Trinkhalmsystem

Abstract

Drinking straw system (1) comprising at least one drinking straw (2) and a storage rack (3), wherein the drinking straw (2) has a tubular base body (4), wherein the base body (4) has a first cylindrical section (6) at a first free end (5) and a second cylindrical section (8) at the second free end (7), wherein a third section (9) designed as a thickened portion is arranged between the first section (6) and the second section (8), wherein the storage rack (3) has a receiving plate (10) and a support frame (11), wherein openings (12) are made in the receiving plate (10), the diameter of which openings is selected such that the first section (6) or the second section (8) of the drinking straw (2) can be inserted into the opening (12) and the third section (9) of the drinking straw (2) comes to rest on the receiving plate (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a drinking straw system comprising at least one drinking straw and a storage rack, wherein the drinking straw has a tubular base body, wherein the base body has a first cylindrical section at a first free end and a second cylindrical section at the second free end, wherein a third section designed as a thickening is arranged between the first section and the second section.

[0002] Such a drinking straw is known from DE 20 2022 101 850 U1. Drinking straws are used to collect beverages from bottles or glasses, and the previously known drinking straw is reusable.

[0003] When used in the hospitality industry, there is a requirement that a large number of drinking straws must be cleaned hygienically and quickly.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of providing a drinking straw system which enables the storage and hygienic cleaning of reusable drinking straws.

[0005] This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. The subclaims refer to advantageous embodiments.

[0006] The drinking straw system according to the invention comprises at least one drinking straw and a storage rack, wherein the drinking straw has a tubular base body, wherein the base body has a first cylindrical section at a first free end and a second cylindrical section at a second free end, wherein a third section designed as a thickening is arranged between the first section and the second section, wherein the storage rack has a receiving plate and a support frame, wherein openings are made in the receiving plate, the diameter of which is selected such that the first section or the second section of the drinking straw can be inserted into the opening and the third section of the drinking straw comes to rest on the receiving plate.

[0007] According to a first embodiment, the openings can be designed as slots.

[0008] According to a first embodiment, the drinking straw is made of metallic material and according to a second embodiment, it is made of glass. In both embodiments, the drinking straw is suitable for multiple use, and the drinking straw can be hygienically cleaned even at high temperatures. Compared to metallic materials, glass has lower thermal conductivity, which is advantageous when used with very hot or very cold drinks. Furthermore, when using glass, the transparency of the material makes it particularly easy to check whether the existing drinking straws have been thoroughly cleaned. Drinking straws made of metallic materials are easier to manufacture than those made of glass. In principle, it is also conceivable to design the drinking straw from a reusable plastic such as polypropylene or polymethyl methacrylate.

[0009] Preferably, the opening is designed to accommodate multiple drinking straws. Furthermore, the openings preferably have a width and a longitudinal extension, with the width of the openings being selected such that the first section or the second section of the drinking straw can be inserted into the opening.

[0010] The drinking straw system according to the invention is advantageous in that several drinking straws can be inserted into the receiving plate, with the straws hanging freely from the receiving plate. The drinking straws are spaced apart from one another in the receiving plate and can therefore be cleaned quickly and hygienically. In particular, the drinking straw system is suitable for the automated cleaning of a storage rack equipped with drinking straws in a dishwasher.

[0011] The slot-shaped openings allow multiple drinking straws to be arranged side by side. The thickened straw ensures that straws inserted side by side into the slot do not touch each other along their entire length, allowing for hygienic and automated cleaning.

[0012] The slot-shaped openings improve and accelerate the loading of the storage rack with straws. Surprisingly, it was discovered that straws gathered in a loose bundle can be easily and quickly inserted into the storage rack with one simple movement. In particular, there is no need to thread the straws individually into the openings.

[0013] According to a second embodiment, the openings are designed in the form of holes. The diameter of the holes is preferably smaller than the diameter of the third section of the drinking straw.

[0014] The first section is preferably longer than the second section. In this configuration, the second section forms the mouthpiece, and the first section is immersed in the drinking vessel.

[0015] The first section and the second section can have a first diameter, and the third section can have a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. Further preferably, the diameter of the opening is larger than the first diameter and smaller than the second diameter. This configuration ensures that the drinking straw can be inserted into the opening via the first section or the second section, and that the drinking straw rests against the receiving plate at the third section.

[0016] The support frame can have a support base connected to the support plate via at least one strut. The support base can consist of an angled, U-shaped, or ring-shaped profile. The storage frame can be positioned on the support base. This design is particularly advantageous in that the support frame is open at the bottom, allowing water or steam to penetrate the straw from below during cleaning. Furthermore, water can drip unhindered from the straw.

[0017] The distance between the support plate and the support base is preferably greater than the length of the first section or the second section of the drinking straw. With this design, the drinking straws arranged in the opening hang freely and do not touch the floor or the support base. This further simplifies hygienic cleaning.

[0018] The drinking straw and / or the storage rack can be made of stainless steel. The support plate can be made of sheet metal and the support frame from at least one metal rod. The strut and support base can be made of the same material and in one piece. Stainless steel is tasteless and insensitive to the acids found in many beverages. Furthermore, a drinking straw made of stainless steel and the storage rack made of stainless steel can be hygienically cleaned at high temperatures, for example in dishwashers. Alternatively, the drinking straw can be made of glass and the storage rack of stainless steel.

[0019] The third section of the drinking straw can be created by compression. During the production of the drinking straw, the first and second sections are moved towards each other, with the tubular base body protruding outwards in the region of the third section in a bead-like or corrugated tube shape. In the case of the corrugated tube shape, the third section is flexible and can be repeatedly bent in different directions without the base body breaking. In the case of the bead-like thickening, a receiving ring is created that can come into contact with the receiving plate. If the drinking straw is designed from glass, the compression to form the third section takes place at a temperature above the glass transition temperature.

