surface of the suction tube wall; and a second portion of the locking hook, which may extend from the first portion, may be spaced from the outer surface of the suction pipe wall toward the outlet. An acute angle may be formed between the locking hook and the longitudinal axis. The locking hook can be fixed to the outer surface in a simple manner.

The first portion may begin at the inlet and extend from the inlet toward the outlet. For example, the first portion may start at the insertion tip of the inlet.

The inlet may comprise an insertion tip.

The at least one locking hook may be produced, for example, using an injection molding method independently of the straw member. The locking hooks may then be fastened to the straw member in a suitable manner, or inserted into the straw member and then fastened, for example using a liquid-resistant adhesive, for example by clamping, welding or press sealing. The clamping may also be performed without the use of a liquid resistant adhesive.

The drinking straw or straw member may be produced by injection moulding. Thus, the straw member and the locking hook or hooks may be made in one piece. The straw member and the locking hook or hooks may also be manufactured separately. In the case of separate production, the locking hook or hooks may be at least partially connected to the straw member by clamping, welding or press sealing.

The cross-section of the straw member may be circular, oval, triangular or square.

The cross-section of the insertion region and the cross-section of the straw member may be similar, taking into account the wall thickness of the straw wall; the cross-section of the insertion region is 1% to 100% (or even 30% to 70%) larger than the cross-section of the straw member, taking into account the wall thickness of the straw wall. Considering the wall thickness means that the wall cross section is added to the inner cross section of the straw member. In the case of a circular inner cross section of the suction tube member, the wall cross section of the circular ring may have a ring width corresponding to the wall thickness.

The insertion region may be surrounded by the reinforcement portion. Thus, the access insertion area may be protected from tearing when trying to pull the drinking straw out of the beverage package again.

The beverage package may be designed as a beverage carton, a foil bag or a free-standing bag.

Drawings

The drawings are exemplary for a better understanding and description of the aspects and embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1A shows a schematic view of a beverage package inserted into a drinking straw,

figure 1B shows a schematic view of a foil pouch inserted into a drinking straw,

figure 1C shows a schematic oblique view of a first embodiment of a drinking straw with locking hooks,

figure 1D shows a schematic oblique view from the front of the insertion tip area of the drinking straw,

figure 1E shows a schematic view from behind the area of the insertion tip of the drinking straw,

fig. 1F schematically shows how, when an attempt is made to remove the drinking straw from the beverage package in fig. 1A, the locking hook is deformed,

fig. 1G schematically shows how the locking hooks are deformed when attempting to remove the drinking straw from the foil pouch of fig. 1B,

figure 2 shows the area of the drinking straw where the locking hooks can be provided,

figure 3 shows a schematic oblique view of a second embodiment of a drinking straw with two locking hooks,

figure 4A shows a schematic view from the front of the area of the insertion tip of a third embodiment of a drinking straw with locking hooks,

figure 4B shows a schematic oblique view of the insertion tip region of the drinking straw of figure 4A,

FIG. 5 shows a schematic oblique view of a fourth embodiment of a drinking straw with two locking hooks, an

Figure 6A shows a schematic oblique view of a fifth embodiment of a drinking straw with two locking hooks,

figure 6B schematically shows how the two locking hooks are deformed when attempting to remove the drinking straw of figure 6A from the beverage package,

figure 6C schematically shows how the two locking hooks are deformed when attempting to remove the drinking straw of figure 6A from the foil pouch,

figure 7A shows a schematic oblique view of a sixth embodiment of a drinking straw with locking hooks,

figure 7B schematically shows how the locking hook is deformed when an attempt is made to remove the drinking straw of figure 7A from the beverage package,

figure 7C schematically shows how the locking hook is deformed when an attempt is made to remove the drinking straw of figure 7A from the foil pouch,

figure 8A schematically shows a tubular straw member on which a locking hook may be provided,

figure 8B schematically shows a first embodiment of a locking hook produced by injection moulding,

figure 8C shows the locking hook of figure 8B arranged on the straw member of figure 8A,

figure 8D schematically shows a second embodiment of the locking hook produced by injection moulding,

FIG. 8E shows the locking hook of FIG. 8D disposed on the straw member of FIG. 8A.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1A shows an oblique view of the beverage container 51 from above, which is shown with the front removed for clarity, so that the inserted drinking straw 1 of the first embodiment (see also fig. 1C) is visible. An insertion device 53 with a first cross section 54 is arranged on the upper side 52 of the beverage container 51, into which beverage container 51 a drinking straw 1 with a second cross section 7, also referred to simply as cross section 7, is inserted. The first cross section 54 is similar (in a mathematical sense) to the second cross section 7, i.e. both cross sections 7, 54 have the same shape, but the first cross section 54 is larger than the second cross section 7. However, the first cross section and the second cross section may also have the same dimensions.

