NL2007815C2

NL2007815C2 - Retaining structure for retaining a straw in a drinking carton, drinking carton, a method for facilitating drinking from a drinking carton, and a blank.

Info

Publication number: NL2007815C2
Application number: NL2007815A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Marjolein Stoep; Marcel Plomp; Santos Rui Medeiros
Original assignee: Bin Innovations Bv
Priority date: 2011-08-09
Filing date: 2011-11-18
Publication date: 2013-02-12
Also published as: NL2007236C2

Description

P96351NL00

Title: Retaining structure for retaining a straw in a drinking carton, drinking carton, a method for facilitating drinking from a drinking carton, and a blank

The invention relates to a novel retaining structure for retaining a straw in a drinking carton.

A drinking carton, or so called carton or paper carton, is a package used for storing and transporting a beverage, such as a fruit juice, 5 soft drink, milk, chocolate milk, or yoghurt drink. There are different known cartons, typically brick shaped, but cartons having other shapes are known as well, e.g. gable top cartons or substantially circular cylindrical cartons. The carton can be made of plastic coated paperboard, for instance, liquid packaging board.

10 Often, a person who eventually consumes the beverage from the carton is a little child. Such a child ma}r lack sufficient skills, such as good eye-hand coordination, for executing certain acts, such as drinking a beverage out of an open container without spoiling. Due to the lack of sufficient skills, opening a gable top carton by pushing open the gables at 15 the top, drinking from an unfolded gable top carton, and/or pouring a beverage from a carton into a glass may be problematic acts for a user of a drinking carton, especially for a little child. To address these issues, different devices have been proposed.

For example, cartons with fitments to assist in opening and 20 pouring the contents, e.g. cartons with screwable caps, have been developed. However, especially for children, such fitments are not always convenient to use, and may therefore still result in making a mess.

Further, drinking cartons comprising a burstable, typically piercable, surface area have been proposed. Generally, said burstable area 25 comprises a circular hole in the plastic coated paperboard, covered with a 2 covering foil, such as an aluminium foil, a plastic foil or a foil laminate. The covering foil can be pierced with a straw, which, for this purpose, may be pointed and/or be provided with a sharp edged. Conventionally, an individually wrapped straw, or so called drinking straw, is provided with 5 the drinking carton, e.g. by gluing its wrap to the outside of the carton.

Although drinking through a straw counteracts spoiling of beverages to some extent, spoiling is still an issue. For example, some children tempt to remove the straw from the carton. Further, children may move the straw downwardly and upwardly for fun, by which the straw can 10 accidently be withdrawn from the carton. The stiffness of the straw and/or its pointed distal end may decrease by multiply squeezing the straw and/or by putting the straw back into the carton. The decreased stiffness may hamper placing the straw back into the carton, thereby increasing the risk of making a mess. Besides, by removing the straw from the carton, the 15 straw may get lost, which is problematic since it is often the only straw on hand. Also, a problem is that the drinking straw does not have a well defined position/orientation with respect to the drinking carton after been joined therewith.

American patent publication US 2005/0 087 619 discloses a straw 20 for drinking fluids that has conical rings or any extensions attached on the outside of it to make it go into a hole of a vessel with ease, but make it difficult to remove. However, manufacturing of such straws is cumbersome and may involve complicated and expensive machinery. Furthermore, many consumers, especially adults, experience said straws as childish and/or 25 awkward since they can not pull said straws upwardly easily, which may be inconvenient. Another disadvantage of straws with conical rings or other extensions is that such rings or extensions may easily damage the wrap in which the straw is packed, thereby exposing the straw to dirt, which is unhygienic and highly undesired.

3

It is an object of the invention to alleviate or solve at least one of the disadvantages mentioned above. In one aspect, the invention aims at providing a solution to the problem of messing beverages from an opened drinking carton. Also, aspects of the invention aim to provide a solution to 5 the problem of loosing the drinking straw, and improved drinking straw positioning.Thereto, there is provided a retaining structure for retaining a straw in a drinking carton, the retaining structure comprising a drinking straw retaining section and a drinking carton retaining section.

