EP3868260B1 - Device for holding straws - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for holding drinking straws, especially when cleaning in a dishwasher. The invention further relates to a cleaning set for drinking straws.

A device for holding drinking straws made of glass, plastic or metal when cleaning in a dishwasher is, for example, from DE 20 2019 104 788 U1 known. The known device comprises a frame-like main part made of plastic, with a fastening element, in particular in the form of a fastening hook, being formed on the main part in order to fasten the entire device to a dishwasher basket.

A simple device for manually cleaning drinking straws is available US 2017/0216890 A1 disclosed.

The US 2014/0014605 A1 discloses a basket made of plastic and intended for insertion into a dishwasher, which can hold, for example, drinking bottles for babies or drinking straws. The basket includes two smaller basket elements that can be inserted into a larger basket element like drawers. The smaller basket elements are designed in such a way that when they are partially pulled out of the larger basket element, they are suitable for inserting drinking straws that need to be cleaned. For this purpose, the smaller basket elements can have support elements arranged at different heights, which hold the drinking straws to be cleaned in a vertical orientation. The uppermost of three support elements can be formed by a grid, which also represents a covering element of the basket element. In contrast, there are strip-shaped support elements in two lower levels. Each of the support elements has a number of grooves that enable the insertion of a drinking straw, the grooves of the top and bottom support elements being open towards a first side, whereas the grooves of the middle support element are open to the first side are open on the opposite side, so that overall the drinking straws are held in a stable manner.

Another dishwasher insert, which is intended, among other things, to hold drinking straws, is in the US 2006/0065666 A1 described. In this case, there are strips with openings, which enable drinking straws to be inserted, on the side of a basket, which is also intended to hold several bottles arranged upright.

The US 4,124,122 A discloses a rack for holding test tubes. The test tubes are held by plates which are arranged in mutually parallel horizontal planes and have openings. The panels have an elongated rectangular basic shape, with their narrow sides connected to each other by vertical side walls. The side walls have grooves into which the plates are inserted.

The invention is based on the object of providing a device for holding drinking straws that is further developed compared to the prior art, can be handled easily and safely, and is designed to be particularly advantageous in terms of production technology, in particular when cleaning in a dishwasher.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a holding device for drinking straws with the features of claim 1. The object is also achieved by a cleaning set for cleaning drinking straws according to claim 10.

• das Untergestell ein unteres Haltegitter mit einer Vielzahl an jeweils zur Halterung eines Trinkhalmes vorgesehenen unteren Aufnahmen aufweist,
• das Deckelelement ein oberes Haltegitter mit entsprechend der Anordnung der unteren Aufnahmen positionierten, spiegelsymmetrisch zu den unteren Aufnahmen ausgebildeten oberen Aufnahmen aufweist, wobei sich die Spiegelsymmetrie auf eine Ebene bezieht, welche sich - typischerweise in horizontaler Ausrichtung - zwischen dem Untergestell und dem Deckelelement befindet,
• ein mittleres Haltegitter mit einer Vielzahl mit den unteren Aufnahmen sowie den oberen Aufnahmen fluchtender mittleren Aufnahmen vorhanden ist,
• an das untere Haltegitter sowie an das obere Haltegitter Seitenteile anschließen, welche in jedem Fall, das heißt sowohl im Fall des Untergestells als auch im Fall des Deckelelementes, in Form eines zur Verbindung mit dem mittleren Haltegitter vorgesehenen Verbindungsrahmens abschließen,
• Verbindungsmittel, insbesondere Rastverbindungen, zur lösbaren Befestigung des mindestens einen Verbindungsrahmens auf dem mittleren Haltegitter vorhanden sind.

