May l, 1951 J. B. FRIEDMAN 2,550,797

FLEXIBLE DRINKING STRAW Filed June 5; 1948 /atented lViay "UNITED STATES *PATENT ortica FLEXIBLE DRINKING s'rRAW Joseph-B. Friedman, Maywood, Calif.

Application June 5, 1948, ySerial No. 31,382

3 Claims.

This invention relates to Yimprovements in drinking tubes and, more particularly, to that type of drinking tube known as a drinking straw.

The drinking straw whichv is provided by my invention comprises a generally cylindrical body having smooth end portions and an intermediate corrugated or convoluted portion which is adapted to permit one'of the end portions of the straws embodying convoluted, intermediate portions. As indicated above, the exible nature of the straws permitted the end portions thereof to r"depart rfrom -the vertical axes of the 'straws straw to be bent from the vertical axis thereof into a position which will permit the person ldrawing liquid through the drinking straw to bend the end portion of the drinking straw into a position which permits the person drinking to more readily and easily imbibe liquid through the straw.

A drinking straw invented vby me, andsomewhat similar in type to that disclosed by me in this application, is shown in United States' Patent No. 2,094,268, issued on September 28, 1937. The

vdrinking straw shown in'my previous patent,

while a considerable advance over the prior art in that it provided a straw which was constituted by two end portions having a `generally cylindrical shape and a smooth periphery joined together by an integral, intermediate, flexible portion which wouldd permit the end portions 'to'be displaced from the vertical axis of thestraw, nevertheless, had certain inherent disadvantages which jit is an object of the present invention to overcome.

Drinking straws constructed in accordance vwith my previous invention had their intermediate, exible, convoluted portions so constructed v that the ridges of the convolutions projected beyond the peripheral areasof the adjacent end portions. Thus, when straws so constructed were 'packed into the containers `from whichthey were to be dispensed, lthe intermediateportions of adjacent straws became intermeshed onewith another in such a manner that thev withdrawal of 5 one straw occasioned the'inadvert'ent, simultaneous withdrawal of straws whose intermediate, -flexible portionsV were in contact with -the interl mediate, lexible'portion of the strawv which was Withdrawn. Therefore, the withdrawal of one straw necessitated the simultaneous withdrawal of several other straws and since it was diicult to 'replace the inadvertently withdrawn straws in the dispensing container,"these strawsr were fre- -quently discarded by theA person' withdrawing them. As can be readily appreciated, considerable wastage resulted.

In addition, packaging of straws constructed in accordance "with my previous invention was `rather'diiiicult because of the' flexible nature of Thus, when the straws were in the process of being packaged, it was very diiicult to so align the straws that they could be readily enclosed in the dispensing container.

Furthermore, in straws constructed in -accordance with my prior' patent, the incorporation jofthe intermediate, flexible portion permitted theend portions 'of such a straw which projected from the mouth of a vessel or the neck of a bottle Vfrom which liquid was to be imbibed, to droop vover the edge of the vessel or bottle immediately upon the placing of vthe straw in the vessel or bottle. Thus, it was necessary for thel person utilizing the straw to hold the end of the straw in his fingers While he-was drawing liquid therethrough. Also, when the Vstraw was removed A from the mouth of the person utilizing it, the

end portion would once again droop over the edge of the container and it occasionally happened that fluid remaining in the upper end of vthe straw-would leak upon the surface on which the container was situated, thus creating an untidy and unsanitary condition.

As may befclearly seen from a consultation of my previous patent, the convolutions provided intermediate the smooth end portions ofl the straw were arranged transversely of the central vertical axis'of the straw. These transverse cor- "rugations, while achieving their purpose of percordance with my previous invention.

It is, therefore, a primary object of my invention to provide a drinking straw having a generally cylindrical shape and composed of two smooth-surfaced end portions joined together by an intermediate, convoluted, flexible portion adapted to-permit eitherof 'the end portions to assume a position divergent from the vertical central axis of the straw, which 'isso constructed that the intermediate, flexible 'portion of the straw will not ordinarily become intermeshed to the widest diameter of either of the end portions of said straw.

vAnother object of my invention is the provision of a drinking straw having generally cylindrical, smooth surfaced end portions joined by an integral, intermediate, flexible portion adapted to permit the divergence of either end portion from the vertical central axis of said straw, Which'has applied to the surface thereof a coating of a frangible, plastic substance which is adapted to temporarily rigidify the flexible,` intermediate portion of the straw to facilitate the packaging of said straw. Thus,l difficulties encountered in packing prior art straws because of their flexible nature are avoided. Y