During use, the retaining structure can engage both the drinking 10 straw and the drinking carton, via respective retaining structure sections, for holding the straw and carton together (particularly after the straw has entered the carton via a respective drinking opening). The retaining structure can significantly reduced chanced that the drinking straw gets lost, after assembly. Also, the retaining structure can enable a certain 15 positioning of the drinking straw with respect to the drinking carton, e.g. to bring the straw to and hold the straw in a desired drinking position, thereby providing improved user comfort.

According to a further embodiment, the retaining structure is generally shaped to represent the head of an elephant, and is configured 20 such that after being joined with a drinking straw, the straw is the trunk of the represented elephant. This makes the structure extra fun to use, and provides a very festive appearance.

According a further embodiment, the drinking straw retaining section of the retaining structure may include at least one opening for 25 snuggingly fitting onto a drinking straw. Also, according to an embodiment, the retaining structure includes two said openings, for example only two of the openings, or only one such opening.

According to a highly advantageous, relatively simple and efficient and relatively inexpensive embodiment, the retaining structure is 30 made of a planar element. In such a case, preferably, the retaining structure 4 is a planar element that e.g. is bendable from a flat condition towards a deformed condition, wherein the element can engage a drinking straw in such a deformed condition by passing the drinking straw through a number of openings (e.g. two openings) of the element.

5 Also, for example, said drinking straw retaining section and drinking carton retaining section of the retaining structure can both be planar sections of the planar element (being made in one piece with one another). For example, a said planar drinking carton retaining section can be bendable or pivotal with respect to the drinking straw retaining section, 10 towards a position that is substantially parallel to the drinking straw, for engaging a drinking carton.

For example, it has been found that good results can be achieved in case the retaining structure is an initially flat profile that can be deformed (preferably resiliently deformed) to a retaining straw engagement 15 state for engaging a drinking straw.

According to a further embodiment, the drinking carton retaining section can be a barbed or barb-type retaining section, particularly having a stem for passing a drinking carton drinking straw opening and one or more bard sections extending laterally from the stem.

20 Moreover, in an additionally advantageous aspect, a relatively flat (planar) retaining structure can be provided via a blank, containing a number of such profiles.

In an embodiment, the retaining structure includes an expanding element, for counteracting withdrawal of the retaining structure from a 25 carton.

In a further embodiment there are provided at least two expanding elements. Thus, withdrawal of the retaining structure may be counteracted relatively well..

For example, there can be provided at least one expanding element 30 which is or comprises at least one barb. In this way, a relatively simple and 5 convenient expanding element is provided. The barb may be formed as a wing.

The barb may be configured to deform during use (i.e. during insertion into the drinking carton, via a drinking straw opening of that 5 carton), or the barb may be configured to deform the drinking carton during use. Also, in a further embodiment, both the barb and the drinking carton can be configured to deform when the barb enters the drinking carton (via a drinking straw opening of that carton).

In a further embodiment there is provided a separate (e.g. loose) 10 retaining structure. In this way, a user of a drinking carton can be given the freedom to choose to use the retaining structure or not. For example, a carton may be provided which is provided with both a straw and a separate retaining structure. Alternatively, a straw may be provided which is already pre-inserted into the retaining structure, but which may be removed from 15 the retaining structure, e.g. by pulling it all the way through the straw in the inserting direction, or by pulling it sidewardly out of the retaining structure.

For example, the retaining structure may be provided in a wrap together with the straw. Said wrap can, for instance, be glued to the carton. 20 By, alternatively, providing the retaining structure wrapped in a separate wrap, damaging a second wrap, covering the straw, may be counteracted. It is noted that the retaining structure does not need to be provided together with a carton. For example, one or a plurality of retaining structures maybe sold separately from one or a plurality of drinking cartons.

25 In a further embodiment, the drinking straw retaining section of the retaining structure is configured for retaining (cooperating with, gripping) standard straws and/or straws normally provided together with drinking cartons. For instance, cover parts of plug-type retaining structures may have standard inner diameters corresponding to outer diameters of 6 standard straws and/or of straws normally provided together with drinking cartons.

Also, a said loose retaining structure can e.g. be provided as a single item, or in a group. In the latter case, and in case of a planar profile 5 as a retaining structure, advantageously, there can be provided a blank that includes a plurality of such profiles (being individually removable from the blank).

Also, according to an aspect of the invention there can be provided a plug-type retaining structure for retaining a straw in a drinking carton, 10 for example a carton plug. The plug-type structure (or “plug”) may comprise: a cover part having an inner surface for at least partly covering a portion of a circular cylindrical outer surface of the straw when said straw is at least partly inserted into the plug, and the cover part being arranged for counteracting withdrawal of said at least partly inserted straw; and at least 15 one expanding element for expanding at least in a substantially radial direction of the carton plug. It is noted that in this case, a substantially radial direction of the plug-type retaining structure may at least mean a direction being substantially transverse to a direction in which the plug can be inserted into the drinking carton and being directed away from a central 20 axis of the retaining structure.

In case of a plug-type retaining structure, there can be provided at least one retaining member for counteracting at least partially withdrawing the straw with respect to the plug when said straw is at least partly inserted into the plug. Thus, withdrawing the straw from the plug , and 25 thus from the carton, may be counteracted. For example, the retaining member or members of the plug may comprise at least one bump, pricker, barb, and/or substantially rough surface area, e.g. provided at an inner surface of the cover part.

A proximal end of the retaining structure can be chamfered (the 30 proximal end being the end at a side of the retaining structure arranged for 7 entering the carton firstly). In this way relatively smooth insertion of the retaining structure into the carton can be accommodated.

In case of a plug-type retaining structure, there can be provided a rim near the distal end, i.e. the end at the side of the plug substantially 5 opposite to the side arranged for entering the carton firstly. In this way it may be prevented that the plug can undesirably be pushed completely into the drinking carton. Alternatively and/or additionally, the plug may near the distal end be provided with one or a plurality of substantially radially extending portions, such one or a plurality of radially protruding fingers.

10 At least part of the retaining structure, e.g. the entire retaining structure, can be made of a resilient material, for example a a resilient plastic material.

In case of a planar retaining structure, e.g., the structure can be resiliently deformed from an initially planar state towards a deformed 15 (strained) state to engage a drinking straw. After engagement, the resiliently deformed retaining structure can firmly hold the drinking straw using its inherent spring-tension. Similarly, in case of the planar retaining structure, e.g., the structure can be resiliently deformed towards a deformed (strained) state to engage the drinking carton, to stably position an engaged 20 drinking straw with respect to an engaged drinking carton using inherent spring-tension.

In an another embodiment, regarding a plug-type retaining structure, an afore-mentioned cover part, first expanding element and/or retaining member can be made of a resilient material, preferably a resilient 25 plastic material. For example, in case of application of a plug-type retaining structure, the resilient material may temporarily widen the optional crack for facilitating snapping in the straw. Besides, the resilient material may facilitate temporary pushing an afore-mentioned expanding element inwardly in a radial direction of the plug and may accommodate relatively 30 fast expanding of said element after said element has been completely 8 inserted into the carton, thereby facilitating a fast and convenient snagging of the plug in the carton.

The invention also relates to a drinking carton and a method for facilitating drinking from a drinking carton.

5 By using the method of claim 14, it can be made possible to prepare a drinking straw assembly, comprising a retaining structure and a drinking straw that has been joined therewith (e.g. an at least partly therein inserted drinking straw). Such a prepared straw assembly may be handed out, e.g. to a child, together with an accompanying drinking carton. The assembly may 10 counteract removal of the straw from the carton and thus avoiding loosing the drinking straw. Also, spoiling of a beverage from said carton can be prevented. Besides, in a further embodiment, the retaining structure can be used to orient and hold the drinking straw in a certain desired drinking position with respect to the drinking carton.