The holding device is constructed from a base frame and a cover element placed directly or indirectly on it, whereby

• the base frame has a lower holding grid with a large number of lower receptacles each provided for holding a drinking straw,
• the cover element has an upper holding grid with upper receptacles positioned in accordance with the arrangement of the lower receptacles and designed to be mirror-symmetrical to the lower receptacles, the mirror symmetry relating to a plane which is located - typically in a horizontal orientation - between the base frame and the cover element,
• there is a middle holding grid with a large number of middle recordings aligned with the lower recordings and the upper recordings,
• connect side parts to the lower holding grille and to the upper holding grille, which in each case, i.e. both in the case of the base frame and in the case of the cover element, terminate in the form of a connecting frame intended for connection to the middle holding grille,
• Connecting means, in particular locking connections, are present for releasably fastening the at least one connecting frame on the central holding grid.

In addition to the holding device, the cleaning set includes a brush arrangement which has a number of individually replaceable individual brushes corresponding to the number of drinking straws that can be inserted into the holding device, the arrangement of which is coordinated with the arrangement of the drinking straws in the holding device.

The drinking straws, which can be accommodated in the holding device, that is, inserted, can be made from any materials, for example stainless steel, silicone, plastic or natural materials, for example plant material. The holder device is particularly suitable for glass drinking straws. Typically these are straight drinking straws. Depending on the design of the holding device, use with angled drinking straws can also be considered.

In contrast to conventional devices, which are intended exclusively for holding drinking straws in a dishwasher, the one according to the invention Holder device also suitable for storing drinking straws and for keeping them ready to hand, for example in a bar.

According to an unclaimed modification, the base frame and the cover element can be used to divide the holding device into two parts, in which case the middle holding grid preferably represents a component of the base frame. Here, the lower holding grille can be connected to the middle holding grille by lower side parts, whereas the upper holding grille is connected to upper side parts, on the lower edges of which a connecting frame is formed which is to be coupled to the middle holding grille by means of a snap-in connection.

The geometric design of the cover element is preferably adapted to the geometric design of the base frame, with the base frame being able to be higher than the cover element, particularly in embodiments with an integrated central holding grid. If the base frame of the holding device is already higher than the cover element without a middle holding grid, the central plane, with respect to which the lower receptacles and the upper receptacles are designed to be mirror-symmetrical to one another, is located parallel below that of the middle holding grid.

Preferably, the lower receptacles, like the upper receptacles, are designed to be funnel-shaped, whereby a funnel shape can be given on both end faces of the receptacles. In particular, the upper and lower receptacles can be designed identically. This design allows a particularly large amount of liquid to be introduced into the drinking straws during the rinsing process. In addition, the entire holding device can be turned upside down without drinking straws falling out.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the funnel walls of the upper receptacles and the lower receptacles are segmented, so that several free flow cross sections are formed directly on the outer peripheral surface of each drinking straw by the said receptacles.

In a preferred embodiment, the middle receptacles, which can optionally be assigned to the base frame, are each designed as a ring that is segmented at least on the inside, so that several free flow cross sections are formed by each middle receptacle on the outer surface of each drinking straw.

According to a possible embodiment, there are support feet on the underside of the lower holding grid, which ensure that the lower receptacles remain spaced from this surface when the holding device is placed on a flat surface. This means that even after the holding device has been removed from a dishwasher, water can drip from the drinking straws and the components of the holding device. The entire holding device or its support can be placed in a tub or “vase”. When the lid element is removed, the individual drinking straws can be easily pulled out of the base frame.

During typical use of the holding device, the cover element is used on the one hand during the cleaning process and on the other hand when storing the holding device including drinking straws. Alternatively, according to an unclaimed application, or in addition to locking connections, which produce stable connections between the cover element and the base frame including the central holding grid, clamping connections without locking means can also be considered.

The lower holding grid, optionally with feet, and the upper holding grid are preferably shaped in such a way that several similar holding devices can be stacked on top of each other. The holding grilles can be constructed in one or more parts. In particular, each holding grid can have a separate holding frame, the basic shape of which corresponds to the connecting frame, which is located on the underside of the cover element. There are no theoretical restrictions with regard to the cross-sectional shape of the holding grid and thus the entire holding device. For example, the holding grids are rectangular, in particular square, or circular in shape. A round, cylindrical shape of the holding device is particularly important from the point of view of hygiene and Cleaning options are advantageous as there are no corners where dirt could collect or washing liquid could remain.