An additional object of my invention is the provision of a drinking straw having an intermediate, flexible portion which has deposited thereupon a coating of a frangible, plastic material adapted to render the intermediate flexible portion temporarily rigid, which plastic material will readily fracture when one end of the straw is adjusted into a position divergent from the central vertical axis of said straw, but which will nevertheless retain a sufficient amount of rigidity to sustain the divergent end of said straw in the position into which it has been initially adjusted. Thus, diiculties encountered in prior art straws because of the drooping of the end portion thereof are avoided in straws constructed in accordance with my present invention.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a drinking straw having an intermediate, flexible portion which is adapted to permit the divergence of either end of said straw from the vertical central axis thereof and which is constituted by a helix or spiral. The helix or spiral provides a continuous ridge and an associated continuous groove for the entire length of the flexible, intermediate portion of the straw. The construction and formation of the intermediate, exible portion of the straw in the shape of a spiral materially strengthen the straw and permit the more effective distribution of the frangible, plastic, stiifening substance upon the intermediate, flexible portion of the straw. In addition, the frangible, plastic, stiifening substance which is deposited in the continuous groove formed by the spiral provides a columnar effect which tends to make the stiffening action of the plastic substance more eifective.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification and drawing, which is for the purpose of illustration only, and in which:

Fig. l is a vertical elevational View of an apparatus adapted to be utilized in the construction or formation of straws made in accordance with my present invention;

Fig. 2 is a partly elevational, partly sectional view taken on the broken line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, longitudinal sectional view of a straw formed in accordance with my invention showing the manner in which the frangible plastic stiffening substance is deposited upon the surface of the intermediate, flexible portion of the straw; f Y,

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a flexible drinking straw constructed in accordance with my invention; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a flexible drinking straw constructed in accordance with my invention in the position in which it may be disposed when in use.

Referring now to the drawing, as best shown in Figs. 3 and el, I show an adjustable drinking straw I which is preferably formed of readily deformable material, and which has a generally cylindrical, smooth surfaced end portion i I joined to a generally cylindrical, smooth surfaced end portion i2 through the medium of an integral, intermediate, flexible, convoluted portion I3. The provision of the intermediate, flexible portion i3 joining the smooth surfaced, generally cylindrical end portions Ii and I2 permits either of said end portions ii or I2, when said straw is in use, to be positioned at an angle divergent from the central vertical axis of said straw to facilitate the utilization oi said straw by an individual who intends to use the straw.

The utilization of a readily deformable material in the formation of the drinking Straw I0 permits the intermediate, flexible portion I3 to be more readily7 formed in the body of the-straw. The intermediate, flexible portion I3 of the drinking straw Ii) is constituted by a spiral or helix which provides a continuous ridge running the length of the intermediate, flexible portion and an alternate continuous groove which also runs the length of said intermediate, flexible portion. The construction of the intermediate, flexible portion of the straw by the utilization of a spiral or helix materially strengthens the straw in this region and is a considerable advance over the transverse corrugations disclosed in my previous patent.

As best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, there is deposited upon the surface of the intermediate, flexible portion I3 of the drinking straw I a coating of a frangible, plastic substance I6 which is deposited upon the alternately disposed ridge Ill and groove I5 of the intermediate portion I3 of the straw lil.

The deposition of the plastic, frangible coating I5 upon the intermediate, flexible portion I3 of the straw I serves to temporarily render the intermediate, ilexible'portion of the straw rigid and'thus permits the straw Ii! to be as easily handled in packaging as conventional straws. In addition, as can be observed from the drawing, the frangible, plastic coating tends to become more thickly deposited in the groove I5 of the spiral or helix and thus provides a continuous ribbon or band of increased thickness which substantially enhances the stiffening effect of the plastic, frangible'coating. In addition to temporarily stilfening the intermediate, flexible portion I3 of the straw IU and thus permitting the packaging of the straw to `be facilitated, the plastic frangible coating I6 also permits the more effective adjustment ofthe end of the straw into a desired position.

When straws constructed in accordance with my previous invention were removed from the dispensing package and inserted in the mouth of a Vessel or the neck of a bottle, the end of the straw which vprojected from said vvessel or bottle would immediately droop over the side of the vessel or bottle. Thus, the user of the straw had to hold the straw in his lingers at all times when he was drawing liquid therethrough. When he released the straw there was a tendency for liquid contained in the end of the straw to be deposited cific needs.