15 It follows that the method may counteract making a mess. For example, a professional, such as a teacher or childminder, may prepare a multiple number of straw assemblies for a multiple number of children. As a result, e.g. a day care, school, or children’s home may be kept relatively clean without extensive supervision.

20 Advantageous embodiments according to the invention are described in the appended claims.

By way of non-limiting example only, embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: 25 Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a retaining structure according to a first embodiment of a the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a retaining structure according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 shows a front view of a retaining structure according to a 30 third embodiment of the invention; 9

Fig. 4 shows a side view of the third embodiment;

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the third embodiment of a retaining structure embodiment joined with a drinking straw;

Fig. 6 shows the assembly of Fig. 5 in a side view; 5 Fig. 7 shows the assembly of Fig. 5 in a back view; and

Fig. 8 shows a blank according to an embodiment of the invention It is noted that the figures show merely preferred embodiments according to the invention. In the figures, the same reference numbers refer to equal or corresponding parts.

10 Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a retaining structure 1 according to a first example of the invention. The retaining structure 1 is suitable for retaining a straw 2 in a drinking carton. To this aim, the retaining structure 1 includes a drinking straw retaining section 3, 4, 8, as well as a drinking carton retaining section 3, 5, 7, 10. The two 15 sections are preferably made in one piece, as in this example.

In this first example, the retaining structure 1 is configured for counteract messing beverages from an opened drinking carton. The present first embodiment is a plug-type retaining structure 1 (i.e. a plug 1).

In the present embodiment of a plug-type structure 1, there is 20 provided a cover part 3 shaped as a substantially tube, preferably an elongated tube. Thus, the plug 1 may be provided which adds relatively little surface area to a straw inserted in said plug 1, and which therefore may be relatively easily be inserted into a carton, e.g. through a burstable area of the carton. It is noted that adding relatively little surface area to the 25 straw means adding relatively little surface area in a plane being substantially transverse to the insertion direction of the plug. It is further noted that the insertion direction of the plug 1 means the direction in which the plug will be inserted into the drinking carton.

The straw 2 as such comprises an elongated hollow tube portion 2’. 30 For example, the straw may further comprise an accordion type flexible 10 portion which makes the flexible portion bendable and/or retractable in the longitudinal direction of the flexible portion. The flexible portion may comprise ring shaped elements with a diameter wider than the diameter of the elongated hollow tube portion 2’, and may therefore counteracts that the 5 straw 2 can be pushed all the way through the plug 1, thus counteracting that the straw becomes pushed completely into the carton. On top of the flexible portion, the straw 2 may comprise a mouthpiece portion at a distal end of the straw 2, the mouthpiece portion may be a second elongated hollow tube portion. Furthermore, the straw 2 may comprise a piercing 10 portion at a proximal end of the straw 2, for piercing a covering piercable foil covering a drinking opening of the drinking carton.

In the first example, the afore-mentioned cover part 3, which is substantially formed as an elongated tube, has an inner surface 4 for at least partly covering a portion 5 of a circular cylindrical outer surface 6 of 15 the straw 2 when said straw 2 is at least partly inserted into the plug 1.

Further, the cover part 3 is arranged for counteracting withdrawal of said at least partly inserted straw 2.

Further, the retaining structure 1 comprises two expanding elements 7 for expanding at least in a substantially radial direction RD of 20 the retaining structure 1. The two expanding elements 7 are shaped as two barbs 7. Alternatively or additionally, the expanding elements 7 may comprise other elements, e.g. conical rings.

In this example, the two barbs 7 are placed at opposite flanks of the plug , i.e. the two barbs 7 are spaced substantially 180° from each other in 25 the peripheral direction PD of the plug . Alternatively, another number of barbs 7 or other expanding elements 7 may be substantially evenly distributed about the peripheral direction PD of the plug 1. For example, three or four barbs may be located at substantially 120° or 90° from each other, respectively. Thus, said withdrawal may be counteracted even better.

11

Further, the retaining structure 1 comprises two retaining members 8, i.e. two second barbs 9, which are located attached to the inner surface 4 of the cover part 3. The second barbs 9 do not or do only very little hamper moving the straw 2 in a downward direction DD relatively to the 5 plug 1. It is noted that the downward direction DD is a direction directed in substantially the same direction as the insertion direction ID in which the plug 1 is inserted into the carton. Additionally or alternatively, the plug 1 may comprise one or a plurality of other retaining members for counteracting at least partially withdrawal of the straw 2 with respect to 10 the plug 1 when said straw 2 is at least partly inserted into the plug 2. It is noted that the withdrawal of the straw means moving the straw at least partly through and/or out of the plug 1, in a withdrawing direction WD being substantially opposite to the downward direction DD.

In this example, the retaining structure 1 comprises a radial 15 extending portion 10, formed as a rim 11. The radial extending portion 10 is located near a distal end 12 of the plug 1 and the radial extending portion 10 extends substantially in a radial direction RD of the plug 1.

The proximal end 13 of the plug 1, i.e. the end 13 at a side of a profile arranged for entering the carton firstly, is chamfered to some extent. 20 The chamfer 14 may provide for a relatively smoothly insertion of the plug 1 into the carton.

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a plug-type retaining structure 1 according to the invention. The retaining structure 1 comprises a cover part 3 substantially formed as 25 an elongated tube. In this example, an inner surface 4 of the cover part 3 does not entirely surround a circular cylindrical portion 5 of a circular cylindrical outer surface 6 of a straw 2. This is, the cover part 3, made of a resilient plastic material, comprises a crack 15, extending from the distal end 12 to the proximal end 13 of the cover part 3.

12

By providing a crack 15 in the cover part 3, which crack extends from the distal end to the proximal end of the cover part, preferably from the distal end of the retaining structure to the proximal end of said retaining structure, sideward insertion and/or removal of the straw into or 5 out of the cover part and/or plug may be made possible, respectively.

Preferably, the crack 15 has such a width, that it is wide enough to snap the straw substantially sidewardly into the cover part, thereby providing an easy and/or convenient way of attaching the straw into the retaining structure.

10 In the present example, the crack 15 has a width W, which is wide enough to snap the straw 2 substantially sidewardly into the cover part 3. For example, the width W is substantially 2%, 3%, 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 20% or 25% smaller than the outer diameter of the straw 2 and/or of the elongated hollow tube portion 2’ of the straw.

15 Alternatively or additionally, the retaining structure 1 may be arranged to let the straw be put into the retaining structure from the distal end of the plug and/or cover part, by pushing the straw in the insertion direction of the retaining structure.

In the present example, the retaining structure 1 comprises a 20 retaining member 8 implemented as a pricker 16 located at the inner surface 4 of the cover part 3. In the example the pricker 16 comprises a sharp point 16’. When the straw 2 is sidewardly inserted into the plug through the crack 15, the pricker pricks a small hole into the straw, which hole substantially gets filled up by said pricker 16. Therefore, the pricker 25 may affix to the straw, and thus retain the straw 2 and substantially close off the hole it created. By substantially closing off the hole, the pricker 16 may counteract leaking of fluids, both gasses and liquids. Therefore, the pricker 16 may avoid difficulties which may be caused by creating the hole, such as streaming out of the straw of a beverage sucked out of the carton 30 and/or hampering proper sucking up of the beverage due to sucking in false 13 air through said hole. Although in this embodiment one pricker 16 is provided, a retaining structure according to the invention may comprise a plurality of prickers 16, for instance two, three, four, five, or six prickers, e.g. substantially provided above each other in the longitudinal direction LD 5 of the retaining structure 1. However, other, e.g. non linear, pricker placements are possible as well.

Figures 3, 4 show a highly advantageous third embodiment, that has a relatively simple configuration. The third embodiment differs from the embodiments shown in Figures 1-2 in that the retaining structure 101 is not 10 a plug-type structure, but a planar profile 101. The planar profile is preferably made of plastic, or optionally of a papertype or cartontype material, or a different material.

Preferably, the planar element 101 is flexible. More preferably, the planar element is resilient 101. The flexible, preferably resilient, 15 element 101 can be brought from an initial flat state (shown in Figures 3, 4) to a second state for receiving (and preferably resiliently grasping) the straw 2, as is shown in Figures 5-7. Thus, the profile 101 may be is an initially flat profile that can be deformed to a retaining straw engagement state (shown in Figures 5-7) for engaging the drinking straw.

20 Particularly, the planar profile 101 mainly includes a drinking straw retaining section 103 and a drinking carton retaining section 107.

The drinking straw retaining section includes at least one opening 103A (two, in this example) for snuggingly fitting onto a drinking straw 2.

In the example, the two openings 103A are spaced-apart from each other, for 25 example by a distance of about 1 cm, about 2 cm or about 3 cm.

Each drinking straw receiving opening 103A is located on a central axis X of the profile 101, the central axis X being a central axis of each of the drinking straw retaining section 103 and the drinking carton retaining section 107. Said central axis X extends in parallel with a main 30 section of the drinking straw 2 after the profile 101 is joined therewith (see 14

Fig. 7), in the present example. In the present embodiment, each drinking straw receiving opening 103A is a circular hole. Each such opening 103A can also be shaped differently, e.g. angular or otherwise, as will be appreciated by the skilled person.

5 Each drinking straw receiving opening 103A may already be present before a first use. Besides, in a further embodiment, drinking straw receiving opening(s) 103A can be configured to be opened from an initially closed or partly closed condition before use. In an embodiment, e.g., the drinking straw retaining section 103 can be provided with a number of slits 10 or breakable weakening lines (e.g. one or two slits or breakable weakening lines), that can be opened or widened to provide a respective (local) drinking straw receiving opening.

The present the drinking carton retaining section includes a barbed or barb-type retaining section 107B, particularly having a stem 107A 15 that integrally connects the barbed section 107B to the drinking straw engaging/retaining section 103. In the example, the stem 107A is located centrally on said centre axis X of the profile 101. A lateral width Q of the stem 107A (measured normalty with respect to the axis X) can be about the same as, or smaller than a diameter of the drinking straw 2, and for 20 example about the same as or smaller than a diameter of the respective drinking carton drinking straw opening. Thus, the stem 107A can extend through the drinking straw opening of the drinking carton, positioning the barbed section 107B within the carton and positioning the drinking straw retaining section 103 outside the carton. A lateral width of the barb-type 25 retaining section 107B, measured in the same direction, is larger than a diameter of the drinking straw 2, and larger than a diameter of a respective drinking carton drinking straw opening. Thus, the barb section 107B can counteract withdrawal of the profile 101 after being inserted into the carton, through the drinking straw opening of the carton.

15

As particularly follows from Figures 3-4, in this example, the barb section 107B and drinking straw retaining section 103 define two lateral apertures 101A there-between, at lateral sides of the stem 107A. In this example, each of these apertures 101A is located between opposite parallel 5 edges of the barb section 107B and drinking straw retaining section 103, the parallel edges extending normally with respect to the profile’s centre axis.

In the present example, the barb-type section 107B has a substantially triangular shape, when viewed in a front view (see Fig. 3). The barb-type section 107B can also be shaped differently, for example having 10 another angular shape (polygonal, square, rectangular) or having a curved shape (circular, oval or otherwise curved), viewed in the front view.

In one embodiment, the barb-type section is symmetrically positioned with respect to the profile’s centre axis X, viewed in a front view (see Fig. 3), the profile’s centre axis X for example being an axis or mirror-15 symmetry for the barb-type section.

In the present example, the barb-type section 107B is asymmetrical with respect to the profile’s centre axis X, viewed in a front view (see Fig. 3). Particularly, a distal tip T of the barb-type section 107B is spaced-apart from the profile’s centre axis X. More particularly, the distal 20 tip T of the barb-type section 107B is located at or near a first lateral side 107C of the barb-type section 107B. In this example, the afore-mentioned first lateral side 107C of the barb-type section 107B extends in parallel with the centre axis X of the profile 101. Also, in this example, the barb-type section 107B has a second lateral side 107D that extends from the distal tip 25 T to a proximal part of the section 107B, the second lateral side 107D

crossing the profile’s centre axis X at an angle (for example an angle in the range of about 20 to 70 degrees).

