WO2008062241A1

WO2008062241A1 - Flavouring straw

Info

Publication number: WO2008062241A1
Application number: PCT/HU2007/000092
Authority: WO
Inventors: József DUDÁS; Ferenc Ecseri
Original assignee: Dudas Jozsef; Ferenc Ecseri
Priority date: 2006-11-24
Filing date: 2007-10-09
Publication date: 2008-05-29
Also published as: HU0600869D0; TW200835456A; HUP0600869A2

Abstract

Drinking straw for flavouring a liquid passing through it. The drinking straw includes a tube (1) and filters (3) provided with openings (2). Between the filters (3) the tube (1) is at least partially filled with flavouring granules (4). The openings (2) of the filters (3) are smaller than the granules (4). The cross-section of at least one of the filters (3) is determined so that it can move within the tube (1). Arrester(s) (6) for preventing filter(s) (3) from falling out are formed on the inner surface (5) or in the wall of tube (1). The filter (3) of the flavouring drinking straw has a cylindrical sidewall (7) and a cover (8) provided with openings (2). The cover (8) is positioned angularly relative to the longitudinal axis of sidewall (7). On the outer surface of sidewall (7), parallel with its longitudinal axis, ribs (9) are formed.

Description

FLAVOURING STRAW

The invention relates to a tubular flavouring drinking straw for imparting flavour to a liquid passing through it, the drinking straw includes a tube and filters comprising a cover and a cylindrical sidewall provided with openings for making flow of the liquid possible. The portion of the tube between the filters is at least partially filled with granules for flavouring the liquid passing through the tube. The openings of the filters are smaller than the size of the granules. Drinking straws are known for flavouring or changing the flavour of a liquid when it is consumed through the drinking straw. Such drinking straws can impart different flavours (e.g. cocoa, fruit, etc.) to a liquid when it is consumed for example to milk sold in cartons or bottles. There are proposals in which the flavouring agent is applied on a portion of the drinking straw. When such drinking straw is placed in the liquid the flavouring material dissolves. Such flavoured drinking straw is described in patent application US 3615595. In an alternative embodiment described in the same document the flavouring agent is applied on the inner wall of the drinking straw. Absorption of the flavouring agent thereby the flavouring effect is unsatisfactory with either of these embodiments. Production of a drinking straw disclosed in patent application US 4921713 is very complicated and expensive. Considerable technological preparations and complicated apparatuses are needed for placing the flavouring agent into the drinking straw. Dissolution of the flavouring agent takes a relatively long time, and repeated use of the drinking straw is unhygienic. Patent application US 5094861 discloses an improved flavoured drinking straw of the application US 3615595. Here, the drinking straw is provided with inserts including a plurality of flavouring members. Embodying of this drinking straw is complicated, placing the flavouring agent into the straw is elaborate, flavouring effect is unsatisfactory. The same drinking straw is proposed in patent application US 6109538 with the difference that a large sized flavouring object is placed in the lumen of the drinking straw. A common disadvantage of the aforementioned embodiments is that proportionally to the dissolution of the flavouring agent placed in the interior of the drinking straw the flavouring effect also decreases, and the suction force required to draw the liquid through the drinking straw varies significantly especially in case of the latter solution.

Patent applications WO03/101226 which is only slightly different from patent application WO98/15187 (the difference is in the size of the granules) discloses a drink flavouring straw including an elongate tubular body containing a predetermined measure of flavouring pellets. The pellets are retained within the straw by end caps used as filters. The average diameter of the pellets is between 25-75% of the internal diameter of the straw. As the pellets dissolve, they impart a relatively uniform flavour to the liquid as consumed by the user. Basically, the whole tubular body is filled with pellets, thereby a drinking straw filled with flavoured material is provided. Although this latter solution is favourable in many respects, it still has some of the aforementioned disadvantages.

When differently sized granules are used simultaneously, the tube may get clogged so that practically it is impossible for the liquid to pass through it. The amount of the suction force required to draw the liquid through the drinking straw changes as the flavouring agent dissolves. Suction force can not be exerted continuously during consumption of the liquid. Thereby when the user again draws the liquid through the drinking straw (exerts suction force), he will experience that it is less flavoured. On the other hand, as the amount of flavouring agent or granules decreases in the drinking straw, it is easier to draw the liquid through it especially when the density of the granules is slightly higher than the density of the liquid as is usually the case. In this manner the granules sink to the filter located at the end of the drinking straw which is immersed in the liquid, as a result of which the user may swallow the wrong way, since a relatively great amount of less flavoured liquid may accumulate above the granules. This liquid can pass through the drinking straw without restrain.

Further, the filter according to the document must have a fixed position because of its conical form. If it is not fixed, i.e. it can move, then the filter may turn away from the longitudinal axis of the drinking straw and may get wedged in. A further disadvantage of this solution is that because of its conical shape the filter may slip out when the drinking straw is pressed at the conical filter. Patent application WO 00/45888 describes a filter with varying density which is responsive to fluid flow. The filter is placed into a tubular conduit. The filter can move between constrictions provided at the ends of the conduit or between annular inserts provided within the conduit. The filter engages the sidewalls of the conduit in a frictional engagement, and substantially it can move within the conduit in response to fluid flow. The density of the filter varies in the radial direction, and it is made of polyester and/or polyolefin. The operation of this system is different from the present solution since the filter according to the present invention moves in the drinking straw on the one hand on the basis of gravitation, on the other hand on the basis of its density. Consequently, highly precise manufacturing of the filter is not required. It is one object of the present invention to provide a drinking straw with which the aforementioned disadvantages can be eliminated. Another object is to provide - instead of the earlier conical filters - a filter which ensures more intensive dissolution of the granules, at the same time decreases the amount of undissolved granules that may remain in the tube. A further object is to provide a filter which can move in the tube without getting stuck or wedged. It has been realized that when at least one of the filters or even both of them are formed so that their movement in the tube is made possible, then the problem experienced with the fixed filters can be avoided to a great extent. In this case the granules are continuously directly flanked by the filters as "the liquid is emptied from its container and the volume of the granules reduces. If the density of the filters and the granules is higher than the density of the liquid, then the filters will closely border the granules and keep them in the liquid as the volume of the liquid decreases. The filters and the granules move together when the drinking straw is sucked by a person. If the density of the filter immersed in the liquid is satisfactorily lower than the density of the liquid, then the lower filter will press the granules against the upper filter, thereby the granules will come close to one another and the liquid can not get favourless. This is especially advantageous when consumption of the beverage through the drinking straw takes a long time, because in this case the granules get into contact with the liquid to a lesser extent or not at all if the drinking straw is not used continuously. However, known filters may be used for carrying out the solution according to the invention, it has been realized that if the filter is formed so that it has a substantially constant cross-section, i.e. the filter is cylindriform, its end adjacent to the granules is formed oblique and ribs are placed on the cylindrical sidewall of the filter, then flow of the liquid is more uniform and dissolution of the granules is more intensive. By bordering the inner surface of the filters with an oblique plane, the liquid is able to flow more easily, and also, the contact surface between the granules and the liquid is increased while the movement of the filter in the tube is not influenced. As opposed to the conical filters, by shaping the filter according to the present invention, the granules can not get wedged in between the conical end of the filter and the wall of the tube. The angle between the conical end of the filter and the inner wall of the tube is significantly smaller than the angle between the plane (being adjacent to the granules) of the filter according to the invention and the wall of the tube. Further, the filter essentially having a uniform cross-section can move more safely in the tube than the conical filters used earlier, i.e. the filter according to the invention can not get wedged in. It has been realized that the ribs formed on the cylindrical sidewall of the filter make not only the flow of liquid but also the movement of the filter in the tube easier and smoother. The cylindrical filter of the present invention can not slip out easily from the drinking straw even if the user presses the straw at the filter's inner end.

Accordingly, a tubular flavouring drinking straw is provided for imparting flavour to a liquid passing through it. The drinking straw includes a tube and filters comprising a cover and a cylindrical sidewall provided with openings for making flow of the liquid possible. The portion of the tube between the filters is at least partially filled with granules for flavouring the liquid passing through the tube. The openings of the filters are smaller than the size of the granules. On the outer surface of the cylindrical sidewall ribs are formed arranged parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical sidewall. The cross-section of at least one of the filters is determined so that the filter can move within the tube. At one end or both ends of the tube or near to them an arrester or arresters for preventing the filter or filters from falling out are formed on the inner surface or in the wall of the tube.

Advantageously, the tube and the filter have a circular or a square or a round- cornered square cross-section. Preferably, the granules in the tube consist of a base material provided with a flavouring agent, and the base material is granulated sugar.

In a preferred embodiment the density of the filter is lower than that of the liquid.

In an alternative embodiment the density of the filter is higher than that of the liquid. Advantageously, the arresters are formed from the material of the tube so that they protrude into the inside of the tube. In an alternative embodiment the arresters are formed as separate members fastened to the inner surface of the tube.

Preferably, the cover for closing the end of the filter adjacent to the granules is formed angularly relative to the longitudinal axis of the filter.

