US20230061489A1 - Lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw - Google Patents
Lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw Download PDFInfo
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- US20230061489A1 US20230061489A1 US17/411,890 US202117411890A US2023061489A1 US 20230061489 A1 US20230061489 A1 US 20230061489A1 US 202117411890 A US202117411890 A US 202117411890A US 2023061489 A1 US2023061489 A1 US 2023061489A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- tube body
- lip
- pucker
- enclosed conduit
- proximal end
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
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- 239000010902 straw Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 78
- 230000035622 drinking Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 45
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 229920006238 degradable plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 8
- 229920002379 silicone rubber Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 abstract description 13
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 10
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 7
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 229920000704 biodegradable plastic Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000003912 environmental pollution Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920002261 Corn starch Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000004308 accommodation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000020965 cold beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000008120 corn starch Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 210000001983 hard palate Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 201000000615 hard palate cancer Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 235000012171 hot beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000003562 lightweight material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000021056 liquid food Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000012054 meals Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 201000009240 nasopharyngitis Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 231100000252 nontoxic Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000003000 nontoxic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000021395 porridge Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000001737 promoting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000019991 rice wine Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000005060 rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000014347 soups Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000012815 thermoplastic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003053 toxin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 231100000765 toxin Toxicity 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G21/00—Table-ware
- A47G21/18—Drinking straws or the like
- A47G21/186—Details of bendable straws
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G21/00—Table-ware
- A47G21/18—Drinking straws or the like
- A47G21/185—Mouthpieces
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G21/00—Table-ware
- A47G21/18—Drinking straws or the like
Definitions
- This invention provides a lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw having a substantially oblong sectional profile at a proximal end meant to be placed between lips of a user and to be accommodated by the lips of the user without requiring puckering or pursing of the lips.
- Disposable straws can be made from paper, and can be made from different lightweight degradable or biodegradable plastics or blends of plastics and other materials. But such disposable paper or lightweight degradable plastic straws are susceptible to collapse or failure in circumstances where too much suction is applied to a straw and where the design of the straw allows for concentrations and differences of suction or pressure to bear upon a small area.
- a lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw having a proximal end shaped and sized for accommodation by lips of a user, and having changes of sectional profile which promote the smoother flow of liquid, allowing for use of the straw with less puckering, and allowing for use of better lightweight and disposable materials without susceptibility to collapse and failure.
- a drinking straw has a tubular structure which includes a body portion and an upper end portion.
- a conduit is formed between the body portion and the upper end portion.
- the upper end portion has an elongated outer periphery which enables a user to create a seal between the user's lips and the outer periphery of the upper end portion without pursing the user's lips.
- the upper end portion may have a triangular shape.
- the conduit through the straw may have a constant cross-sectional area, or it may vary.
- the drinking straw may have solid lateral portions. The upper end portion of the straw may be detachable from the body portion of the straw and replaceable on a different body portion.
- US Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0079453 for a “KoffieStraw,” published on Mar. 23, 2017 by inventors Rita Diorio et al. discloses a drinking straw for transferring fluids with a body shaped as a cylindrical tube and one aperture.
- the body includes a first end, a second end, and an outer surface.
- the aperture extends from the first end of the body to the second end of the body and the aperture defines an inner surface.
- the straw includes an angle point where the upper region of the straw is displaced at a fixed angle with respect to the lower region. Both the outer surface of the straw and the inner surface have the same non-circular shape.
- the aperture has a non-circular cross-sectional shape, such as an oval, an ellipse, a tear drop, and the like.
- the straw is made of a durable, non-toxic material, such as thermoplastic material that is suitable to withstand a temperature of the fluid of up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit, while preventing toxin release related to common cold beverage straws when immersed in hot beverages.
- Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2010-0010011 for “A Horizontal Wide Straw for Liquid Food,” published on Oct. 13, 2010 by inventor discloses a straw characterized by a shape in which the suction port is widened left and right for when the user wants to sell and drink fluids such as porridge, rice wine, soup, etc. in the form of takeaway beverages.
- the intake of the straw is extended from side to side and horizontally, and by providing a straw with a wider intake area, hot and granular fluids can be easily consumed for meal replacement in the form of take-out beverages.