In the present example, the straw retaining section 103 has additional decorations, for example openings 103B, particularly two such 30 additional openings (being curved, U-shaped, openings in the example). The 16 decorative openings 103B can e.g. represent two eyes. Also, the decoration can include two side flaps 103D, for example representing ears. It particularly follows that the present straw retaining section 103 is shaped as the head of an elephant. After being joined with a drinking straw 2 (see 5 Figures 5-7), the straw 2 serves to be the trunk of the elephant.

Thus, there can be provided a retaining structure that is generally shaped as a head of an elephant (with elephant ears 103C and eyes 103B), the structure being configured such that after being joined with a drinking straw, the straw is the elephant trunk. The skilled person will appreciate 10 that the retaining structure embodiments described above, depicted in figures 1-2, can also be provided with additional decoration, e.g. for representing the head of an elephant (and such that the structure is joined with a drinking straw, the straw appears to be the trunk of the represented elephant.).

15 The skilled person will also appreciate that the retaining section 103 can be shaped in many different ways, and can be decorated in many different ways.

Figures 5-7 show the present planar retaining profile 101 engaging a drinking straw 2. The retaining profile 101 has been deformed 20 (bended) from its initially flat condition to a curved shape, viewed in a side view, thereby positioning the two opening 103A opposite one another for passing the straw through the openings 103A. In a non-limiting embodiment, the deformed profile has local sections that are associated with the openings 103A, the local sections including an angle 6 with one another 25 after the deformation/bending. In the present embodiment the aforementioned angle 6 is in the range of about 135 to 45 degrees. In case of a profile 101 made of resilient material, the bending of the profile 101 can lead to a straining of the profile, so that the profile 101 can resiliently engage the straw 2 after the straw 2 has passed the openings 103A.

17

Also, in a further embodiment, the configuration can be such that a passing of the straw 2 through an opening 103A of the profile 101 leads to a widening of the opening 103A. In that case, combined with a resilient profile 101, again the widening of the opening 103A can lead to local 5 internal spring force, that can lead to the profile resiliently engaging the straw 2.

Also, in a further embodiment, the configuration can be such that the bending of the profile 101 (from its flat condition) leads to a widening of a said opening 103A as such.

10 After the profile 101 has been joined with the straw 2, the profile 101 and straw 2 can engage the carton. To that aim, the proximal end of the straw 2 can enter the carton via a respective drinking straw opening of the carton (optionally piercing a covering pier cable foil of the drinking carton). The drinking carton retaining section (barb) 107 can be passed through the 15 drinking straw opening as well, thereby engaging the carton and positioning the straw with respect to the carton. Particularly, in the present example, the mounting of the retaining section 107 can involve bending that section 107 in a direction Y (direction Y being indicated in Fig. 6 with arrow Y) with respect to the drinking straw retaining section 103, towards the drinking 20 straw 2 (in case the straw is already being engaged by the drinking straw retaining section 103).

In another mode of operation, the carton retaining section 103 of the profile 101 can be coupled to a drinking carton first (i.e. by passing the drinking carton retaining section 107 through the drinking straw opening of 25 the carton), before the drinking straw 2 is joined with and engaged by the profile 101.

Figure 8 shows a blank P, including a plurality of flat retaining structures 101, particularly in a removable manner. In a further embodiment, the blank P can be made of plastic, or optionally of a papertype 18 or cartontype material, or a different material. Preferably, blank P is flexible. More preferably, the blank P is resilient.

For example, the of flat retaining structures 101 can be defined by respective weakening lines, breaking lines, perforation lines, tearing lines or 5 otherwise, such that the retaining structures 101 can each be removed from a remaining blank part. Also, in a further embodiment, the blank P can already include perforations that define the openings 103A, 103B of each of the retaining profiles 101.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described 10 herein. It will be understood that many variants are possible.