The free cross section of each holding grid preferably corresponds to at least 55% of the total cross-sectional area of the holding grid. In comparison to the holding grids, the side parts in a preferred embodiment have an even larger proportion of free cross section, which in particular enables liquid to flow through. Preferably, the free cross section of each side part corresponds to at least 75% of the total cross-sectional area of the side part.

Overall, the holding device is suitable, for example, for holding at least six drinking straws, in particular at least 25 drinking straws, for example 27 or 37 drinking straws. The length of the drinking straws to be accommodated is less than the total height of the holding device. When handling the holding device manually, touching the drinking straws is avoided. The holding device therefore also offers advantages over conventional solutions from a hygienic point of view.

According to the invention, the base frame and the cover element are identically shaped. In this case, the middle holding grid is designed as a separate middle part that can be detached from both the base frame and the cover element via a snap connection. Identical connection contours of the base frame and the cover element, which enable several holding devices to be stacked on top of one another, have, for example, interlocking projections and recesses within a stack. Locking elements are each integrally formed on both the base frame and the cover element, which are provided for interaction with counter contours arranged offset from one another on the edge of the central holding grid in the longitudinal direction of the edge.

Optionally, the holding device includes a hood, which is suitable for placing on the base frame. A cover plate that sits on the base frame - with it removed Lid element - attached hood can be arranged with a small distance or no distance above the middle holding grid, with openings in the cover plate of the hood being located directly above the middle receptacles, so that the drinking straws can be inserted through the openings in the hood into the receptacles of the base frame can be. Otherwise, the cover plate is preferably closed. In a preferred embodiment, side panels of the hood are completely closed. With the basic cubic shape of the base frame and also the hood, this gives the impression that the drinking straws, which are inserted into the hood under which the base frame is located, are inserted into holes in a cube, whereby they emerge from this, for example, with approximately half their length protrude length. The same applies in the case of a cylindrical design of the base frame with a circular cross section. In this case, the drinking straws protrude from the end face of a cylinder.

In a preferred embodiment, the entire holding device including the connecting means and the optional hood is made of plastic. In particular, individual parts such as the holding grilles and the side parts can be produced using injection molding. A one-piece design of the base frame and a one-piece design of the cover element are also possible.

According to an advantageous development, the brush arrangement, which can be used for manually cleaning the drinking straws held in the holding device, comprises, in addition to a handle part connecting the individual brushes, an insertion aid that can be placed on the upper holding grid. The cross-sectional design of the insertion aid, as well as the layout of the handle part, corresponds to the design of the holding grille. In a preferred embodiment, the insertion aid is secured against rotation, in particular with the help of projections and recesses that correspond to the design on the cover element and can be placed on the upper holding grid.

The holding device, which is fully equipped with drinking straws, is so stable that even if the holding device falls from a moderate height, the glass drinking straws remain undamaged. Rearranging the drinking straws into a storage box for this purpose Longer storage is not necessary. Rather, the holding device itself also represents a storage box.

Fig. 1

eine Vorrichtung zur Halterung von Trinkhalmen in einer Explosionsdarstellung,

Fig. 2 und 3

Details der Vorrichtung nach Figur 1,

Fig. 4

die in einer Auffangwanne positionierte Vorrichtung nach Figur 1,

Fig. 5

die Auffangwanne mit einem Teil der Vorrichtung nach Figur 1,

Fig. 6

die Vorrichtung nach Figur 1 mit einem aufgesetzten Reinigungsset,

Fig. 7

ein Detail einer modifizierten Vorrichtung zur Halterung von Trinkhalmen,

Fig. 8

eine zum Aufsetzen auf eine Komponente, nämlich ein Untergestell, der Vorrichtung nach Figur 1 geeignete Haube,

Fig. 9

eine Ausführungsform der beanspruchten Vorrichtung zur Halterung von Trinkhalmen in einer Explosionsdarstellung,

Fig. 10

ein Detail der Vorrichtung nach Figur 9,

Fig. 11

die Vorrichtung nach Figur 9 in zusammengesetztem Zustand,

Fig. 12

einen Teil der Vorrichtung nach Figur 9 mit aufgesetzter Haube,

Fig. 13

eine zur Verwendung zusammen mit der Vorrichtung nach Figur 9 vorgesehene Bürstenanordnung.

Several exemplary embodiments of the invention ( Fig. 9 to 13 ) as well as unclaimed comparative examples ( Fig. 1 to 8 ), some of which also show individual features of the claimed solution, explained in more detail using a drawing. Herein show:

Fig. 1

a device for holding drinking straws in an exploded view,

Figs. 2 and 3

Details of the device Figure 1 ,

Fig. 4

the device positioned in a collecting tray Figure 1 ,

Fig. 5

the collecting pan with part of the device Figure 1 ,

Fig. 6

the device Figure 1 with an attached cleaning set,

Fig. 7

a detail of a modified device for holding drinking straws,

Fig. 8

one for placing on a component, namely a base frame, according to the device Figure 1 suitable hood,

Fig. 9

an embodiment of the claimed device for holding drinking straws in an exploded view,

Fig. 10

a detail of the device Figure 9 ,

Fig. 11

the device Figure 9 in assembled state,

Fig. 12

part of the device Figure 9 with attached hood,

Fig. 13

one for use together with the device according to Figure 9 intended brush arrangement.

Unless otherwise stated, the following explanations refer to all exemplary embodiments and comparative examples. Parts that correspond in principle are marked with the same reference numerals in all figures.

A device for holding drinking straws 2, marked overall with the reference number 1, made of glass in the present case, is composed of a base frame 3 and a cover element 4, the base frame 3 as well as the cover element 4 being made of plastic, namely injection molded parts. To connect the base frame 3 to the cover element 4, latching connecting means 5 are provided, with latching elements being designated 6. In the case of Fig. 1 the locking element 6 is a foldable element mounted on the cover element 4. In the case of Fig. 9 several locking elements 6 are each connected in one piece to the cover element 4 or to the base frame 2 and are intended to snap into a counter contour 38.

The base frame 3 includes both in terms of design Fig. 1 as well as in the exemplary embodiment Fig. 9 a lower holding grid 7. Corresponding to the overall shape of the holding device 1, the holding grid 7 in the case of Fig. 1 a square and in the case of Fig. 9 a circular basic shape.

In terms of design Fig. 1 a central holding grille 8 is to be attributed to the base frame 3, the holding grilles 7, 8 being connected to one another by lower side parts 9. Instead of several side parts 9 is in the design Fig. 2 There is only a single lower side part 9, which has the basic shape of a tube with a circular cross section. The middle holding grid 8 is in the case of Fig. 9 in the form of a disk-shaped middle part, the counter contours 38 being contours of the middle part 8.

With the holding device 1 after Fig. 1 In contrast to the base frame 3, the cover element 4 only has a single, upper holding grid 10. The upper holding grille 10 is connected to upper side parts 11, on the lower edges of which a connecting frame 12 is arranged, which is intended to be placed on the middle holding grille 8. Corresponding to the overall cylindrical lower side part 9 describes the holding device 1 Fig. 9 the upper side part 11 also has a ring shape. In this case, the connecting frame 12 represents a front end of this ring.

The individual holding grids 7, 8, 10 form lower receptacles 13, middle receptacles 14 and upper receptacles 15, which are aligned with one another and serve to hold the drinking straws 2 in a defined position. All receptacles 13, 14, 15 have an annular basic shape, with the ring shape being segmented on its inside. Through these segmentations, free flow cross sections 16 are formed on the lower holding grille 7 and on the upper holding grille 10 as well as free flow cross sections 17 on the middle holding grille 8. In the circumferential direction between the free flow cross sections 16, 17 there are contact areas 35 for the drinking straws 2. Corresponding to a 90 ° division of the receptacles 13, 14, 15 in the case of Fig. 1 Each receptacle 13, 14, 15 has exactly four contact areas 35 and just as many free flow cross sections 16, 17. In contrast to this, according to Fig. 9 a 120 ° division is given, which is equivalent to three contact areas 35 for a drinking straw 2 per receptacle 13, 14, 15.

The free flow cross sections 17 of the middle receptacles 14 are more extensive in the circumferential direction of these receptacles 14 than the free flow cross sections 16 of the lower holding grid 7 and the upper holding grid 10. This means that the drinking straws 2 are only on through the middle receptacles 14 compared to the receptacles 13, 15 relatively narrow areas of their circumference. In the case of the lower holding grille 7 and the upper holding grille 10, the receptacles 13, 15 have a pronounced funnel shape on their two end faces. Thanks to this funnel shape, a particularly large amount of liquid is passed through the drinking straws 2 when cleaning in the dishwasher. The supply of liquid to the outer surfaces of the drinking straws 2 takes place - apart from the free flow cross sections 16, 17 - via free cross-sectional areas 18 of each holding grid 7, 8, 10. In the in the Figures 1 to 8 In the illustrated cases, the holding device 1 is intended to hold a total of 27 drinking straws 2.

Several holding devices 1 in Fig. 1 shown type or several holding devices 1 of in Fig. 9 The type shown can be stacked on top of each other. In the case of Fig. 9 connecting contours 32 with projections 32 and recesses 33 are formed both on the edge of the lower holding grid 7 and on the edge of the upper holding grid 10, so that a positive interlocking of a base frame 3 of a first holding device 1 and a cover element 4 of a second holding device 1 is possible. The shape of the entire cover element 4 corresponds to the case of Fig. 9 exactly the shape of the base frame 3.

In the Figures 4 and 5 A tub 19 can also be seen in which the base frame 3 is placed. In contrast to the base frame 3, the tub 19 has closed walls 20. As far as the side parts 9, 11 of the elements 3, 4 of the holding device 1 are concerned, there is almost unhindered permeability to liquid. The free cross-sectional area of each side part 9, 11, designated 21, corresponds to more than 80% of the total cross-sectional area of the side part 9, 11. This also applies to the exemplary embodiment Fig. 9 .

The arrangement according to Figure 6 is referred to overall as cleaning set 22. In addition to the holding device 1, the cleaning set 22 includes a brush arrangement 23, which is intended for use in combination with the holding device 1. A total of 27 individual brushes 24 of the brush arrangement 23 are connected to a handle part 25, which has the basic shape of a holding grid 7, 8, 10. The to the holding device 1 after Fig. 9 adapted brush arrangement 23 Fig. 13 has 37 individual brushes 24.

To make it easier to insert the individual brushes 24 into the drinking straws 2, the arrangement is as follows Figure 6 an insertion aid 26 is placed on the upper holding grid 10. Such an insertion aid 26 is also in the arrangement Fig. 13 given, in which case a connecting contour 36 is formed at the lower edge of the insertion aid 26, which is adapted to the shape of the connecting contour 32 of the cover element 4. For precise guidance of the individual, separately replaceable Individual brushes 24 are located in the insertion aid 26 through holes 37. The individual brushes 24 both in the case of fig. 6 as well as in the case of fig. 13 dimensioned in such a way that they can protrude from the drinking straws 2 even when the insertion aid 26 is attached to the underside of the holding device 1.

The protrusion of a single brush 24 from a drinking straw 2 is also in Figure 7 illustrated. In this case, 7 support feet 27 are formed on the lower holding grid, which ensure that the lower receptacles 13 always remain spaced from a base. This also applies when the holding device 1 is arranged in the tub 19.

The Figure 8 shows an additional component of the device 1, namely a hood 28, which is suitable for slipping over the base frame 3 with the cover element 4 removed. The hood 28 has a cuboid shape with side plates 31, which in the case of Fig. 8 are structured in relief, and a cover plate 29. In the cover plate 29 there is a number of openings 30 corresponding to the number of middle receptacles 14, each of which allows a drinking straw 2 to be inserted. Apart from the openings 30, the hood 28 appears optically - unlike the base frame 3, which has many perforations - almost like a closed cube.