- U.S. Pat. No. 1,223,933 for an “Artificial Imbibing Straw,” issued on Apr. 24, 1917 to inventor Paul H. Can, provides for an artificial straw comprising a tube, the cross section of which is provided with a short diameter and a long diameter forming two longitudinal parallel substantially flat walls connected by longitudinally extending end walls, whereby a single opening is of substantially elliptical form.
- This invention provides a lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw providing a tube body defining an enclosed conduit for a flow of liquid.
- the tube body and enclosed conduit have a substantially round sectional profile at a distal end meant to be placed into a container of liquid, and a substantially oblong sectional profile at a proximal end meant to be placed between lips of a user and to be accommodated by the lips of the user without requiring puckering or pursing of the lips.
- the sectional profile of the enclosed conduit changes from a round profile at the distal end and through approximately 90 percent of the tube body to an oblong profile at the proximal end, with the change of profile occurring at a transition segment near the proximal end.
- An optional bending segment can be provided to provide a bend in the tube body or allow the user to make such a bend.
- the sectional area or circumference of the enclosed conduit at the proximal end is not less than the sectional area at the distal end, providing control of suction and pressure, thereby reducing the need for puckering or pursing of the lips, and also allowing use of lightweight materials such as paper, degradable plastic, or soft silicon rubber with a reduced tendency for collapsing.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of three instances of the lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of the invention in bent and unbent embodiments;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of the invention in use
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of the invention.
- FIG. 4 is an axial view of the lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of the invention.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of the invention showing a projection of internal dimensions
- FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw having an enclosed conduit larger at the proximal end than at the distal end.
- the lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw 10 provides a tube body 1 defining an enclosed conduit 2 for a flow of liquid.
- the tube body 1 has a distal end 3 meant to be placed into a container of liquid, and a proximal end 4 meant to be placed between lips of a user.
- the sectional profile of the enclosed conduit 2 changes from one profile at the distal end 3 to another profile at the proximal end 4 , as treated in detail below, with the change of profile occurring at a transition segment 5 .
- an optional bending segment 6 can be provided to provide a bend in the tube body 1 or allow the user to make such a bend.
- the proximal end 4 of the tube body 1 is shaped to be accommodated by the lips of the user without requiring puckering or pursing of the lips.
- the sectional profile of the proximal end 4 is a rounded oblong. When positioned during use the short dimension of the oblong profile runs vertically as a height, and the long dimension runs horizontally as a width. The lips of the user require only a slight parting to accommodate the proximal end 4 .
- the greater part of the outer surface area of the proximal end is oriented horizontally along either the top or the bottom lip. Only a lesser part of the outer surface area has any vertical component, and any air gap at the sides can be closed with just the natural compression of the lips, without any need to pucker or purse the lips into a central rounded shape.
- the sectional profile of the enclosed conduit 2 at the distal end 3 is maintained along most of the length of the tube body 1 .
- the sectional profile can be substantially round or circular, which is a standard profile for straws, and which promotes a more smooth, laminar flow of liquids because of the absence of corners or internal obstructions that can increase turbulence. Small deviations from a perfect circle should not significantly affect the flow of liquids.
- the bending preferably should create no change in the sectional profile or size of the enclosed conduit 2 , which would impede the flow of liquids, or should create as little as possible. Although any bend in the tube body 1 and enclosed conduit 2 , even at constant profile and size, will have some small effect, maintaining the constant profile and size should prevent significant disturbance of the flow.
- the sectional profile and size of the enclosed conduit 2 is maintained constant from the distal end 3 through approximately 90% of the length of the tube body 1 .
- the sectional profile of the enclosed conduit 2 and the enclosing tube body 1 change to the oblong profile of the proximal end 4 .
- a transition segment 5 is provided near the proximal end 4 .
- the transition segment 5 provides a smooth gradual transition from the substantially round profile at the distal end through approximately 90% of the length of the tube body, to the oblong profile at the proximal end 4 .
- the profile is changed gradually and without creating internal obstructions or areas which would promote turbulence or impede the flow of liquid.
- the lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw 10 can be provided in embodiments made from several different materials suitable for use with food and beverages.