In the first embodiment, the drinking straw 1 comprises a locking hook 2 and a tubular straw member 3, the tubular straw member 3 comprising a straw wall 4, an inlet opening 5 to be placed in the beverage package and an outlet opening 6 to be placed outside the beverage package. In the illustration, the straw member 3 has a circular cross-section 7.

The insertion region 53 is surrounded by a reinforcement part 55, the reinforcement part 55 being designed here as an annular ring and extending from the insertion region over an annular width.

Fig. 1B shows a schematic view of a foil pouch 64 with an inserted drinking straw 1 of the first embodiment (see also fig. 1C). On one side of the pocket 65, there is an insertion device 66, the insertion device 66 having a first cross section 67, into which first cross section 67 a drinking straw 1 having a second cross section 7 (also referred to simply as cross section 7) is inserted. The first cross section 67 is similar (in a mathematical sense) to the second cross section 7, i.e. both cross sections 7, 67 have the same shape, wherein the first cross section 67 is larger than the second cross section 7. The insertion region 66 is surrounded by a reinforcement 68, the reinforcement 68 being formed here as a circular ring and extending from the insertion region over a circular width. However, the first and second cross-sections may also have the same dimensions.

Fig. 1C shows a schematic oblique view of the first embodiment of the drinking straw 1 with the locking hook 2. The latching hook 2 is produced by a three-sided cut-out in the suction tube wall 4, so that the suction tube wall 4 has an opening 9 corresponding dimensionally to the latching hook 2. On one edge 10 of the opening 9, the locking hook 2 is still connected to the suction tube wall 4. The locking hook 2 can be regarded as an extension (spread-off part) of the suction pipe wall 4.

The locking hook 2 is arranged on the outer surface of the suction pipe wall 4. In the direction of the inlet 5 the locking hook 2 is connected to the outer surface of the suction pipe wall 4 and in the direction of the outlet 6 the distance between the locking hook 2 and the outer surface of the suction pipe wall 4 is larger and larger.

The distance d of the locking hook 2 from the inlet opening 5 along the longitudinal axis 8 of the drinking straw 1 is maximally 30% of the length l of the drinking straw 1. The drinking straw 1 shown comprises an insertion tip 11.

Fig. 1D shows a schematic oblique view from the front of a part of the insertion tip 11 of the drinking straw 1, and fig. 1E shows a schematic view from the rear of the above-mentioned part of the insertion tip 11 of the drinking straw 1.

Fig. 1F shows how the locking hook 2 of the drinking straw 1 may deform if an attempt is made to remove the drinking straw 1 from the beverage package 51. If, after insertion of the locking hook 2 into the drink package 51, an attempt is made to pull the drinking straw 1 out of the drink package 51, the locking hook 2 interacts with the inner surface 56 of the drink package 51 in the area around the insertion area 53, so that by pulling the drinking straw 1 the locking hook 2 is pressed against the inner surface 56, whereby the distance of the locking hook 2 from the outer surface of the straw wall 4 increases locally. This local enlargement of the distance occurs at the portion of the locking hook 2 not connected to the outer surface of the suction pipe wall 4. Thus, the locking hooks 2 may spread outwardly from the outer surface of the straw wall 4 and function like barbs, and may prevent the drinking straw 1 from being pulled out again from the beverage package 51.

Fig. 1G shows how the locking hook 2 of the drinking straw 1 may deform when attempting to remove the drinking straw 1 from the foil pouch 64. If an attempt is made to pull the drinking straw 1 out of the foil pouch 64 after the locking hook 2 has been inserted into the foil pouch 64, the locking hook 2 interacts with the inner surface 69 of the foil pouch 64 in the area around the insertion area 66, so that by pulling of the drinking straw 1 the locking hook 2 is pressed against the inner surface 69, whereby the distance of the locking hook 2 from the outer surface of the straw wall 4 increases locally. This local enlargement of the distance occurs at the portion of the locking hook 2 not connected to the outer surface of the suction pipe wall 4. The locking hooks 2 can thus spread from the outer surface of the straw wall 4 and function like barbs and can prevent the drinking straw 1 from being pulled out of the foil pouch 64 again. Typically, the at least one locking hook of the different drinking straw embodiments is at a distance of maximum 30% of the drinking straw length from the inlet opening along the longitudinal axis of the drinking straw.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a drinking straw 57, the inlet 58 of which has an insertion tip 59. The drinking straw 57 has a length l1 from the insertion tip 59 to the outlet 60. The area on the suction pipe wall 61 is shaded and extends on the side surface having a height of 0% of the length l1 to 30% of the length l1. For example, it may be provided that the drinking straw is cut through the area of the locking hook furthest from the inlet opening (e.g. the edge of the locking hook or the tip of the locking hook) and perpendicular to the plane of the longitudinal axis 62 at a height h from the insertion tip 59 which is less than or equal to 30% of the length l1. Alternatively, it may be provided that a plane passing through the area where the locking hook 63 starts to protrude from the outer surface of the straw wall 61 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 62 intersects the drinking straw at a height h1 less than or equal to 30% of the length l1 from the insertion tip 59.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic oblique view of a second embodiment of a drinking straw 12 with two locking hooks 13. The drinking straw 12 is arranged for beverage packaging and comprises a tubular straw member 14, the tubular straw member 14 comprising a straw wall 15, an inlet 16 to be placed in the beverage packaging and an outlet (not shown) to be placed outside the beverage packaging. In the illustration, the straw member 14 illustratively has a circular cross-section 95.

The two locking hooks 13 are arranged opposite each other and each comprise a first portion 17 fixed to the outer surface of the suction pipe wall 15 and a second portion 18 of the locking hook 13 extends from the first portion 17, the distance of the second portion 18 from the outer surface of the suction pipe wall 15 increasing towards the outlet. The first portion 17 extends from the inlet 16 towards the outlet and the second portion 18 extends from the end of the first portion 17 furthest from the inlet 16 towards the outlet. Thus, the locking hook 13 can be considered as a separate element of the straw member 14, which is glued to the straw wall 15, for example with the first portion 17, or fastened to the straw wall 15 in another liquid-resistant manner, for example by welding or pressure sealing.

Fig. 4A shows a schematic view from the front of the area of the insertion tip 20 of the third embodiment of the drinking straw 19 with the locking hook 21. The drinking straw 19 is arranged for beverage packages and comprises a tubular straw member 22, the tubular straw member 22 comprising a straw wall 23, an inlet 24 to be placed in a beverage package and an outlet (not shown) to be placed outside the beverage package. In the illustration, straw member 22 illustratively has a circular cross-section 25.

The locking hook 21 comprises a first portion 26 attached to the outer surface of the suction pipe wall 23, and a second portion 27 of the locking hook 21 extends from the first portion 26, the distance of the second portion 27 from the outer surface of the suction pipe wall 23 increasing towards the outlet. The first portion 26 extends from the insertion tip 20 towards the outlet and the second portion 27 extends from the end of the first portion 26 furthest from the insertion tip 20 towards the outlet. Thus, the locking hook 21 may be considered as a separate element of the straw member 22, which is glued to the straw wall 23, for example with the first portion 26, or fastened to the straw wall 23 in another liquid-resistant manner, for example by welding or pressure sealing.

Fig. 4B shows a schematic oblique view of the region of the insertion tip 20 of the drinking straw 19 of fig. 4A.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic oblique view of a fourth embodiment of a drinking straw 28 with two locking hooks 29. The drinking straw 28 is arranged for beverage packaging and comprises a tubular straw member 30, the tubular straw member 30 comprising a straw wall 31, an inlet 32 to be placed in the beverage packaging and an outlet (not shown) to be placed outside the beverage packaging. In the illustration, straw member 30 has an exemplary circular cross-section 33 and insertion tip 34.

The two locking hooks 29 are arranged opposite each other and each comprise a first portion 35 arranged inside the straw member 30 and extending substantially to the longitudinal axis 39 and a second portion 36 arranged outside the straw member 30. The locking hook 29 is inserted with the first part 35 inside the straw member 30 through a cut 38 in the straw wall 31 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 39 of the drinking straw 28, in such a way that the first part 35 is directed towards the inlet 32 and the second part 36 is directed towards the outlet. The locking hook 29 and the longitudinal axis 39 enclose an acute angle therebetween. In the area around the cut-out 38, an adhesive may be applied to connect the locking hook 29 with the straw member 30.

The first part 35 has a recess 37 at the end facing the inlet 32, the recess 37 being formed, for example, semi-circularly in such a way that liquid can be transported through the interior of the straw member 30 despite the insertion of the two locking hooks 29 into the straw member 30.

Fig. 6A shows a schematic oblique view of a fifth embodiment of a drinking straw 40 with two locking hooks 41. The drinking straw 40 is arranged for a beverage package and comprises a tubular straw member 42, the tubular straw member 42 comprising a straw wall 43, an inlet 44 to be placed in the beverage package and an outlet (not shown) to be placed outside the beverage package. In the illustration, the straw member 42 illustratively has a circular cross-section 45 and an insertion tip 46.

The two locking hooks 41 are arranged opposite each other and each comprise a first portion 47 and a second portion 49, the first portion 47 being arranged inside the straw member 42 and not extending to the longitudinal axis 48, but for example the smallest distance to the longitudinal axis corresponds to half the radius of the drinking straw 40, and the second portion 49 being arranged outside the straw member 43. The locking hook 41 is inserted with the first portion 47 inserted into the interior of the straw member 42 through a cut-out 50 in the straw wall 43 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 45 of the drinking straw 40, in such a way that the first portion 47 is directed towards the inlet 44 and the second portion 49 is directed towards the outlet. The locking hook 41 and the longitudinal axis 45 form an acute angle therebetween. In the area around the cut-out 50, an adhesive may be applied to connect the locking hook 41 to the straw member 42.

Since the two first portions 47 are separated from the longitudinal axis 45, liquid can be transported through the interior of the straw member 42.

Fig. 6B shows how the two locking hooks 41 of the drinking straw 40 of the fifth embodiment may deform if an attempt is made to remove the drinking straw 40 from the beverage package 51. When attempting to pull the drinking straw 40 out of the beverage package 51 after insertion of the locking hooks 41 into the beverage package 51, the locking hooks 41 each interact with the inner surface 56 of the beverage package 51 in the area around the insertion area 53, so that the locking hooks 41 are pressed against the inner surface 56 by the pulling of the drinking straw 40, whereby the distance of the second portion 49 of the locking hooks 41 from the outer surface of the straw wall 43 is partly increased. This partial increase in distance occurs where the second portion 49 of the locking hook 41 is not attached to the outer surface of the suction pipe wall 43. The locking hooks 41 can thus spread outwardly from the outer surface of the straw wall 43 and function like barbs, preventing the drinking straw 40 from being pulled out of the beverage package 51 again. The first portion 47 of the locking hook 41 arranged inside the straw member 42 may retain its shape, i.e. the shape of the first portion is not influenced by the interaction of the second portion 49 with the inner surface 56 of the beverage package 51.

Fig. 6C shows how the two locking hooks 41 of the drinking straw 40 of the fifth embodiment may deform if an attempt is made to remove the drinking straw 40 from the foil pouch 64. If an attempt is made to pull the drinking straw 40 out of the foil pouch 64 after insertion of the locking hooks 41 into the foil pouch 64, the locking hooks 41 each interact with the inner surface 69 of the foil pouch 64 in an area around the insertion area 66, so that the locking hooks 41 are pressed against the inner surface 69 by the pulling of the drinking straw 40, whereby the distance of the second portions 49 of the locking hooks 41 from the outer surface of the straw wall 43 increases partly. This partial increase in the distance occurs where the second portion 49 of the locking hook 41 is not attached to the outer surface of the suction pipe wall 43. Thus, the locking hooks 41 may spread outwardly from the outer surface of the straw wall 43 and thereby function like barbs, and may prevent the drinking straw 40 from being pulled out of the foil pouch 64 again. The first portion 47 of the locking hook 41 arranged inside the straw member 42 may retain its shape, i.e. the shape of the first portion is not influenced by the interaction of the second portion 49 with the inner surface 69 of the foil pouch 64.

Fig. 7A shows a schematic oblique view of a sixth embodiment of a drinking straw 70 with a locking hook 76. The drinking straw 70 comprises a tubular straw member 71, said tubular straw member 71 comprising a cross section 75, locking hooks 76 being created by two side cuts in the straw wall 72, such that the straw wall 72 has an opening 77 corresponding to the size of the locking hooks 76. The two-sided cutting of the locking hook 76 may be performed by a cutting process in which a knife or blade or other cutting tool is beveled into the drinking straw 70 relative to the longitudinal axis of the drinking straw 70, cutting through the straw wall 72 on both sides of the locking hook. On one edge of the opening 77, the locking hook 76 remains attached to the suction tube wall 72. The locking hook 76 may be considered to be a flared portion of the suction tube wall 72. The locking hook 76 comprises a tip 78, the tip 78 may for example additionally comprise a curvature away from the longitudinal axis of the drinking straw, while for example the rest of the locking hook 76 does not comprise such a curvature.

The locking hooks 76 are provided on the outer surface of the suction pipe wall 72. Towards the inlet 73, a locking hook 76 is attached to the outer surface of the suction pipe wall 72, and towards the outlet 74, an increase in the distance of the locking hook 76 from the outer surface of the suction pipe wall 72 is visible.

An advantage of such a locking hook 76, as shown in fig. 7A, is that it can be elastically deformed inwards in the direction of the centre of the drinking straw when the drinking straw is inserted into the beverage package, so that the insertion process is not hindered. This is in particular due to the fact that the shape of the opening 77 corresponds to the locking hook 76 so that the locking hook can be pressed completely elastically into the opening. Once the latching hooks 76 are fully inside the beverage package, the latching hooks can again be elastically deformed outwards.

The distance of the locking hook 76 from the inlet 73 along the longitudinal axis of the drinking straw 70 is maximally 30% of the length of the drinking straw 70. The illustrated drinking straw 70 includes an insertion tip 79.

Fig. 7B schematically shows how the locking hook 76 may be deformed when an attempt is made to remove the drinking straw 70 from the beverage package 51. If an attempt is made to remove the drinking straw 70 from the beverage package 51 after the insertion of the locking hook 76 into the beverage package 51, the locking hook 76 interacts with the inner surface 56 of the beverage package 51 in the area around the insertion area 53, so that the locking hook 76 is pressed against the inner surface 56 by the pulling of the drinking straw 70, whereby an area of the drinking straw 70 is kinked downwards, i.e. towards the inlet 73. The locking hooks 76 may thus expand from the outer surface of the straw wall 72 and function like barbs, and may prevent the drinking straw 70 from being pulled out of the beverage package 51 again. Since the bending and locking hooks of the drinking straw rest on different sides of the insertion area against the inner surface of the beverage package, while the rest of the drinking straw protrudes from the insertion area and thus from the beverage package, the drinking straw 70 assumes a T-shape which effectively prevents the drinking straw from being pulled out.

Fig. 7C shows how the locking hook 76 of the drinking straw 70 may deform when an attempt is made to remove the drinking straw 70 from the foil pouch 64. If an attempt is made to pull the drinking straw 70 out of the foil pouch 64 after insertion of the locking hooks 76 into the foil pouch 64, the locking hooks 76 interact with the inner surface 69 of the foil pouch 64 in the area around the insertion area 66, so that the locking hooks 76 are pressed against the inner surface 69 by the pulling of the drinking straw 70, whereby an area of the drinking straw 70 is bent downwards, i.e. towards the inlet opening 73. Thus, the locking hooks 76 may spread outwardly from the outer surface of the straw wall 72 and function like barbs, and may prevent the straw 70 from being pulled out of the foil pouch 64 again. Figure 8A schematically illustrates a tubular straw member 80, on which locking hooks may be arranged. The straw member 80 comprises a straw wall 85, an inlet 83 to be placed in the beverage package with an inlet tip 84, and an outlet 81 to be placed outside the beverage package. The illustrated straw member 80 has a circular cross-section 82, the cross-section 82 having a diameter and a longitudinal axis 86. This longitudinal axis 86 is also seen in fig. 8B and 8D to illustrate a locking hook that may be configured on the straw member 80.

Fig. 8B schematically shows a first embodiment of the injection-molded locking hook 87. The locking hook 87 includes: a first portion 88, here formed as an example of an annular ring-shaped surface having an inner diameter equal to the outer diameter of the suction pipe member 80 or at most 10% smaller than the outer diameter of the suction pipe member 80; a second portion 89 extending from the first portion 88 away from the longitudinal axis 86. Due to the difference in diameter, the locking hook can be elastically clamped to the surface of the straw member 80. The inner diameter of the annular surface may also be at most 1% or 5% larger than the outer diameter of the straw member, and therefore the locking hook must then be connected to the drinking straw by additional measures, such as welding, press sealing or gluing. The first portion 88 is designed so as to surround more than half of the circumference of the suction pipe member 80; in this way, the locking hook 87 can be clipped onto the straw member 80. The second part 89 is for example wing shaped, but may also be other forms of locking hooks, such as any form of barb. The advantage of the wing-like design is that when the drinking straw is inserted into the beverage package, the drinking straw is placed against the wall of the drinking straw, making it easy to insert the drinking straw into the beverage package.

