US943879A - Dust-proof receptacle for tubular straws. - Google Patents

Description

J. HURLEY. DUST PROOF REGEPTAGLE FOR TUBULAR STRAWS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.15, 1909.

Patented Dec. 21, 1909.

JOHN HURLEY, OF LITTLE FALLS,

NEW YORK.

DUST-PROOF RECEPTACLE FOR. TUBULAR STRAWS.

erases.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 21, 1909.

Application filed April 15, 1909. Serial No. 490,177.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN Homer, a citizen of the United States, residing at Little Falls, in the county of Herkimer and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dust-Proof Receptacles for Tubular Straws, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a dust-proof receptacle for tubular straws.

()ne object of the invention is to provide a receptacle for drinking straws embodying such clmracteristics that but one straw at a time may be removed from the receptacle.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a receptacle which is dustproof, and which provides for the withdrawal of the straw therefrom in such a way as to obviate the possibility of a person grasping a straw at any but its intermediate point, so that if one person withdraws one straw, and while he might in the operation engage other straws, he will not engage the other straws either at the ends which the subsequent user will place in his mouth or in the soda water or other liquid which may be drawn through the tubes.

\Vith the above and other objects in view, the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, proportion size and minor details without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings :Fignre 1 is an elevation of the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view. F 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 1(( of Fig. 1.

eferring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, the reference character 1 indicates a base upon which is mounted a hollow cylindrical shaped member 2. whose upper end 3 is closed and provided with a cavity l, there being oppositely disposed slots in the sides of the cylindrical member 2 which slots are enlarged at (i intermediate their ends for a purpose presently explained, there being a sanitary gauze bed 7 disposed upon the base 1 at the bottom of the cylindrical member 2.

The character 8 indicates a cylindrical body which envelops the inner member 9 and which has a closed upper end at 9 provided with an interior depending bearing 10 adapted to [it in the cavity -'l: in the top 1-) of the inner member so that the outer member 8 may be rotated upon the inner member The outer member 8 is cylindrical in formation and has oppositely disposed slots 11 which are enlarged at 12 and which are adapted to be rotated into and out of registration with the slots 5 of the inner member 2, so that access may be had to the inner member 2 when the slots of the two members are in alinement for the purpose of inserting or withdrawing the straws 15 from the inner member. The outer cylindrical member 8 has its lower end terminating short of the base 1 and it is provided with :1 depending projection 13 which is adapted to engage a stop ll on the inner member 1. to insure a positive alinement of the slots 5 and ll of the respective members, so that access may be readily had to the interior of the inner member 2. The outer member 8 has its slots normally out of alinement with the slots of the inner member 2 to provide for a dust-proof receptacle. In other words, when the outer member is rotated to dispose its slots out of alinement with the slots of the inner member, the interior of the inner member 2 is not subject to the collection of dust. A person desirous of using a straw simply rotates the outer member upon its pivotal bearing 10 until its slots 11 aline with the slots 5 of the inner member. This alinement of the slots is insured by virtue of the stop 14: of the inner member being engaged by the projection 13 of the outer member. When the slots have been alined. as just stated, the person desirous of using a straw may insert his thumb and forefinger in the enlarged parts (3 and 12 of the slots and 11, respectively, and thereby grasp a straw. which he may withdraw from the receptacle and by virtue of the slots 5 and 11 being cinnparatively narrow.the prospective user of the straw can withdraw but one straw at a time. However, by his manipulation of the straw and withdrawingit from the receptacle, his lingers will contact with other straws of the receptacle. I therefore provide the enlarged parts of the slots intermediate their ends so that a prospective user in contacting with other straws in withdrawing the one he desires to use, his fingers will not.- engage the other straws at their ends but intermediate their ends only, whereby all users of the straws take hold of the straws at points above which the straws are subsequently dipped into the liquid of a glass and to that portion thereof which is brought into contact with the lips of the user. It will be noted that the enlarged por tions 6 and 12 of the slots 5 and 11, respectively, are nearer the tops of the slots than the lower ends thereof.

If desired I may eliminate the outer member and employ the inner member only, the only difference resulting in this change being that in the use of the inner member only the slots thereof are not closed at any time.

Theinner and outer members and base or other elements of which the receptacle may be composed may be formed of glass, metal, porcelain, or any other suitable material, but the characteristic features of the invention, as herein outlined, will be apparent in the device in so far as the scope and spirit of the appended claims will permit for the production of a dust-proof or other receptacle for tubular drinking straws and pro vide for a single delivery of the straws.

\Vhat is claimed is 1. A tubular straw holder comprising a fixed hollow inner member, and an enveloping outer member rotatably mounted upon the inner member, each member having oppositely disposed slots, each slot being enlarged intermediate its ends, the inner member having a stop and the outer member having a projection for engagement with said stop to limit the rotative movement of the outer member when the slots of the members are brought into alinement.

2. A tubular straw holder comprising a fixed hollow inner member, and an enveloping outer member rotatably mounted upon the inner member, each member having a slot which is enlarged intermediate its ends, the inner member having a stop and the outer member having a projection for engagement with said stop to limit the ro tative movement of the outer member when the slots of themembers alinement.

V An article holder comprising a receptacle composed of inner and outer members, one member being rotative with respect to the other member and each member having a comparatively narrow vertical slot which is enlarged intermediate its ends nearer the top than at the bottom of the slots whereby a single straw at a time may be withdrawn from the receptacle when the slots of the two members are brought into alinementand whereby the receptacle is rendered dustproof when the slots of the two members are out of alinement.

4. A tubular straw holder, comprising a fixed hollow inner member, and an enveloping outer member, rot-atably mounted upon the inner member; each member having oppositely disposed slots, adapted to be brought into and out of alinement, to permit of the withdrawal of the straws, when the slots are in alinement; each of said slots having an enlarged portion intermediate its ends.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses;

JOHN HURLEY. \Vitnesses Gno. A. DECKER, LUTHER M. KANE.

are brought into

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