- Stainless steel is appropriate for a reusable straw which will need to be cleaned and will need to be kept at hand.
- Durable plastics and rubbers, such as silicon rubber, are appropriate for a reusable straw which will also need to be cleaned and kept available.
- Paper having a fluid-resistant and stiffening coating is appropriate for a disposable straw.
- plastic straws as presently made are not favored because of environmental pollution and damage, a straw could be made of a lightweight degradable or biodegradable plastic or plastic blended with materials such as corn starch.
- Straws made from paper, lightweight degradable plastic, or softer materials such as some silicon rubbers will be inherently susceptible to collapsing or failing when excessive differences in pressure or suction build up inside or are applied to the straw. Where the lips of the user are required to be puckered and placed under strain, it is likely that excessive suction or pressure sufficient to collapse a lightweight straw is being applied.
- the lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw 10 controls such excessive differences in pressure or suction, as treated below, and therefore can be made from paper, lightweight degradable plastics, and softer silicon rubbers.
- the sectional profile of the enclosed conduit 2 is changed from substantially round to oblong in a smooth transition through the transition segment 5 .
- the sectional profile is changed, the sectional area or circumference or size of the enclosed conduit 2 is not reduced because reduction of the sectional area would act as a choke or obstruction, which would require greater draw or suction from the mouth of the user, which would consequently put more strain on the lips of the user.
- the tube body 1 of the lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw 10 is made from thinner or relatively weaker material, such as paper or thin biodegradable plastic, a significant change of pressure inside of or applied to a small area of the straw might cause a structural failure in that area of the straw.
- the sectional area or circumference of the enclosed conduit 2 at the proximal end 4 is substantially equal to the sectional area at the distal end 3 and throughout approximately 90% of the tube body 1 .
- the drawing or suction force required to initiate a flow and to sustain a flow should be substantially the same as would be required through a conventional straw of the same dimensions, and should be substantially evenly distributed along the tube body 1 . This even distribution of force allows lighter materials such as paper or degradable plastics to be used without susceptibility to collapse or failure.
- the sectional area or circumference of the enclosed conduit 2 at the proximal end 4 is greater than the sectional area at the distal end 3 and throughout approximately 90% of the tube body.
- liquid passing through the transition segment 5 will effectively move into a larger tube with a resulting change of pressure.
- the drawing or suction force required to initiate and to sustain a flow can be applied over a longer amount of time and can therefore be done with less instantaneous strain on the lips.
- too much drawing or suction force is applied to this embodiment, it is somewhat more likely that lighter materials such as paper or degradable plastic might collapse or fail.
Abstract
A lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw providing a tube body defining an enclosed conduit for a flow of liquid. The tube body and enclosed conduit have a substantially round sectional profile at a distal end meant to be placed into a container of liquid, and a substantially oblong sectional profile at a proximal end meant to be placed between lips of a user and to be accommodated by the lips of the user without requiring puckering or pursing of the lips. The sectional profile of the enclosed conduit changes from a round profile at the distal end and through approximately 90 percent of the tube body to an oblong profile at the proximal end, with the change of profile occurring at a transition segment near the proximal end. An optional bending segment can be provided to provide a bend in the tube body or allow the user to make such a bend. The sectional area or circumference of the enclosed conduit at the proximal end is not less than the sectional area at the distal end.
Description
- This invention provides a lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw having a substantially oblong sectional profile at a proximal end meant to be placed between lips of a user and to be accommodated by the lips of the user without requiring puckering or pursing of the lips.
- The use of drinking straws can have the undesirable effect of promoting permanent creasing of the upper lip due to the tendency and the need for puckering or pursing of the lips.
- Most drinking straws now are made of plastic and are disposable, and environmental pollution from those plastic straws has become a significant problem. But sturdier, reusable straws must be cleaned and must be carried around to be at hand for use. Disposable straws can be made from paper, and can be made from different lightweight degradable or biodegradable plastics or blends of plastics and other materials. But such disposable paper or lightweight degradable plastic straws are susceptible to collapse or failure in circumstances where too much suction is applied to a straw and where the design of the straw allows for concentrations and differences of suction or pressure to bear upon a small area.
- What is needed is a lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw having a proximal end shaped and sized for accommodation by lips of a user, and having changes of sectional profile which promote the smoother flow of liquid, allowing for use of the straw with less puckering, and allowing for use of better lightweight and disposable materials without susceptibility to collapse and failure.
- US Design Pat. No. D772,632 for a “Bendable Straw,” issued on Nov. 29, 2016 to assignee SNACKTOPS, INC., provides for the ornamental design, shown therein, for a bendable straw.
- US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0181348 for a “Drinking Straw,” published on Jul. 19, 2012 by inventor Elizabeth A. Koehler, discloses drinking straws that enable a user to drink a beverage without having to purse the user's lips around the straw. In one embodiment, a drinking straw has a tubular structure which includes a body portion and an upper end portion. A conduit is formed between the body portion and the upper end portion. The upper end portion has an elongated outer periphery which enables a user to create a seal between the user's lips and the outer periphery of the upper end portion without pursing the user's lips. The upper end portion may have a triangular shape. The conduit through the straw may have a constant cross-sectional area, or it may vary. The drinking straw may have solid lateral portions. The upper end portion of the straw may be detachable from the body portion of the straw and replaceable on a different body portion.
- US Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0079453 for a “KoffieStraw,” published on Mar. 23, 2017 by inventors Rita Diorio et al., discloses a drinking straw for transferring fluids with a body shaped as a cylindrical tube and one aperture. The body includes a first end, a second end, and an outer surface. Furthermore, the aperture extends from the first end of the body to the second end of the body and the aperture defines an inner surface. Additionally, the straw includes an angle point where the upper region of the straw is displaced at a fixed angle with respect to the lower region. Both the outer surface of the straw and the inner surface have the same non-circular shape.
- German Patent Application Publication No. 202019106822 for a “Drinking Straw,” published on Dec. 19, 2019 by applicant MONOFLO PRODUKTIONS GMBH & CO KG, discloses a drinking straw comprising a tubular base body made of metallic material, which has a first cylindrical section at one free end and a second cylindrical section at the other free end, wherein between the first section and the second section, a third section designed as a corrugated tube is arranged, the first section, the second section and the third section being made of the same material and in one piece, and wherein the first section formed free end forms a drinking opening, the cross section of the drinking opening being smaller than the cross section of the base body.
- US Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0068854 for a “Straw for Dispensing Fluids,” published on Mar. 21, 2013 by inventor Drawn Martha Miracle, discloses a straw for dispensing fluids that includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an outer surface, and at least one aperture extending from the first end to the second end defining an inner surface. The aperture has a non-circular cross-sectional shape, such as an oval, an ellipse, a tear drop, and the like. The straw is made of a durable, non-toxic material, such as thermoplastic material that is suitable to withstand a temperature of the fluid of up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit, while preventing toxin release related to common cold beverage straws when immersed in hot beverages.
- Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2010-0010011 for “A Horizontal Wide Straw for Liquid Food,” published on Oct. 13, 2010 by inventor , discloses a straw characterized by a shape in which the suction port is widened left and right for when the user wants to sell and drink fluids such as porridge, rice wine, soup, etc. in the form of takeaway beverages. The intake of the straw is extended from side to side and horizontally, and by providing a straw with a wider intake area, hot and granular fluids can be easily consumed for meal replacement in the form of take-out beverages.
- Australian Patent Application Publication No. 2009100923 for a “Drinking Mouthpiece,” published on Oct. 22, 2009 by applicant Smilestraw Pty Ltd, discloses a drinking attachment comprising an elongated resilient mouthpiece through which liquid flows, wherein the mouthpiece has a curved longitudinal top profile for lying against a substantial length of the hard palate of a mouth, and a forward end of the mouthpiece has an elongated cross sectional profile.
- U.S. Pat. No. 1,223,933 for an “Artificial Imbibing Straw,” issued on Apr. 24, 1917 to inventor Paul H. Can, provides for an artificial straw comprising a tube, the cross section of which is provided with a short diameter and a long diameter forming two longitudinal parallel substantially flat walls connected by longitudinally extending end walls, whereby a single opening is of substantially elliptical form.
