US20140339325A1

US20140339325A1 - Double bend straw

Info

Publication number: US20140339325A1
Application number: US13/893,734
Authority: US
Inventors: Jason Williams; Joy Wilson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-05-14
Filing date: 2013-05-14
Publication date: 2014-11-20

Abstract

A double bend straw comprising: a first segment at a top portion of the double bend straw; a second segment in a middle portion of the double bend straw; a third segment at a bottom portion of the double bend straw; a first accordion portion connecting the first segment to the second segment; and a second accordion portion connecting the second segment to the third segment, wherein the first accordion portion and the second accordion portion enable the double bend straw to extend, retract and bend as desired by a user. The first segment includes either an opening or a mouthpiece at a top end of the first segment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a straw that includes multiple bends to provide a user with more versatile drink placement.
2. Description of Related Art
Drinking straws are popular beverage accessories to assist people when drinking out of a cup, bottle or can. Many people use straws because of their convenience to reach the beverage especially when driving, performing an activity or when at a distance from the drinking vessel. Also, others use the straws for sanitary purposes. The straws enable the user to imbibe their beverage without actually having to place their lips on the drinking container. This way dirt, germs and other unsanitary substances remain removed from the user's mouth, preventing the ingestion of the unwanted substances.
Many times when using a straw user may find that they cannot reach the right angle for drinking For example, the neck of the container and the width may cause difficulty for the user to obtain the last portion of the drink. Also, when a person is in bed, specifically a patient, and they need a drink, it is difficult for them to reach the straw due to the angle of the container and the upright positioning of the straw. Finally, drinking bottles are typically tall and narrow vessels and standard straws cannot reach all the way to the bottom with enough straw sticking out at the top for the user to drink.
It would be beneficial in the art to provide a straw that assists a user when drinking especially when they are unable to sit up or move their head to drink. It would also be desirable in the art to provide a straw that lengthens as desired by the user so that they may utilize the straw at greater distances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a double bend straw comprising: a first segment at a top portion of the double bend straw; a second segment in a middle portion of the double bend straw; a third segment at a bottom portion of the double bend straw; a first accordion portion connecting the first segment to the second segment; and a second accordion portion connecting the second segment to the third segment, wherein the first accordion portion and the second accordion portion enable the double bend straw to extend, retract and bend as desired by a user. The first segment includes either an opening or a mouthpiece at a top end of the first segment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a double bend straw in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to a straw that includes multiple bends to provide a user with more versatile drink placement. The present invention provides a double bend straw with two bends thereby giving the user more angles for beverage consumption. The double bend straw may be useful for patients who are unable to move their head or sit up tall enough to drink from a normal glass. Also the double bend straw may be fun for children and adults alike as an alternative drink accessory.
Turning now descriptively to the drawing, referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a double bend straw 10 is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The double bend straw 10 includes three segments, a first segment 14 or a top segment, a second segment 16 or a middle segment and a third segment 18 or a bottom segment. The segments 14, 16, 18 are aligned to form the complete double bend straw 10. The first segment 14 may be 1.25 inches. The second segment 16 may be 6.5 inches. The third segment 18 may be 5.5 inches.
At the top of the first segment 14 is an opening 20 or mouthpiece for the double bend straw 10. At the opposing end of the double end straw 10 is a second opening 22. During use a user creates suction at the first opening 20 to enable a liquid at the second opening 22 to travel through the double bend straw 10.
Adjoining the first segment 14 to the second segment 16 is a first accordion portion 24. Likewise, adjoining the second segment 16 to the third segment 18 is a second accordion portion 26. The accordion portions 24, 26 are able to extend, retract and bend the segments 14, 16, 18 into various positions. When fully extended the accordion portions 24, 26 may be 0.75 inches, therefore adding 1.5 inches to the total length to the double bend straw 10.
The double bend straw 10 may be made from a plastic material for easy and repeated bending. Also, the double bend straw 10 may be available as white, clear or in multiple colors depending on the likes and preferences of the user. With the flexibility of the double bend straw 10 the user is able to enjoy their beverages from various angles and body positions therefore allowing greater versatility for users who may not normally be able to drink from a cup.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A double bend straw comprising:

a first segment at a top portion of the double bend straw;

a second segment in a middle portion of the double bend straw;

a third segment at a bottom portion of the double bend straw;

a first accordion portion connecting the first segment to the second segment; and

a second accordion portion connecting the second segment to the third segment, wherein the first accordion portion and the second accordion portion enable the double bend straw to extend, retract and bend as desired by a user.

2. The double bend straw according to claim 1, where the first segment includes at least one of an opening and a mouthpiece at a top end of the first segment.

3. The double bend straw according to claim 1, where the first accordion portion and second accordion portion include a contracted position and an extended position, wherein each the first accordion portion and second accordion portion extend 0.75 inches in the extended position.