For example, in the second shown embodiment (Fig. 2) the straw 2 is sidewardly inserted in the plug and attached to the pricker 16.

However, the prickerl6, or a multiple number of provided prickers, maybe flexible in the downward direction DD. Therefore, the straw 2 may be 15 inserted into the plug 1 from the distal end 12 of the plug, without getting pierced by pricker(s). When the straw subsequently is moved in an upward direction WD, e.g. is being pulled upwardly, the pricker(s) may bend back to some extent and/or pierce the straw, creating a hole and retaining the straw, preventing the straw being withdrawn from the carton.

20 Also, for example, in case of a plug-type structure, an afore mentioned barb may in a first position, prior to a partly insertion of the plug into a drinking carton, lie against the cover part, and may be arranged to expand during and/or after said partly insertion, whereby it moves into a second position in which the barb is expanded and is at least partly radially 25 protruding from the plug. Hereto, for instance, the barb may near its topside be connected to the plug-type structure, e.g. to a rim, wherein the connection may be breakable, i.e. may be that weak that said connection will easily break, e.g. due to a force acting on the connection due to the partly inserting of the plug-type structure. However, the barb does not need to be 30 connected to the plug near the barb’s topside. Alternatively or additionally, 19 the barb may be arranged to be pushed towards and/or against the cover part, i.e. in a radially inward direction, for instance, due to a force working on the barb due to the partly insertion of the plug into the carton. For example, because the barb may near a bottom side of the barb be resiliently 5 connected to the cover part, the barb can expand after said barb is completely inserted into the carton.

Other such variants will be apparent for the person skilled in the art and are considered to lie within the scope of the invention as formulated in the following claims.

Claims

A holding structure for holding a straw in a drinking suit, comprising a drinking straw holding section and a drinking suit holding section.

2. A retaining structure according to claim 1, wherein the straw-retaining section comprises at least one opening for snug fitting on a straw.

The retaining structure according to claim 2, comprising two said openings.

4. Retention structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retention structure is made of a flat element.

A retaining structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining structure is a initially flat profile that is deformable to a straw engaging state for engaging a straw.

A retaining structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drinking suit retaining section comprises a barb or barb-type retaining section, in particular with a shank to be inserted through a straw opening of a drinking suit and one or more barb parts protruding laterally from the shank .

A retaining structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining structure is generally formed to represent the head of an elephant, and is configured such that after being brought together with a straw, the straw is the trunk of the represented elephant.

A retaining structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of the retaining structure is made of a resilient material or comprises a resilient material, preferably a resilient plastic material.

9. A retaining structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the straw-retaining section comprises a cover part with an inner surface for at least partially covering a part of a circular cylindrical outer surface of the straw when said straw is at least partially received in the retaining structure , wherein the cover part is adapted to prevent the withdrawal of said at least partially received straw; and at least one expansion element for expansion in at least a substantially radial direction of the retaining structure.

The retaining structure of claim 9, wherein the at least one expansion element or the plurality of expansion elements comprises at least one barb.

11. Retention structure according to any of claims 9-10, comprising at least two expansion elements, preferably substantially evenly distributed around a circumferential direction of the retention structure.

A retaining structure according to any one of claims 9-11, wherein the cover part is substantially a tube, preferably an elongated tube.

Drinking package provided with a retaining structure according to one of the preceding claims.

A method for facilitating drinking from a drinking pack, comprising the steps of: providing a retaining structure according to any of claims 1-12; including a part of the holding structure, in particular the drinking suit holding section, in the drinking suit; and receiving a straw in the holding structure, in particular in the straw holding section.

15. Method as claimed in claim 14, comprising of bringing the straw together with the retaining structure prior to or simultaneously with the incorporation of the retaining structure in the drink package.

A blank comprising several retaining structures according to any of claims 1-8, in particular in a detachable manner.