- This invention provides a lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw providing a tube body defining an enclosed conduit for a flow of liquid. The tube body and enclosed conduit have a substantially round sectional profile at a distal end meant to be placed into a container of liquid, and a substantially oblong sectional profile at a proximal end meant to be placed between lips of a user and to be accommodated by the lips of the user without requiring puckering or pursing of the lips. The sectional profile of the enclosed conduit changes from a round profile at the distal end and through approximately 90 percent of the tube body to an oblong profile at the proximal end, with the change of profile occurring at a transition segment near the proximal end. An optional bending segment can be provided to provide a bend in the tube body or allow the user to make such a bend. The sectional area or circumference of the enclosed conduit at the proximal end is not less than the sectional area at the distal end, providing control of suction and pressure, thereby reducing the need for puckering or pursing of the lips, and also allowing use of lightweight materials such as paper, degradable plastic, or soft silicon rubber with a reduced tendency for collapsing.
- Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of three instances of the lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of the invention in bent and unbent embodiments; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of the invention in use; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of the invention; -
FIG. 4 is an axial view of the lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of the invention; -
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of the invention showing a projection of internal dimensions; and -
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw having an enclosed conduit larger at the proximal end than at the distal end. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , the lip-pucker avoidingdrinking straw 10 provides atube body 1 defining an enclosedconduit 2 for a flow of liquid. Thetube body 1 has adistal end 3 meant to be placed into a container of liquid, and aproximal end 4 meant to be placed between lips of a user. The sectional profile of the enclosedconduit 2 changes from one profile at thedistal end 3 to another profile at theproximal end 4, as treated in detail below, with the change of profile occurring at atransition segment 5. In an optional and preferred embodiment anoptional bending segment 6 can be provided to provide a bend in thetube body 1 or allow the user to make such a bend. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , theproximal end 4 of thetube body 1 is shaped to be accommodated by the lips of the user without requiring puckering or pursing of the lips. The sectional profile of theproximal end 4 is a rounded oblong. When positioned during use the short dimension of the oblong profile runs vertically as a height, and the long dimension runs horizontally as a width. The lips of the user require only a slight parting to accommodate theproximal end 4. The greater part of the outer surface area of the proximal end is oriented horizontally along either the top or the bottom lip. Only a lesser part of the outer surface area has any vertical component, and any air gap at the sides can be closed with just the natural compression of the lips, without any need to pucker or purse the lips into a central rounded shape. - Referring to
FIG. 3 andFIG. 4 , the sectional profile of the enclosedconduit 2 at thedistal end 3 is maintained along most of the length of thetube body 1. The sectional profile can be substantially round or circular, which is a standard profile for straws, and which promotes a more smooth, laminar flow of liquids because of the absence of corners or internal obstructions that can increase turbulence. Small deviations from a perfect circle should not significantly affect the flow of liquids. In an embodiment having anoptional bending segment 6, the bending preferably should create no change in the sectional profile or size of the enclosedconduit 2, which would impede the flow of liquids, or should create as little as possible. Although any bend in thetube body 1 and enclosedconduit 2, even at constant profile and size, will have some small effect, maintaining the constant profile and size should prevent significant disturbance of the flow. - The sectional profile and size of the
enclosed conduit 2 is maintained constant from thedistal end 3 through approximately 90% of the length of thetube body 1. Within the approximately 10% of the length of the tube body at theproximal end 4, the sectional profile of theenclosed conduit 2 and the enclosingtube body 1 change to the oblong profile of theproximal end 4. Atransition segment 5 is provided near theproximal end 4. Thetransition segment 5 provides a smooth gradual transition from the substantially round profile at the distal end through approximately 90% of the length of the tube body, to the oblong profile at theproximal end 4. The profile is changed gradually and without creating internal obstructions or areas which would promote turbulence or impede the flow of liquid. - The lip-pucker avoiding
drinking straw 10 can be provided in embodiments made from several different materials suitable for use with food and beverages. Stainless steel is appropriate for a reusable straw which will need to be cleaned and will need to be kept at hand. Durable plastics and rubbers, such as silicon rubber, are appropriate for a reusable straw which will also need to be cleaned and kept available. Paper having a fluid-resistant and stiffening coating is appropriate for a disposable straw. Although plastic straws as presently made are not favored because of environmental pollution and damage, a straw could be made of a lightweight degradable or biodegradable plastic or plastic blended with materials such as corn starch. Straws made from paper, lightweight degradable plastic, or softer materials such as some silicon rubbers will be inherently susceptible to collapsing or failing when excessive differences in pressure or suction build up inside or are applied to the straw. Where the lips of the user are required to be puckered and placed under strain, it is likely that excessive suction or pressure sufficient to collapse a lightweight straw is being applied. The lip-pucker avoidingdrinking straw 10 controls such excessive differences in pressure or suction, as treated below, and therefore can be made from paper, lightweight degradable plastics, and softer silicon rubbers. - Referring to
FIG. 5 andFIG. 6 , the sectional profile of theenclosed conduit 2 is changed from substantially round to oblong in a smooth transition through thetransition segment 5. Although the sectional profile is changed, the sectional area or circumference or size of theenclosed conduit 2 is not reduced because reduction of the sectional area would act as a choke or obstruction, which would require greater draw or suction from the mouth of the user, which would consequently put more strain on the lips of the user. Additionally, where thetube body 1 of the lip-pucker avoidingdrinking straw 10 is made from thinner or relatively weaker material, such as paper or thin biodegradable plastic, a significant change of pressure inside of or applied to a small area of the straw might cause a structural failure in that area of the straw. - In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 5 , the sectional area or circumference of theenclosed conduit 2 at theproximal end 4 is substantially equal to the sectional area at thedistal end 3 and throughout approximately 90% of thetube body 1. Using this embodiment, the drawing or suction force required to initiate a flow and to sustain a flow should be substantially the same as would be required through a conventional straw of the same dimensions, and should be substantially evenly distributed along thetube body 1. This even distribution of force allows lighter materials such as paper or degradable plastics to be used without susceptibility to collapse or failure. - In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 6 , the sectional area or circumference of theenclosed conduit 2 at theproximal end 4 is greater than the sectional area at thedistal end 3 and throughout approximately 90% of the tube body. Using this embodiment, liquid passing through thetransition segment 5 will effectively move into a larger tube with a resulting change of pressure. Using this embodiment, the drawing or suction force required to initiate and to sustain a flow can be applied over a longer amount of time and can therefore be done with less instantaneous strain on the lips. However, if too much drawing or suction force is applied to this embodiment, it is somewhat more likely that lighter materials such as paper or degradable plastic might collapse or fail. - Many other changes and modifications can be made in the system and method of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I therefore pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (17)
1. A lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw comprising:
(i) a tube body having a long axis and having a distal end and a proximal end in use, defining an enclosed conduit having a sectional profile which is substantially round at said distal end and through approximately 90 percent of said tube body, and having a sectional profile which is substantially oblong at said proximal end; and
(ii) a transition segment of said tube body and said enclosed conduit, near said proximal end, having a sectional profile which changes gradually from the substantially round profile of said distal end through approximately 90 percent of said tube body to the substantially oblong profile of said proximal end of said tube body;
where the sectional area of said enclosed conduit at said proximal end and through said transition segment is not substantially less than the sectional area of said enclosed conduit at said distal end through approximately 90 percent of said tube body.
2. The lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of claim 1 , further comprising a bending segment adapted to provide a bend in said tube body.
3. The lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of claim 1 , further comprising said tube body made of stainless steel.
4. The lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of claim 1 , further comprising said tube body made of durable plastic.
5. The lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of claim 1 , further comprising said tube body made of silicon rubber.
6. The lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of claim 1 , further comprising said tube body made of paper.
7. The lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of claim 1 , further comprising said tube body made of lightweight degradable plastic.
8. The lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of claim 1 , where the sectional area of said enclosed conduit at said proximal end and through said transition segment not substantially less than the sectional area of said enclosed conduit at said distal end through approximately 90 percent of said tube body is further not substantially greater than the sectional area of said enclosed conduit at said distal end through approximately 90 percent of said tube body.
9. The lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of claim 1 , where the sectional area of said enclosed conduit at said proximal end and through said transition segment not substantially less than the sectional area of said enclosed conduit at said distal end through approximately 90 percent of said tube body is further greater than the sectional area of said enclosed conduit at said distal end through approximately 90 percent of said tube body.
10. A lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw comprising:
(i) a tube body having a long axis and having a distal end and a proximal end in use, defining an enclosed conduit having a sectional profile which is substantially round at said distal end and through approximately 90 percent of said tube body, and having a sectional profile which is substantially oblong at said proximal end;
(ii) a bending segment adapted to provide a bend in said tube body; and
(iii) a transition segment of said tube body and said enclosed conduit, near said proximal end, having a sectional profile which changes gradually from the substantially round profile of said distal end through approximately 90 percent of said tube body to the substantially oblong profile of said proximal end of said tube body;
where the sectional area of said enclosed conduit at said proximal end and through said transition segment is not substantially less than the sectional area of said enclosed conduit at said distal end through approximately 90 percent of said tube body.
11. The lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of claim 10 , further comprising said tube body made of stainless steel.
12. The lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of claim 10 , further comprising said tube body made of durable plastic.
13. The lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of claim 10 , further comprising said tube body made of silicon rubber.
14. The lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of claim 10 , further comprising said tube body made of paper.
15. The lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of claim 10 , further comprising said tube body made of lightweight degradable plastic.
16. The lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of claim 10 , where the sectional area of said enclosed conduit at said proximal end and through said transition segment not substantially less than the sectional area of said enclosed conduit at said distal end through approximately 90 percent of said tube body is further not substantially greater than the sectional area of said enclosed conduit at said distal end through approximately 90 percent of said tube body.
17. The lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw of claim 10 , where the sectional area of said enclosed conduit at said proximal end and through said transition segment not substantially less than the sectional area of said enclosed conduit at said distal end through approximately 90 percent of said tube body is further greater than the sectional area of said enclosed conduit at said distal end through approximately 90 percent of said tube body.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US17/411,890 US20230061489A1 (en) | 2021-08-25 | 2021-08-25 | Lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw |
US18/387,711 US20240074605A1 (en) | 2021-08-25 | 2023-11-07 | Lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US17/411,890 US20230061489A1 (en) | 2021-08-25 | 2021-08-25 | Lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw |
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US18/387,711 Continuation-In-Part US20240074605A1 (en) | 2021-08-25 | 2023-11-07 | Lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw |
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US20230061489A1 true US20230061489A1 (en) | 2023-03-02 |
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US17/411,890 Pending US20230061489A1 (en) | 2021-08-25 | 2021-08-25 | Lip-pucker avoiding drinking straw |
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US (1) | US20230061489A1 (en) |
Citations (5)
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US3409224A (en) * | 1967-03-13 | 1968-11-05 | Union Carbide Corp | Flexible drinking tube |
WO2000003945A1 (en) * | 1998-07-17 | 2000-01-27 | Fastrak Systems, Inc. | Personal hydration system with an improved mouthpiece |
US20120181348A1 (en) * | 2011-01-13 | 2012-07-19 | Koehler Elizabeth A | Drinking Straw |
US20170079453A1 (en) * | 2015-09-21 | 2017-03-23 | Rita Diorio | KoffieStraw |
US20190246823A1 (en) * | 2018-11-22 | 2019-08-15 | Chih Chin Lai | Environmentally-friendly fiber straw structure |
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2021
- 2021-08-25 US US17/411,890 patent/US20230061489A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3409224A (en) * | 1967-03-13 | 1968-11-05 | Union Carbide Corp | Flexible drinking tube |
WO2000003945A1 (en) * | 1998-07-17 | 2000-01-27 | Fastrak Systems, Inc. | Personal hydration system with an improved mouthpiece |
US20120181348A1 (en) * | 2011-01-13 | 2012-07-19 | Koehler Elizabeth A | Drinking Straw |
US20170079453A1 (en) * | 2015-09-21 | 2017-03-23 | Rita Diorio | KoffieStraw |
US20190246823A1 (en) * | 2018-11-22 | 2019-08-15 | Chih Chin Lai | Environmentally-friendly fiber straw structure |
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