5 f pon thefsurface on which the vessel ory bottle rested.

r,By providing the intermediate; flexible portion I3 of the straw I0 with a coating IS of frangible, plastic material, I aml able to produce a straw which, when placed in the mouth of a vessel or the neck of a bottle, will `statici therein with the end portion projecting from said Vessel or bottle ,aligned with the `Vertical central axis of said straw. The immediate drooping `of the end of an angle divergent from the vertical central axis of saidstraw which is most suitable to his spe- Further, when he has adjusted the endl of the straw to this angle, the plastic coating uponthe intermediate, eXible portion of the straw, although partially fractured, will serve to Aretain the end portion of the straw in the position into `which it has been initially adjusted.

The manner in which-the upper end portion II of the straw I0 is maintained in its adjusted position'ismost clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the draw- -ing where the straw is shown disposed in the Y neck of a bottle I1. I thus provide va straw which Ais capable of being adjusted to a position suited y to the needs of the user of the straw and which lwill remain in the adjusted position. The adjustable nature of my straw makes it most desirable for use in hospitals and similar institutions where a bedridden individual is incapable of holding the end of the straw in his lingers while he draws `liquid therethrough. It is possible for the attendant who places the straw in the vessel in i which the liquid is contained to adjust the straw to the most desirable angle and be sure that the end .of the straw will not diverge from the initially adjusted position. y

I provide an apparatus or machine I3, as best shown in Fig. 1, adapted to effectively manufacvture straws constructed in accordance with my present invention and including a frame I3 of generally L-shaped conguration having a bed 2| to which it is rigidly but movably secured.

i Formed integrally with the frame I9 and the apparatus I8 is an outwardly projecting lower arm 22 which has positioned on its outermost end a lower fixed shoe 23 of generally arcuate conguration. Formed upon the upper surface of the lower fixed shoe 23 is an integral die member 24 which is adapted to form the spiral con- Volutions of the intermediate, exible portion I3 ofthe -straw I0 in a manner which will be described below.

Secured upon an upstanding leg 25 of the apparatus IB through the medium of a pin 25 or similar fastening device is a pivotally mounted, outwardly projecting upper arm 2,1 which bears upon its outermost end an upper, arcuately shaped shoe 28. Formed integrally with the under side of the upper shoe 28 is an arcuately shaped die member 29 adapted to cooperate with -the lower die member 24 in the formation of the f flexible, intermediate portion I3 of the straw I3.

28 toward the lower arm 22 and its.associated flower'xed shoe 23. A stop seat 34 formed upon lthe upper end of the upstanding leg 425 of the machine I8 is adapted to contact-the inner end of the outwardly projecting upper arm 21 and prevent the downward declination thereof beyond a certain point.

Adapted to be interposed between the lower xed shoev 23 and the upper movable shoe 28 and to be contacted by the lower die member 24 and the upper movable die member 29v is a mandrel 35 which has formed thereupon a con- Vportion `I3 of the straw I0.

voluted central portion 33v in the'shape of a spiral or a helix. The convoluted, central portion 36 of the mandrel 35 is thus provided with a continuous ridge and an alternate continuous groove of the same conguration as that which itis desired to form in the intermediate, exible n Formed integrally upon the end of the mandrel 35 is a square, reduced end portion 39 which is adapted to be inserted removably in a square socket 49 formed in a cylindrical rotating socket member 42. The socket member 42 is xedly secured to the end of a shaft 43 which is rotatably mounted in a bearing 44 which has secured to the end thereof projecting beyond the bearing 44 a turning wheel 45 through the medium of which the` mandrel 35 is adapted to be rotated.

When a straw I0, constructed in accordance with my present invention, is to be manufactured, a generally cylindrical sleeve of readily deformabl-e material is slipped over the mandrel 35. The mandrel35 is then interposed betweentheupper and lower die members 24 and 29 and the squared end 39 thereof. is inserted` `in the socket 4ll .of the socket member 42. The interpositioning of the mandrel 35 between the upper. and lower die members v24 .and 29 is facilitated by raising the upper die member 29 against the bias of the spring 30. The frame I9 of the apparatus I3 is longitudinally movable upon the bed 2I thereof and when the mandrel 35 has been inserted in the socket member 42 the frame I9 is so shifted that the die members 23 and29 will be positioned adjacent one end of the convoluted, central, portion 35 of the mandrel 35.

