WO1991003427A1

WO1991003427A1 - Filtered drinking straw

Info

Publication number: WO1991003427A1
Application number: PCT/CA1990/000282
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael L. Smith
Original assignee: Global Star Products Limited
Priority date: 1989-09-05
Filing date: 1990-09-04
Publication date: 1991-03-21
Also published as: AU6432690A

Abstract

A filtered drinking straw (10) for reducing the amount of impurities in an aqueous solution and method for using same. The straw comprises a tube (12) having a passageway (18) containing a filtering medium (24) preferably comprising zinc and copper in particle form, and at least two plugs (20, 22) positioned to keep the filter medium in the straw. The plugs permit passage of the aqueous solution therethrough but not the passage of the filter medium.

Description

FILTERED DRINKING STRAW Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to filtering syste for aqueous solutions and more particularly to filtering syπterns contained within a drinking straw.

Summary of the Invention The present invention comprises a drinking straw for filtering an aqueous solution containing impurities an delivering t -^• filtered solution to a person's mouth. The drinking straw comprises a tube having a first end and a second end with a first passageway therethrough. The tube is sufficiently sized so that the second end of the tube contacts the aqueous solution and the first end is receivable in the person's mouth. A sufficient amount of a filter medium is dispos in the first passageway. The filter medium is capable of permitting the passage of the solution through the first passageway while reducing the amount of impurities comprising bacteria in the solution that passes through th tube.

At least two plugs are positioned in the first passageway such that the filter medium is retained in a selected area of the first passageway between the plugs. The plugs are capable of permitting the passage of the aqueous solution through the plugs but will not permit the passage of the filter medium through the plugs.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET The present invention also comprises a method for reducing impurities in an aqueous solution containing impurities consumed by a person. The second end of the above described drinking straw is placed in the solution and the first end is sucked to draw the solution through the tube and into the person's mouth.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, taken along lines 2-2.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, taken along lines 3-3.

Fig. 4 is a bottom end view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly Figs. 1 and 2, the drinking straw of the present invention, generally designated by the numeral 10, comprises a tube 12 having an outer periphery 13, a first end 14 and a second end 16 with a first passageway 18 therethrough defining an interior wall 19; two plugs 20 and 22 positioned in the first passageway 18; and a filter medium 24 disposed between plugs 20 and 22.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET The tube 12 may be of any length or configuration suitable for the purpose of the present invention as stated herein. Generally, a linear tube of about seven inches fro the first end 14 to the second end 16 is sufficient. Another embodiment of the present invention (not shown), angles about the upper third of the tube about twenty to forty degrees in order to facilitate drinking from the stra when the straw is positioned in a glass or other container. The tube 12 may be of any diameter suited for the purpose of the present invention. Preferably the tube 12 has a consistent diameter from the first end 14 to the second end 16. The second end 16 contacts the solution which is preferably in a container such as a glass or aluminum can. Therefore it is preferable that the second end 16 of the tube 12 is capable of fitting into a containe such as the ring-top opening of an aluminum can. In a preferred embodiment, the tube 12 has a consistent diameter of about 10 mm.

The tube 12 has .the first passageway 18 from the first end 14 of the tube 12 to the second end 16 of the tub 12, whereby a solution received by the second end 16 of the tube may pass through the first passageway 18 to the first end 14 of the tube 12 and into the user's mouth. The first passageway 18 may be of any diameter which will permit a sufficient amount of filter medium 24 (as described

SUBSTITUTE SHEET hereafter) to be positioned in the first passageway 18 and permit the flow of the solution from the second end 16 of the tube 12 to the first end 14 of the tube 12 while in operation. In a preferred embodiment, a first passageway 18 diameter of about 6 mm in a 10 mm tube has been found to be sufficient.

The tube 12 may be constructed from any suitable material which can be exposed to an aqueous solution and be safe for human consumption. The tube 12 is preferably constructed from a durable material capable of retaining and not substantially interacting with the filter medium as defined hereafter. Acceptable materials for constructing the tube 12 are glass, acrylic, polycarbonate or styrene.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a seven inch, linear, clear acrylic tube with a 10 mm diameter having a first passageway diameter of about 6 mm.

The present invention may further include a mouthpiece 26 having a first end 28 and a second end 30 with a second passageway 32 therethrough. The second end 30 of the mouthpiece 26 is sized to telescope over and frictionally fit on the first end 14 of the tube 12 as shown in Fig. 2. The first end 28 of the mouthpiece 26 preferably tapers inward to more comfortably fit in the user's mouth. As shown in Fig. 1, the tapering of the mouthpiece 26 begins at a taper point 34. The distance between the second end 30

SUBSTITUTE SHEET of the mouthpiece 26 and the taper point 34 is sufficient for the mouthpiece 26 to frictionally fit over and be supported by the first end 14 of the tube 12. The mouthpiece 26 may be permanently attached to the tube 12 o fit snugly enough to remain thereon unless manually removed. Alternatively, the mouthpiece 26 may be formed a a part of the tube 12.

The second passageway 32 is sized sufficiently t receive the solution from the first passageway 18 of the tube 12 without significantly impeding the flow thereof. Preferably the diameter of the second end 30 of the mouthpiece 26 is only slightly larger than the diameter of the tube 12 with the first end 28 of the mouthpiece 26 tapering slightly inward therefrom. The mouthpiece is constructed from a material which is durable and safely compatible with aqueous solutions for human consumption, and preferably slightly flexible in order to fit more snugly over the tube 12 and more comfortable in the mouth. In a preferred embodiment, the distance from the first end 28 of the mouthpiece 26 to the second end 30 of the mouthpiece 26 is about 3.75 cm, with a distance from the second end 30 to the taper point of 1 cm. ; the diameter of the second end 30 is 12 mm; the diameter of the second passageway 32 of the second end 30 10 mm; and the dia ter of the second passageway 32 of the first end 28 is 5 mm at its longest point.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET

- 6 -

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the present invention also includes the first plug 20 and the second plug 22. Plugs 20 and 22 respectively have an upper surface 36 and 38, a lower surface 40 and 42, and an outer periphery 44 and 46.

The plugs 20 and 22 function to keep the filter medium 24, as defined hereafter, in a selected area of the first passageway 18 of the tube 12 but permit the passage of the solution therethrough. The plugs 20 and 22 may be constructed from any material or be of any size which performs the intended function as previously described and is safely compatible with an aqueous solution for human consumption. A preferred embodiment utilizes an open cell foam material, such as polyester, having a porosity of about 80 to about 100 pores per inch.

The plugs may be secured in the first passageway 18 in any manner. Preferably the plugs 20 and 22 are constructed from compressible material and are forced into the first passageway 18 and lodged therein. When the compression pressure is released the plugs 20 and 22 decompress, becoming lodged in the first passageway 18, thereby retaining the filter medium 24 therebetween. In a preferred embodiment using the polyester previously described, the diameter of the, plugs 20 and 22 are slightly larger than the diameter of the first passageway 18, and are

SUBSTITUTE SHEET 5-10 mm from the upper surfaces 36 and 38 to the lower surfaces 42 and 44 respectively. Preferably the plugs 20 and 22 are positioned in the first passageway 18 respectively near the first end 14 of the tube 12 and the second end 16 of the tube 12 as shown in the drawings. Th leaves a maximum selected area for the filter medium to interact with the solution.

The filter medium 24 of the present invention is disposed in the first passageway 18 between the plugs 20 a 22. The filter medium 24 is capable of permitting the passage of the solution through the first passageway 18 while reducing the amount of impurities in the solution. The filter medium 24 is preferably capable of reducing the amount of certain bacteria such as E. Coli and Pseudomonas unlike other filter mediums used in the past, such as activated carbon. The filter medium 24 is also preferably capable of reducing the amount of other impurities such as chlorine, organic chemicals, iron and algae. The filter medium 24 is also preferably bacteriostatic. There are several factors which will affect the amount of reduction of certain impurities in the solution, some of which are the quantity and rate of the solution passing through the filter medium, the quantity of the filter medium, the particulate size of the filter medium, and type of impurities in the solution. Preferably the

SUBSTITUTE SHEET filter medium 24 reduces the amount of organic chemicals from about 10 percent to about 50 percent, reduces the amount of chlorine in the solution from about 10 percent to about 75 percent, and reduces the bacteria in the solution from about 10% to about 100%.

In a preferred embodiment, the filter medium 24 comprises zinc and copper such as the filter medium KDF from ORC/KDF Technologies in Constantine, Michigan, as described in their promotional literature entitled "The KDF Media" which has been submitted herewith in the Information Disclosure Statement, and is hereby incorporated by reference. Although any of the KDF media as manufactured as of the date of the filing of this application will work in the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the present- invention utilizes KDF-55D. The present invention is preferably used on chlorinated water since unchlorinated water may have an excessive amount of bacteria that cannot be substantially eliminated with the use of the present invention. KDF ^m is in the form of particulates of copper and zinc which range in mesh size from -10 to 100 based on U.S. Standard Screen sizes. The metal particulates exist as irregularly sized and shaped granules. KDF reduces the amount of bacteria, algae, chlorine, iron, and hydrogen sulfide in aqueous solutions.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET The speed and degree of removal of the impuritie is dependent, in part, upon the contact time of the aqueou solution with the filter medium. Increasing the contact surface of the filter medium will enhance the speed and degree of removal of impurities. It is therefore preferab that the maximum mesh size of the KDF or other zinc and copper filter medium is about 60, and more preferably 40 (U.S. Standard Screen).

A sufficient amount of the filtering medium 24 i disposed in the first passageway 18 which is an amount sufficient to reduce at least a portion of the impurities the solution as defined herein. In a preferred embodiment, about 3 inches of KDF-55D having a maximum mesh size of 40 in a straw having a 1/4 inch first passageway diameter has been found to be sufficient for this purpose.

In operation, the straw is shaken before use to loosen the filter medium 24 and to insure maximum filterin capability. The second end 16 of the tube 12 is placed in an aqueous solution (any solution comprising water or wate and at least one additive such as tea) . The aqueous solution is drawn into the straw by sucking on the first e 14 of the tube 12 or the first end 28 of the mouthpiece 26. Preferably the aqueous solution is allowed to sit in the first passageway 18 for about one minute to activate t

SUBSTITUTE SHEET - 10 -

filtering medium 24. Preferably the aqueous solution is only drawn into the second end 16 of the tube 12 each time,

Changes may be made in the embodiments of the invention described herein or in parts or elements of the embodiments described herein or in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A drinking straw for filtering an aqueous solution containing impurities and delivering the filtered solution to a person's mouth, characterized by: a tube having a first end and a second end with a first passageway therethrough, wherein the tube is sufficiently sized so that the second end contacts the aqueous solution and the first end is receivable in the person's mouth; a sufficient amount of a filter medium disposed in the first passageway capable of permitting the passsage of the solution through the first passageway while reducing th amount of impurities comprising bacteria in the aqueous solution that passes through the tube; and at least two plugs positioned in the first passageway such that the filter medium is retained in a selected area of the first passageway between the plugs, wherein the plugs are capable of permitting the passage of the aqueous solution through the plugs but will not permit the passage of the filter medium through the plugs.

2. The drinking straw of claim 1 wherein the plugs comprise an open cell foam material.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET

3. The drinking straw of claim 2 wherein the plugs comprise polyester having a porosity of about 80 to about 100 pores per inch.

4. The drinking straw of claim 1 wherein the filter medium comprises zinc and copper.

5. The drinking straw of claim 4 wherein the filter medium comprises particles having a maximum mesh size of about 60.

6. The drinking straw of claim 4 wherein the filter medium comprises particles having a maximum mesh size of about 40.

7. The drinking straw of claim 1 wherein the filter medium is capable of reducing the amount of organic - chemicals in the solution from about 10 percent to about 50 percent.

8. The drinking straw of claim 1 wherein the filter medium is capable of reducing the amount of chlorine in the solution from about 10 percent to about 75 percent.

9. The drinking straw of claim 1 wherein the filter medium is bacteriostatic.

10. The drinking straw of claim 1 further comprising a mouthpiece having a tapered first end and a second end with a

SUBSTITUTE SHEET second passageway therethrough, wherein the second end of the mouthpiece telescopes over and frictionally fits on th first end of the tube.

11. A drinking straw as claimed in claim 1 wherein th filter medium being the same type of filter medium throughout the portion of the passage way containing the filter medium.

12. A drinking straw as claimed in claim 1 wherein no of the filter medium comprises activated charcoal.

13. A drinking straw as claimed in claim 1 wherein sa filter medium comprises zinc and copper and said impuritie comprise bacteria, chlorine and organic chemicals.

14. A method for reducing the amount of impurities in an aqueous solution containing impurities consumed by a person, characterized by: providing a drinking straw comprising a tube having a first end and a second end with a first passageway therethrough, wherein the tube is sufficiently sized so that the second end contacts the aqueous solution and the first end is receivable in the person's mouth; a sufficient amount of a filter medium disposed i the first pa^'ssageway capable of permitting the passage of

SUBSTITUTE SHEET the solution through the first passageway while reducing the amount of impurities comprising bacteria in the aqueous solution that passes through the tube; and at least two plugs positioned in the first passageway such that the filter medium is retained in a selected area of the first passageway between the plugs, wherein the plugs are capable of permitting the passage of the aqueous solution through the plugs but will not permit the passage of the filter medium through the plugs; placing the second end of the straw in the solution; and sucking on the first end of the tube so that the aqueous solution is drawn into the passageway and into the person's mouth.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET