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Drinking Straw and Embellishment System

a technology of drinking straw and embellishment, which is applied in the field of non-disposable drinking straw, can solve the problems of increasing the quantity of trash contained in landfills, wasting energy and materials, and no non-disposable drinking straw that is appealing enough to users to justify the small amount of effort required, so as to reduce resource usage and reduce was

Inactive Publication Date: 2015-01-15
WHITTAKER TRACY A +1
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The decorative straw and embellishment system described in this patent offers an attractive appearance that is not only pleasing to users but also benefits the environment and economy. The use of this system helps reduce waste and resource usage. Additionally, it also prevents tooth staining which is a big advantage. Overall, it is an aesthetically pleasing and useful system that can reduce the need for disposable straws.

Problems solved by technology

The manufacture, transport, storage, and disposal of this vast number of disposable straws are detrimental to the environment, wasting energy and materials, as well as adding to the quantity of trash contained in landfills.
Currently, there is no non-disposable straw that is appealing enough to users to justify the small amount of effort required for the user to carry a non-disposable straw.

Method used

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  • Drinking Straw and Embellishment System
  • Drinking Straw and Embellishment System
  • Drinking Straw and Embellishment System

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

first embodiment

[0036]In the first embodiment as seen in FIG. 1, the embellishment 20 is a set of ornamental elements, such as natural precious and semi-precious gemstones, manufactured gemstones, rhinestones, polished or natural rocks, colored plastic elements, metallic elements, feathers, beads, or the like, permanently attached within the circumferential groove 22. Though a complete band of ornamental elements is shown, the embellishment may optionally include fewer ornamental elements set at a greater distance from each other with or without an interspersing material. The ornamental elements may be permanently attached in any of a variety of ways. For example, the ornamental elements may be set within the base material of the straw; the ornamental elements may be adhered to the mid-wall section 15 with adhesive; the mid-wall section 15 may be configured with impressions sized to receive the ornamental elements with adhesive used to set the ornamental elements within the impressions; the ornamen...

fifth embodiment

[0044]The circumferential groove 22, except in the invention, is disposed above the typical level of the liquid within a container, which is within the upper one half of the hollow tubular member 11 and is preferably within the upper one third of hollow tubular member 11. Advantageously, when the embellishment 20 does not extend into the liquid being consumed, the embellishment 20 is protected from the liquid and remains unsoiled, reducing the need for cleaning.

[0045]As illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, the embellishment 20 may be formed as a cuff 30 configured to removably fit onto and / or snap into the circumferential groove 22. The cuff-type embellishment 30 is configured to be manually, readily, physically disassociated from and re-associated with its supporting structure, the circumferential groove 22 of the hollow tubular member 11.

[0046]The cuff-type embellishment 30 may be cylindrical in shape with an inner cuff wall 46 defining an axial cavity 48 (FIG. 6) running the length of the c...

fourth embodiment

[0056]In this fourth embodiment, the circumferential groove 22 comprises multiple separate grooves 22a, 22b, and 22c. Each of the multiple grooves 22a, 22b, 22c are defined by a mid-wall section 15a, 15b, 15c, an upper shoulder 42a, 42b, 42c, and a lower shoulder 43a, 43b, 43c, respectively. The mid-wall sections 15a, 15b, 15c are thinner than the lower-wall section 19 and upper-wall section 16.

[0057]The fifth embodiment of the straw and embellishment system 10 shown in FIG. 10 presents a spiral groove 22s variation. The spiral groove 22s comprises a spiral groove for receiving an embellishment 20. The spiral groove winds around the hollow tubular member 11 from proximal end 14 to distal end 13 of the straw 10. The spiral groove 22s is defined by shoulders 42s, 43s and the top surface of mid-wall section 15s.

[0058]The sixth embodiment of the straw and embellishment system 10, illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 11A, provides a thin proximal end wall 27 for improved mouth feel. As in the ot...

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Abstract

A non-disposable decorative straw and embellishment system is provided that includes a drinking straw portion and an embellishment. The drinking straw portion includes a hollow tubular member, an exterior wall configured with at least one circumferential groove, a lower-wall section disposed below the circumferential groove, and an upper-wall section disposed above the circumferential groove. The at least one embellishment is configured to at least partially fit within the circumferential groove.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION[0001]This invention relates generally to a non-disposable drinking straw having an external decorative embellishment to impart a pleasing, esthetic effect.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Drinking straws, which are adapted for conducting liquids for drinking by a user, consist of a portable tube having openings at each end. One end is placed between the user's lips and the other end is inserted into a quantity of beverage, allowing the user to conveniently consume the liquid from a cup, glass, bottle, can, or the like.[0003]Drinking straws provide several advantages to users beyond convenience. Many beverages stain the front teeth, but using a straw directs the beverage past the front teeth, thereby reducing or eliminating tooth staining. Many women prefer to use a straw to prevent the untidiness of lipstick on the rim of a glass. Straws are also useful for people with some particular disabilities and for the numerous people who have sensitive teeth or fillings. P...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A47G21/18
CPCA47G21/182
Inventor WHITTAKER, TRACY A.POLAKOWSKI, JEFFREY
Owner WHITTAKER TRACY A
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