Since-the die members 24 vand 29 are formed on the same pitch as the convolutions of ,the central p-orton35 of the mandrel 35, theV die memberswill t withinthe groove I5 formed thereby. The force ofthespring 30. will tend to drive the lower die member 24 and upper die member 29 into the groove I5. When the .turning wheel 45 is rotated the simultaneous rotation. ofthe shaft 43 through its connection with the.

`endof the mandrel 35 will cause the simultaneous rotation of thev mandrel and. will permit the frame I9 of the machine I3 to be shifted longitudinally along its bed 2l as the die members 24 and 29 travel through the groove I5 of the convoluted portion 3G of the mandrel 35. The die members 24 and 2S will thus form a convoluted, exible, intermediate portion in the generally cylindrical body of the straw Ill. When the forming operation is completed the upper die member 29 is raised against the force of the spring 30 and the mandrel 35 is removed from between the die membersl 24 and 29. When the mandrel 35 has been removed the straw can then be displaced from its position thereupon.

After the formation of the flexible, intermediate portion I3 in the body of the straw Ill has been accomplished, the coating of plastic, frangible stubstance is applied to the intermediate ilexible portion I3. This coating of a frangible, plastic substance can be applied tothe 4surface of the intermediate, flexible portion of the straw in any desired manner such as immersion or spray. It is also conceivable that it might be advantageous to coat the entire body of the straw with the plastic, frangible material to enhance the strength of the entire straw. I have discovered that a most ecient and suitable plastic, frangible coating material is provided byV a microcrystalline wax having a melting point of not less than 150 F. 1

As was explained above, when the plastic,

frangible coating is applied to the intermediate Lflexible portion of the straw, the intermediate flexible portion is rendered temporarily rigid. As

was also indicated, the partial fracturing of the coating of the plastic frangible substance permits the adjustment or the end portion of the straw; .it also serves to retain the end portion in the position to which it is initially adjusted. The utili- .zation of the high melting point wax described above to rigidity the intermediate Flexible portion of the straw |avoids the possible softening of the plastic coating when hot liquids are drawn through the straw. Thus, the inadvertent softening of the plastic coating and the consequent drooping of the end of the straw are avoided and Vflexible portion adapted to permit the end portion thereof to be adjusted to an angle divergent from the central vertical axis of the straw which has deposited upon the intermediate fiexible portion thereof a coating of a plastic, frangible substance which is adapted to temporarily render said intermediate flexible portion rigid to facilitate the handing of and packaging of the straws ing: an end portionhaving asmooth surface and being of generally cylindrical shapej an intermediate, flexible portion formed integrallyr with said end portion, the wall of said flexible portion being constituted by a series of convolutions, the greatest diameter of said convolutions being no greater than the largest diameter of said smooth end portion; and another end portion having a smooth surface 'and being of generally cylindrical shape formed integrally with said intermediate flexible portion. v

2. An adjustable drinking straw made of flexible material and to be utilized in drawing liquid from the interior of a suitable vessel, comprising: an end portion having a smooth surface and being of generally clyindrical shape; an intermediate, flexible portion integrally formed with said end portion, the' wall of said flexible portion being constituted by a spiral providing a continuous alternating ridge and groove for the entire length of said intermediate, flexible portion, the widest diameter of said ridge being no greater than the widest diameter of said end portion; and another end portion having a smooth surface and being of generally cylindrical shape, integrally formed with said intermediate, liexble portion.

3. An adjustable drinking straw made of flexible material and to be utilized in drawing liquid and to permit the end of the straw projecting from a vessel or a bottle to be adjusted into a Y desired position and to be retained in that position during the use of the straw.

from the interior of a suitable vessel, comprising: an end portion having a smooth surface and being of generally cylindrical conformation whose greatest diameter is no less than the greatest diameter of said straw; an intermediate, flexible portion formed integrally with said end portion, the wall of said flexible portion being constituted by a spiral which provides a continuous alternating ridge `and groove extending the entire length of said intermediate, flexible portion, with the greatest diameter of said ridge being no greater than the greatest diameter of said end portion; a coating of microcrystalline wax deposited upon the surfaces of said ridge and said groove; and another end portion having a smooth surface and being of generally cylindrical configuration the greatest diameter of whichis no less than the greatest diameter of said intermediate, flexible portion formed integrally with said end portion. JOSEPH B. FRIEDMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS