Liquid containing vessel having aseptic straw housing and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

A liquid containing vessel has an aseptic straw housing. The vessel includes a beverage container having a liquid chamber and a separate, dry, straw housing chamber adapted for housing a straw enclosed in an aseptic environment. The arrangement of the internal chamber, the liquid and the straw housing chamber prevents contact between the aseptic straw and the liquid. An external outlet aperture in the aseptic straw housing chamber affords access to the aseptic straw from points outside of the container. The dual chamber construction provides a dry environment for housing the aseptic straw. Contemporaneous presentment of a straw with a beverage is accomplished in a convenient and reliable manner without compromising the integrity of the beverage or the straw.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a liquid containing vessel having an aseptic straw housing; and more particularly, to a liquid containing vessel provided with a dual chamber construction that includes a liquid chamber and a separate, dry chamber adapted to house a straw in an aseptic environment. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] Drinking straws are commonly utilized when consuming beverages or liquids from bottles, cans, or other containers. Many consumers prefer the convenience of a straw, which facilitates drinking and minimizes spillage. Although many consumers prefer to use a straw when drinking, the straws are generally obtained from a location that is separate and apart from the beverage container. As a result, the consumer must purchase and / or carry a separate straw, which many times is not of the proper length to accommodate the random beverage. This inconvenience is easily avoided by providing...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020] The present invention provides a liquid containing vessel having an aseptic straw housing and a method for manufacturing the same. A liquid containing vessel having an aseptic straw housing comprises a beverage container having a dual chamber construction. A liquid chamber is associated with a separate, dry, straw housing chamber especially suited to house a straw enclosed in an aseptic environment. With this dual chamber construction there is provided a dry environment for housing the aseptic straw. Contemporaneous presentment of a straw with a beverage is accomplished in a convenient, reliable manner without compromising the integrity of the beverage or the straw. In one embodiment the straw housing chamber is located within the internal chamber of the container body. In another embodiment the straw housing chamber is located on at least one of the side walls of the container body and is appointed with a groove so that the aseptic straw is housed on the external surface of the container body.

Problems solved by technology

As a result, the consumer must purchase and / or carry a separate straw, which many times is not of the proper length to accommodate the random beverage.

During drinking, the exterior drinking surface, or drinking lip, comes into intimate contact with the consumer's mouth and lips, and the liquid passes over the contaminated area, thereby causing the consumer to ingest the germs and contaminants.

Contaminants and germs may result from human handling, or the accumulation of dirt, dust, or debris on the exterior drinking surface of the can.

Moreover, germs may result during shipping and storage, as rodents may pass over the cans, exposing the end use consumers to germs and / or viruses.

Various types of beverage containers having straw devices therein are known in the art, but none of the known beverage containers provide a dual chamber configuration and an aseptic straw condition.

As time goes by, the straw has a tendency to break down, especially in corrosive beverages (i.e. soda, juices), yielding soluble and / or insoluble byproducts.

The soluble byproducts homogeneously mix with the liquid while the insoluble byproducts accumulate within the container, thereby contaminating the liquid, which is later consumed by the user.

The straw's exposure to the beverage, especially corrosive beverages, can result in degradation over a period of time, causing leaching of the straw's formulation into the liquid to be consumed.

This provides a condition wherein the composition of the straw is susceptible to degradation over time, leaching into the liquid appointed for consumption.

The straw's substantial bottom portion is exposed to the beverage, which over time can cause degradation of the straw composition.

This, in turn, causes leaching of the straw's formulation into the liquid to be consumed.

As a result, the straw has a tendency to break down, especially in corrosive beverages, yielding soluble and / or insoluble byproducts.

The soluble byproducts homogeneously mix with the liquid, thereby contaminating the liquid which is later consumed by a customer.

As a result, the straw has a tendency to break down, especially in corrosive beverages, yielding soluble and / or insoluble byproducts.

The soluble byproducts homogeneously mix with the liquid, thereby contaminating the liquid, which is later consumed by the user.

The straw is not provided within a straw wrapper, and therefore fails to provide an optimal aseptic straw environment.

As a result, when the protective film is removed, the straw must be handled by the user to be removed from the groove, or readily pops out itself presenting a risk that the straw will fall to the ground or be otherwise contaminated.

Handling of the straw can readily result in the deposit of germs thereon, especially if the user is a child.

Moreover, after the straw is removed from the groove, the straw is immediately exposed to the environment and is therefore vulnerable to being contaminated if it is dropped or placed on a surface while the container is being opened.

These aforementioned beverage containers with straw devices fail to provide an aseptic straw environment, particularly when the straw is removed from the groove.

That is to say, none of these aforementioned beverage containers with straw devices provides for a straw that is externally housed and enclosed within a straw wrapper so that the straw is retained in an aseptic condition.

When the tab or covering disclosed by way of the aforementioned devices is removed, the straw is immediately exposed to the environment, and further requires manipulation by the user's hand to be removed from the groove, which can present an unsanitary condition, especially where the user is a child.

Moreover, the immediate exposure to the environment increases the risk of contamination, as the straw may be susceptible to falling out from the groove and landing on the floor or some other contaminated external surface.

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