Drinking straw

Abstract

The invention relates to a drinking straw which is a thermoplastic tube having a first end and a second end comprising: - a first tubular end portion adjacent the first end and defining a single passage; - a first branched portion spaced from the first end and defining at least two parallel passages in fluid communication with the single passage of the first tubular end portion; - a second tubular end portion adjacent; the second end and defining a single passage; - a second branched portion spaced apart from the second end and defining at least two parallel passages being in fluid communication with the single passage of the second tubular end portion; and - a hollow elongate middle portion providing fluid communication between the parallel passages of the first branched portion and the parallel passages of the second branched portion; and - a filler in the middle portion, said filler containing ah active ingredient releasable in liquid drawn through the straw; the parallel passages of the first and second branched portions being defined by neighbouring recesses formed in the tube and an inner seam connecting the neighbouring recesses; and the filler and the parallel passages being sized to prevent the filler from passing through the parallel passages of the first and second branched portions. The invention further relates to a method and a device for manufacturing such a drinking straw.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a straw for the gradual addition of an active ingredient to a liquid passing through the straw. Background technique [0002] Straws for flavoring or changing the taste of liquid passing through the straw are known. Such straws can impart different flavors (eg cocoa, fruit, etc.) to liquids such as milk. [0003] The solution is to apply the flavor to part of the straw and dissolve it when the part is submerged in the liquid. Patent application US3615595 describes such a flavored straw. In another embodiment according to US3615595, the flavoring agent is applied to the inner wall of the straw. The disadvantage of this solution is the dissolution of the flavoring agent making the flavoring effect unsatisfactory. [0004] Patent application US5094861 discloses an improved embodiment of US3615595 flavoring straw. In this context, the flavor carrier is inserted into the straw. The implementation of the straw is very c...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The present inventors have realized that simply placing the effervescent tablet in any prior art filled straw does not solve this problem, as the effervescent tablet is no longer stable once the packaging of the straw is opened, but consumers tend to Expect to consume beverages over an extended period of time, or use the same straw more than once

Also, if an effervescent tablet sinks to the bottom of a straw immersed in liquid, it dissolves too quickly

However, if the tablet floats in the liquid, it will rise to the top of the straw, causing inconvenient foaming near the user's mouth

Images