Fig. 8C shows a drinking straw 90 having the locking hook 87 of fig. 8B disposed on the straw member 80 of fig. 8A. The first portion 88 may be used to clamp the locking hook 87 to the straw member. Liquid resistant adhesives may also be used. The locking hook 87 may then alternatively be welded or press sealed to the straw member 80. In other embodiments, more than one locking hook 87 may be provided on the straw member 80.

Fig. 8D schematically shows a second embodiment of the injection-molded locking hook 91. The locking hook 91 comprises a first portion 92, the first portion 92 being arranged to be welded or press-sealed to the outer surface of the straw wall 85 using, for example, a liquid resistant adhesive. In the illustration, the first portion 92 is designed such that it encompasses less than half of the circumference of the straw member 80; therefore, it is impossible to clamp the first portion 92 to the straw member 80. The locking hook 91 includes a second portion 93 extending from the first portion 92 away from the longitudinal axis 86. The second portion 93 is wing shaped.

Fig. 8E shows a drinking straw 94 with the locking hook 91 of fig. 8D arranged on the straw member 80 of fig. 8A. The first portion 92 of the locking hook 91 may be attached to the outer surface of the suction tube wall 85 by welding or pressure sealing.

In other embodiments, more than one locking hook 91 may be provided on the straw member 80. The straw member 80 may also be provided with one or more locking hooks 87 of the first embodiment and one or more locking hooks 91 of the second embodiment.

Also suitable for locking hooks produced by injection moulding methods are those which are at a distance of maximally 30% of the length of the straw member 80 from the inlet 83 along the longitudinal axis 86 of the straw member 80. The length of the straw member 80 and the length of the drinking straw comprising the straw member 80 and the one or more locking hooks correspond to each other, i.e. the straw member 80 and the drinking straw have equal dimensions.

Claims

1. Beverage package for receiving a liquid product, wherein the beverage package (51) comprises an insertion area (53) for inserting a drinking straw (70) and the drinking straw (70),

wherein the drinking straw (70) comprises a tubular straw member (71), the tubular straw member (71) comprising a straw wall (72), an inlet opening (73) to be placed into the beverage package (51) and an outlet opening (74) to be placed outside the beverage package (51),

wherein the outer surface of the suction pipe wall (72) is provided with at least one locking hook (76) connected to the outer surface of the suction pipe wall (72) towards the inlet (73) and spaced apart from the outer surface of the suction pipe wall (72) towards the outlet (74),

the method is characterized in that:

the at least one locking hook (76) is spaced apart from the inlet opening (73) along the longitudinal axis of the drinking straw (70) by a distance of at most 30% of the length of the drinking straw (70),

the at least one locking hook (76) is produced by a two-sided cut-out in the suction tube wall (72).

2. A beverage package according to claim 1, wherein for creating the two-sided cut, a cutting device is placed at an angle to the suction tube wall (72) and cuts on the suction tube wall (72) in the direction of the inlet opening (73).

3. Beverage package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drinking straw (70) and the beverage package (51) are formed in such a way that the locking hook (76) is fully inserted into the beverage package (51) in such a way that, when an attempt is made to pull the drinking straw (70) out of the beverage package (51), a deformation of the locking hook is achieved so as to prevent the drinking straw (70) from being pulled out.

4. A beverage package according to claim 3, the locking hook (76) being deformed by kinking the end of the drinking straw provided at the inlet (73) of the drinking straw (70) when attempting to pull the drinking straw (70) out of the beverage package (51).

5. The beverage package according to claim 1, said inlet (73) comprising an insertion tip (79).

6. Beverage package according to claim 1, the drinking straw (70) being manufactured by injection moulding.

7. A beverage package according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section (75) of the tubular straw member (71) is circular, oval, triangular or square.

8. A beverage package according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section (54) of the insertion region (53) is of the same size as the cross-section (75) of the tubular straw member (71) taking into account the wall thickness of the straw wall (72).

9. A beverage package according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section (54) of the insertion region (53) is 1-100% larger than the cross-section (75) of the tubular straw member (71) in view of the wall thickness of the straw wall (72).

10. A beverage package according to claim 9, wherein the cross-section (54) of the insertion region (53) is 30-70% larger than the cross-section (75) of the tubular straw member (71) in view of the wall thickness of the straw wall (72).

11. A beverage package according to claim 1, wherein the insertion area (53) is surrounded by a reinforcement portion (55).

12. Beverage package according to claim 1, the beverage package (51) being formed as a beverage carton, a foil bag or a stand-up pouch.