Reference symbol list

1

Device for holding drinking straws

2

Drinking straw

3

Base frame

4

Lid element

5

lanyard

6

Locking element

7

lower support grille

8th

middle support grille, middle section

9

lower side panel

10

upper support grille

11

upper side part

12

connection frame

13

lower shot

14

medium shot

15

top shot

16

free flow cross section on the lower and upper holding grille

17

free flow cross section at the middle holding grille

18

free cross-sectional area of each holding grid

19

tub

20

Wall

21

free cross-sectional area of each side part

22

Cleaning kit

23

Brush arrangement

24

Single brush

25

Handle part

26

Insertion aid

27

Support foot

28

Hood

29

Cover plate

30

opening

31

Side plate

32

Connection contour

33

head Start

34

Jump back

35

Investment area

36

Connection contour on the insertion aid

37

Through hole

38

Counter contour

Claims (11)

1. Device for holding drinking straws (2), constructed from a base frame (3) and a cover element (4) connected at least indirectly to the same, wherein:

   - the base frame (3) has a lower holding grid (7) with a plurality of lower receptacles (13) provided for holding one drinking straw (2) respectively,

   - the cover element (4) has an upper holding grid (10) with upper receptacles (15), positioned according to the arrangement of the lower receptacles (13) and designed to be mirror-symmetrical to the same,

   - a middle holding grid (8) is present with a plurality of middle receptacles (14) in alignment with the lower receptacles (13) and with the upper receptacles (15),

   - side parts (9, 11) connect to the lower holding grid (7) and to the upper holding grid (10) and which respectively conclude in the form of a connecting frame (12) provided for connecting to the middle holding grid (8),

   - connecting means (5) are present for detachably fastening the connecting frame (12) to the middle holding grid (8),

   - the middle holding grid (8) is designed as a separate middle part, detachable both from the base frame (3) and also from the cover element (4) via a latching connection (5),

   - the base frame (3) and the cover element (4) are identically shaped,

   - latching elements (5), which are provided for interacting with counter-contours (38), arranged on the edge of the middle holding grid (8) and offset with respect to one another in the longitudinal direction of the edge, are formed as one piece with the base frame (3) and the cover element (4) respectively.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that both the lower receptacles (13) and also the upper receptacles (15) are configured as funnels, wherein the funnel walls of the upper receptacles (15) and of the lower receptacles (13) are segmented so that multiple unobstructed flow cross sections (16) are formed on the outer circumferential surface of each drinking straw (2) by the aforementioned receptacles (13, 15), and wherein each middle receptacle (14) is additionally designed as a ring segmented at least on its inner side so that multiple unobstructed flow cross sections (17) are formed on the outer circumferential surface of each drinking straw (2) by the middle receptacles (14).
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the unobstructed cross-sectional area (18), enabling the through flow of liquid, of each holding grid (7, 8, 10) corresponds to at least 55% of the total cross-sectional area of the holding grid (7, 8, 10).
4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the unobstructed cross-sectional area (18), enabling the through flow of liquid, or each side part (9, 11) corresponds to at least 75% of the total cross-sectional area of the side part (9, 11).
5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the holding grids (7, 8, 10) have a square basic shape.
6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the the holding grids (7, 8, 10) have a circular basic shape.
7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that its total height exceeds the length of the drinking straws (2) to be accommodated, wherein the holding grids (7, 8, 10) are provided for holding at least six drinking straws (2).
8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that this, including the connecting means (5), is manufactured from plastic material.
9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by a hood (28), which is provided for placing on top of the base frame (3), and which has a cover plate (29) with openings (30) for inserting drinking straws (2) into the base frame (3).
10. Cleaning kit for cleaning drinking straws (2) comprising a holding device (1) according to claim 1 and a brush arrangement (23), which has a number of exchangeable individual brushes (24) corresponding to the number of drinking straws (2) insertable into the holding device (1), and whose arrangement is matched to the arrangement of the drinking straws (2) in the holding device (1).
11. Cleaning kit according to claim 10, characterized in that the brush arrangement (23) comprises a handle part (25) connecting the individual brushes (24) to one another and an applicator (26) which is placeable on top of the upper holding grid (10) and secured against rotation via positive locking.

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