A detailed description of the invention will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the figures drinking straws provided with^" conical filter as well as with the filter according to the invention are shown in order to present that a flavoured drinking , straw with moving filter can be produced with both filter design, however, the filter shaped according to the present invention is considered more advantageous.

Figure 1 is the first side view of a transparent drinking straw in which the arrester is formed by a circular deformation provided continuously in the wall of the tube containing a first, known filter;

Figure 2 is the first side view of a transparent drinking straw in which the arrester is formed as a separate annular member fastened to the inner surface of the tube;

Figure 3 is the first side view of a transparent drinking straw in which the arrester is formed as several separate members arranged circularly and fastened to the inner surface of the tube containing a filter according to the invention; Figure 4 is the first side view of a transparent drinking straw in which the arrester is formed by a plurality of separate deformations provided and arranged circularly in the inner surface of the wall of the tube;

Figure 5 is the first side view of a transparent drinking straw containing an arrester formed by a circular deformation provided continuously in the wall of the tube near its end, and the other filter is fixedly located;

Figure 6 is a second side view of the drinking straw of Figure 3 containing the filter according to the invention wherein the arrester is formed as a separate annular member fastened to the inner surface of the tube; Figure 7 is a second side view of the drinking straw of Figure 3 containing the filter according to the invention wherein the arrester is formed as a circular deformation provided continuously in the wall of the tube.

Figure 8 is a second side view of a drinking straw containing a first filter wherein the arrester is formed by a plurality of separate deformations provided and arranged circularly in the inner surface of the wall of the tube;

Figure 9 is a second side view of a drinking straw having a round-cornered square cross-section and provided with a first filter, wherein the arrester is formed as a separate annular member fastened to the inner surface of the tube;

Figure 10 is a second side view of a drinking straw having a round-cornered square cross-section ,and provided with a filter according to the invention, wherein the arrester is formed by a plurality of separate deformations provided and arranged symmetrically in a circle in the inner surface of the wall of the tube;

Figure 11 is a second side view of a drinking straw having a round-cornered square cross-section and provided with a centrally symmetrical filter similar to the one according to the invention, wherein the arrester is formed by a plurality of separate members arranged symmetrically in a circle and fastened to the inner surface of the tube;

Figure 12 is the side view of a drinking straw provided with the filters according to the invention, showing its state at the beginning of consumption of the liquid in the case when the density of the filters is higher than that of the liquid consumed; Figure 13 is the side view of the drinking straw of Figure 12 showing its state when the liquid is partly consumed;

Figure 14 is the side view of the drinking straw of Figure 12 showing its state right before the straw becomes empty; Figure 15 is the side view of a drinking straw provided with the known conical filters, showing its state at the beginning of consumption of the liquid in the case when the density of the filters is lower than that of the liquid consumed; Figure 16 is the side view of the drinking straw of Figure 15 showing its state when the liquid is partly consumed; Figure 17 is the side view of the drinking straw of Figure 15 showing its state right before the straw becomes empty;

Figure 18 is the front view of the filter according to the invention; Figure 19 is the side view of the filter according to the invention; Figure 20 is the sectional view of the filter of Figure 18 taken along line XX-XX; Figure 21 is a sectional view of the filter of Figure 18 taken along line XXI-XXI; and

Figure 22 is the perspective view of the filter according to the invention. The tubular flavouring drinking straw according to the invention can be used for imparting flavour to a liquid passing through it. The drinking straw includes a tube 1 and filters 3 provided with openings 2 for making flow of the liquid. possible. The portion of the tube 1 between the filters 3 is at least partially filled with granules 4 for flavouring the liquid passing through the tube 1. The granules 4 in the tube 1 consist of a base material provided with a flavouring agent. Advantageously, the base material is granulated sugar. The openings 2 of the filters 3 are smaller than the size of the granules 4. Some exemplary embodiments of such drinking straw are shown in Figures 1-5. The cross- section of at least one of the two filters 3 positioned in the tube 1 is determined so that the filter 3 can move within the tube 1 (Figure 5). At one end or both ends of the tube 1 or near to them arrester or arresters 6 for preventing the filter(s) 3 from falling out are formed on the inner surface 5 of the tube 1 or in the wall of the tube 1.

The tube 1 and the filter 3 of the drinking straw according to the invention may have a circular cross-section (Figures 6-8), or the tube 1 may have a square or a round-cornered square cross-section (Figures 9-11). In this latter case it is not necessary for the filter 3 to be shaped as a body of revolution, but it is advantageous if the filter 3 is centrally symmetrical (Figure 11). Filter 3 may be accomplished in several ways, e.g. it can be a cylindrical body simply provided with internal openings 2. Such filters 3 can be seen from the side in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, while their front view is shown in Figures 8 and 9. In Figure 3 the side view while in Figures 6, 7 and 10 the front view of the cylindrical filter 3 according to the invention is shown. Here, the filter 3 has inner openings 2 and outer openings 2 bordered by ribs 9 formed on the outer surface of the filter 3. The front sectional view of a third filter 3 designed on the basis of the filter 3 according to the invention can be seen in Figure 11.

A detailed description of the filter according to the invention will be given later. Preferably both filters 3 are formed so that they are able to move in the free space in tube 1 , between arrester 6 and granules 4. Arrester 6 may be embodied in several ways irrespective of the cross-section of tube 1.

In the embodiment of Figure 1 the arresters 6 are deformations formed in the wall of tube 1 in a known manner, which protrude into the interior of tube 1 in order to prevent filters 3 from falling out. ' In the embodiment of Figure 2 at both ends of the tube 1 an annular arrester 6 is fixed for example by means of some adhesive to the inner surface 5 of the tube 1 in order to prevent filters 3 from falling out.

In the embodiment of Figure 3 a plurality of separate arresters 6 are arranged in a circle and fixed (e.g. adhered) to the inner surface of tube 1 in order to prevent filters 3 from falling out. In the embodiment of Figure 4 protruding into the interior of tube 1 a plurality of deformations arranged in a circle are formed in the wall of the tube 1 in order to prevent filters 3 from falling out.

In the embodiment of Figure 5 only one of the filters 3 is able to move in the tube 1 as the granules 4 dissolve, the other filter 3 is fixed in a known manner. The moving filter 3 is prevented from falling out by arrester 6 which is formed as a deformation in the wall of tube 1 protruding into the interior of the tube 1. Figure 6-11 show some advantageous embodiments of the drinking straw according to the invention as seen from the mouthpiece. The drinking straws shown in Figures 6-8 have a circular cross-section, while the drinking straws in Figure 9-11 have a round-cornered square cross-section. In the embodiment of Figure 6 a separate annular arrester 6 is fixed to the inner surface 5 of tube 1. In the Figure a portion of the arrester 6 is shown broken off to make it clearly visible that the diameter d of the filter 3 is slightly smaller than the diameter D of the tube 1 in order to make free movement of filter 3 in tube 1 possible.

In the embodiment of Figure 7 the arrester 6 is an annular deformation provided in the tube 1 , while in the embodiment of Figure 8 the arrester 6 is formed by a plurality of separate deformations provided and arranged circularly in the inner surface of the wall of the tube 1. Naturally, in all the three embodiments the cross-sectional area left open by the arresters 6 is smaller than the diameter d of filter 3. In the embodiments of Figures 9 and 10 the side length L of the tube 1 is longer than the diameter d of the filter 3 in order to make movement of filter 3 in tube 1 possible. In the embodiment according to Figure 9 the arrester is a ring fixed to the inner surface 5 of tube 1 , while in the embodiment of Figure 10 the arrester 6 is formed by four separate deformations provided in the wall of tube 1. Figure 11 shows the application of the invention when the filter 3 is not able to turn in tube 1 due to its shaping. Here, filter 3 is not a body of revolution. In this case separate arresters 6 are fixed to the inner surface 5 of tube 1. In this embodiment the filter 3 is placed into the substantially flat-sided tube 1 so that the side length I of the filter is smaller than the side length L of the tube 1 in order to make free movement of filter 3 in tube 1 possible. The filter 3 shown in Figure 11 may be e.g. an improved version of the filter 3 of Figure 10. Naturally, the known filter 3 may also be shaped so that it has a square cross-section, but this is not shown in the Figures since it is clear for those skilled in the art. In Figures 1-5 the form of the cross-section of the tube 1 is not determined, as it is of no importance whether the tube 1 is cylindrical or prismatic. The tube 1 may even have a polygonal cross-section, preferably a regular polygon.

The density of the filter 3 may be higher or lower than the density of the liquid. Accordingly, the operation of the drinking straw changes. The drinking straw according to the invention works as follows. In Figures 12-14 it can be seen that granules 4 are flanked by filters 3 according to the invention in tube 1 , thereby ensuring the densest possible arrangement and uniform dissolution of granules 4. In these Figures the process of dissolution and shrinkage of the flavouring agent is shown as the liquid is emptied from its container. Here, a filter 3 is used whose density is higher than the density of the liquid. In this case the lower filter 3 rests on arrester 6 during use. That is, in this case the drinking straw may be the type shown in Figure 5 in which one of the filters 3 is fixed, as far as the end provided with the fixed filter 3 is immersed in the liquid. In Figures 15-17 it can be seen that granules 4 are flanked by filters 3 in tube 1, thereby ensuring the densest possible arrangement and uniform dissolution of granules 4. In these Figures the process of dissolution and shrinkage of the flavouring agent is shown as the liquid is emptied from its container. Here, a filter 3 is used whose density is lower than the density of the liquid. When a drinking straw with filters 3 of this type is used, the amount of granules 4 immersed in the liquid is less, thereby spontaneous dissolution is restrained resulting in a more intensive flavour.

The filter 3 according to the invention can be used in the tubular flavouring drinking straw according to the invention and also in known flavouring drinking straws. Figures 18-22 show the filter in different views. The filter 3 according to the invention comprises a cylindrical sidewall 7 and a cover 8. In the cover 8 of filter 3 openings 2 are provided. Cover 8 is flat and positioned angularly relative to the longitudinal axis of sidewall 7. On the outer surface of sidewall-7, parallel with its longitudinal axis, ribs 9 are provided, which together with the inner surface 5 of tube 1 and side wall 7 form further, substantially channel-like openings 2.

The advantage of the drinking straw according to the invention is that by making movement of at least one or even both of the filters in the tube 1 possible, the problem experienced with the fixed filters can be eliminated. In the solution according to the invention the granules will be flanked by the filters as the volume of the granules decreases during consumption of the liquid. If the density of the filters and the granules is higher than that of the liquid, then the granules will always be flanked tightly and kept in the liquid by the filters as the amount of the liquid decreases (Figure 13). The filters and the granules will move together when the liquid is drawn through the drinking straw. If the density of the filter immersed in the liquid is sufficiently lower than that of the liquid, then the lower filter will push the granules against the other filter thereby the granules will come close to one another and the liquid can not get favourless. This is especially advantageous when consumption of the beverage through the drinking straw takes a long time, because in this case the granules get into contact with the liquid to a lesser extent or not at all if the drinking straw is not used continuously. The advantage of the filter for a tubular flavouring drinking straw according to the invention is that they can not get clogged due to the ribs formed on the cylindrical surface and also to the dimensioning of the cross-section of the channels between the ribs. The granules piled up before these openings will form a medium through which the liquid can pass evenly, without restraint. Since the cover is oblique relative to the direction of flow, a larger surface is provided for the granules, thereby a more intensive dissolution of the flavouring agent can be ensured. Further, because of the oblique cover, the flow of the liquid can not be blocked by the granules. The advantage of the filter according to the invention as compared to the known conical filters is that when the filter according to the invention is used, the granules can not get wedged in between the filter and the inner wall of the tube, the possibility of which can not be precluded in case of the known conical filters..

Claims

1. Tubular flavouring drinking straw for imparting flavour to a liquid passing through it, the drinking straw includes a tube (1) and filters (3) comprising a cover (8) and a cylindrical sidewall (7) provided with openings (2) for making flow of the liquid possible, the portion of the tube (1) between the filters (3) is at least partially filled with granules (4) for flavouring the liquid passing through the tube (1), the openings (2) of the filters (3) are smaller than the size of the granules (4), characterized in that on the outer surface of said cylindrical sidewall (7) ribs (9) are formed arranged parallel with the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical sidewall (7), the cross-section of at least one of said filters (3) is determined so that said filter (3) can move within said tube (1), and at one end or both ends of said tube (1) or near to them an arrester (6) or arresters (6) for preventing said filter(3) or filters (3) from falling out are formed on the inner surface or in the wall of said tube (1).

2. Drinking straw according to claim 1 characterized in that said tube (1) and said filter (3) have a circular cross-section.

3. Drinking straw according to claim 1 characterized in that said tube (1) has a square cross-section or a round-cornered square cross-section.

4. Drinking straw according to any of claims 1-3 characterized in that said. granules (4) in said tube (1) consist of a flavouring agent applied on a base material.

5. Drinking straw according to claim 4 characterized in that said base material is granulated sugar.

6. Drinking straw according to any of claims 1-5 characterized in that the density of said filter (3) is lower than that of the liquid.

7. Drinking straw according to any of claims 1-5 characterized in that the density of said filter (3) is higher than that of the liquid.

8. Drinking straw according to any of claims 1-7 characterized in that said arresters (6) are formed from the material of said tube (1 ) so that they protrude into the inside of said tube (1).

9. Drinking straw according to any of claims 1-7 characterized in that said arresters (6) are formed as separate members fastened to the inner surface of said tube (1).

10. Drinking straw according to any of claims 1-9 characterized in that said cover (8) for closing the end of said filter (3) adjacent to sad granules (4) is formed angularly relative to the longitudinal axis of said filter (3).