EP1415578A1

EP1415578A1 - Threaded straw

Info

Publication number: EP1415578A1
Application number: EP20030078365
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jacob Hovenkamp
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-29
Filing date: 2003-10-24
Publication date: 2004-05-06
Also published as: NL1021775C2

Abstract

A screw threaded straw is described with at least an internal or external screw thread at at least one end thereof. In particular, the straw has screw thread at both its ends, more in particular external screw thread at one end and internal screw thread at the other end.

A method is also described for the formation of a construction of such interconnected threaded straws, wherein the straws are connected together by their ends in that an end of the one straw having an external screw thread is turned into an end of the other straw having an internal screw thread, the diameters of the two straws being mutually matched such that said internal screw thread fits said external screw thread.

Straws according to the invention may be used for drinking at a greater distance, but also in technology and in the field of children's toys, as a lightweight and safe material for making various constructions.

Description

The present invention relates to a screw threaded straw. The invention also relates to a method of forming a construction of interconnected screw threaded straws.
Screw threaded straws, i.e. straws with a screw thread at approximately one third of the straw both at the inside and at the outside, i.e. both internally and externally, are well known. The possibility of providing a bend in such a straw gives flexibility to the straw and thus to the position of the straw with respect to the object from which it is possible to drink by means of the straw. The Netherlands Patent NL 1014764 describes such a straw, wherein the screw thread provided on the inside and outside of the straw is denoted the concertina portion. The cited patent publication further describes the provision of holes in the straws such that one straw can be inserted into the hole of another one. Such a construction, however, has the disadvantage that the angle enclosed by the one straw with the other one is fixed. Furthermore, this construction is not very sturdy because a straw inserted into a hole in another straw can easily become detached therefrom. The same is true for the reduction in diameter at one end of a straw such that the straw can be inserted therewith into the normal end of another straw.
The present invention provides a screw threaded straw of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph, wherein the straw comprises at least an internal or external screw thread at least at one of its ends. Preferably, the straw comprises at least screw thread at both its ends; more preferably the straw comprises an internal screw thread at one end and an external screw thread at its other end. Obviously, moreover, straws which have not only a screw thread at the end but also an internal and external concertina-type screw thread also fall within the scope of the invention.
The present invention further relates to a method of forming a construction or arrangement of interconnected screw threaded straws according to the invention, wherein the straws are connected to one another by their ends as desired in that an end of one straw is turned with its external screw thread into an end of another straw having an internal screw thread, the diameters of the straws being mutually matched such that said internal screw thread fits said external screw thread. The diameter of the straw having the internal screw thread will be smaller in situ than that of the straw having the externally threaded end. The use of straws having a screw thread at only one end, whereby the boundaries of the construction are defined, also constitutes an aspect of the present invention.
The possibility of constructing a flexible but stable assembly of a plurality of drinking straws in a simple manner, wherein the straws enclose different angles with one another, satisfies a demand in a number of fields. Firstly, there is the application for drinking: when straws can be interconnected, whether or not at different angles to one another, drinking through a straw from a greater distance also becomes possible. This may be used for patients who are confined to their beds, both in hospital and at home. Another possible use is found, for example, in the car, where a driver can drink from a cup next to him/her through one long assembly of several straws without taking his/her hands off the steering wheel. A further application is found in bars and restaurants where soft drinks, for example, or alternatively cocktails may be served with straws of different colors interconnected in accordance with the invention.
Furthermore, the straw according to the present invention may also be used in the field of children's toys as a lightweight and safe material for making various constructions. The use of the straw according to the invention and of assemblies thereof in the field of technology also forms an aspect of the present invention. Finally, the straw according to the present invention also forms a good base for making, for example, garlands for parties.
The material from which the straw according to the invention is made is not critical, but for ease of handling it is preferably a thin synthetic resin or cardboard. Although the term "drinking straw" primarily suggests a dimension of approximately 20 to 30 cm and a diameter of a few millimeters, neither the length nor the diameter of the straw are critical in respect of falling within the scope of protection of the invention.
The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying Figures showing a preferred embodiment, in which:
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a straw (1) with an internal screw thread (2) at one end, where the outer side is smooth, and an external screw thread at the other end (3), and
Fig. 2 is a front elevation of an assembly of the ends of two straws which fit into one another, with an internal screw thread (2) at the end of one straw, where the outer side is smooth, and an external screw thread (3) at the end of the other straw.
The Figures are diagrammatic and not drawn true to scale. In particular, some dimensions may have been exaggerated to a greater of lesser degree for the sake of clarity. Corresponding components have been given the same reference numerals as much as possible in the Figure.
A straw as depicted in Fig. 1 serves as an illustration of a straw whose mouthpiece has been internally threaded, while its other end has been externally threaded, which other end may be joined to a further straw.
Fig. 2 shows the area of connection between two straws according to the invention on an enlarged scale.
Although the invention was clarified with reference to only a single example, this by no means implies that the invention is limited thereto. Various alternative applications of the straw according to the invention also form part of the invention such as, for example, its use as a lightweight and flexible construction material.

Claims

A screw threaded straw, characterized in that said straw comprises a screw thread at least internally or externally at least at one of its ends.
A screw threaded straw according to in claim 1, characterized in that the straw has at least screw thread at both its ends.
A screw threaded straw according to in claim 2, characterized in that the straw has an internal screw thread at its one end and an external screw thread at its other end.
A method of forming a construction of interconnected screw threaded straws according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the straws are connected to one another by their ends as desired in that an end of one straw is turned with its external screw thread into an end of another straw having an internal screw thread, the diameters of the two straws being mutually matched such that said internal screw thread fits said external screw thread.