[0020] The first section, the second section, and the third section can be made of the same material and in one piece. This makes the drinking straw easy and cost-effective to manufacture, has a long service life, and can be hygienically cleaned.

[0021] The storage rack can be equipped with at least one support. The support can be made of rods that are attached to the support plate on the side facing away from the support frame. The support can be designed with a handle. For this purpose, the support can be T-shaped.

[0022] Some embodiments of the drinking straw system according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. These show, schematically: Fig. 1 a drinking straw system in perspective view according to the first embodiment; Fig. 2 a drinking straw system in perspective view according to the second embodiment; Fig. 3 a drinking straw with a third section formed from a bead; Fig. 4 a drinking straw with a third section designed as a corrugated tube.

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a drinking straw system 1, with a drinking straw 2, which is inserted into a storage rack 3 in a perspective view.

[0024] A drinking straw 2 according to a first embodiment is in Fig. 2. The drinking straw 2 has a tubular base body, wherein the base body 4 has a first cylindrical section 6 at a first free end 5 and a second cylindrical section 8 at the second free end 7. A third section 9 designed as a thickened portion is arranged between the first section 6 and the second section 8. In the present embodiment, the third section 9 is formed by upsetting, whereby the third section 9 forms an outwardly projecting, circumferential bead. The first section 6, the second section 8 and the third section 9 are formed from the same material and in one piece.

[0025] According to a first embodiment, the drinking straw 4 is made of a metallic material, preferably stainless steel. According to a second embodiment, the drinking straw 4 is made of glass.

[0026] The first section 6 is longer than the second section 8. The second section 8 can therefore function as a mouthpiece. The first section 6 and the second section 8 have a first diameter. The third section 9 has a second diameter, with the first diameter being smaller than the second diameter.

[0027] In a further embodiment, the third section 9 is designed as a corrugated pipe. In this embodiment, too, the diameter of the third section 9 is larger than the diameter of the first section 6 or the second section 8. This embodiment is in Fig. 3. The drinking straw 2 according to Fig. 2 and the drinking straw 2 according to Fig. 3 are equally suitable for use in the drinking straw system 1 according to the invention.

[0028] The Fig. The storage rack 3 shown in Figure 1 has a receiving plate 10 and a carrying frame 11, wherein a plurality of openings 12 in the form of slots are introduced into the receiving plate 10. The clear width of the slot-shaped openings 12 is selected such that the first section 6 or the second section 8 of the drinking straw 2 can be inserted into the opening 12 and the third section 9 with the circumferential thickening on the receiving plate 10 comes to rest on the longitudinal edges of the openings 12. For this purpose, the clear width of the opening 12 is greater than the first diameter and smaller than the second diameter. The length of the openings 12 is selected such that a plurality of drinking straws 2 can be inserted next to one another.

[0029] The support frame 11 has a support base 13, which is connected to the support plate 10 via four struts 14. The support frame 11 is made of metal rods, and the support base 13 is rectangular. The length of the struts 14 is selected such that the distance between the support plate 10 and the support base 13 is greater than the length of the first section 6 of the drinking straw 2, so that the straw hangs freely when inserted into the storage frame 3. The support frame 11 is open at the bottom, allowing water and steam to penetrate the drinking straw 2 from below and allowing water to drip off the drinking straw 2 unhindered.

[0030] The storage rack 3 is equipped with two support supports 15. The support supports 15 are T-shaped and are attached to the support plate 10 on the side opposite the support base 13.

[0031] The Fig.The storage rack 3 shown in Figure 2 comprises a receiving plate 10 and a support frame 11, wherein a plurality of holes 12 in the form of bores are provided in the receiving plate 10 instead of the slot-shaped holes. The diameter of the holes 12 is selected such that the first section 6 or the second section 8 of the drinking straw 2 can be inserted into the hole 12 and the third section 9, with its circumferential thickening, rests on the receiving plate 10. For this purpose, the diameter of the hole 12 is larger than the first diameter and smaller than the second diameter. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2022 101 850 U1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Drinking straw system (1) comprising at least one drinking straw (2) and a storage rack (3), the drinking straw (2) having a tubular base body (4), the base body (4) having a first cylindrical section (6) at a first free end (5) and a second cylindrical section (8) at the second free end (7), a third section (9) designed as a thickened portion being arranged between the first section (6) and the second section (8), the storage rack (3) having a receiving plate (10) and a support frame (11), openings (12) being made in the receiving plate (10), the diameter of which openings being selected such that the first section (6) or the second section (8) of the drinking straw (2) can be inserted into the opening (12) and the third section (9) of the drinking straw (2) comes to rest on the receiving plate (10). [2] Drinking straw system according to claim 1, characterized bythat the openings (12) are designed as slots. [3] Drinking straw system according to claim 1, characterized by that an opening (12) is equipped to accommodate several drinking straws (2). [4] Drinking straw system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the openings (12) have a width and a longitudinal extent, wherein the width of the openings (12) is selected such that the first section (6) or the second section (8) of the drinking straw (2) can be inserted into the opening (12). [5] Drinking straw system according to claim 1, characterized by that the openings (12) are designed as bores. [6] Drinking straw system according to claim 5, characterized by that the diameter of the holes is smaller than the diameter of the third section (9) of the drinking straw (2). [7] Drinking straw system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the first section (6) is longer than the second section (8). [8] Drinking straw system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the first section (6) and the second section (8) have a first diameter and the third section (9) has a second diameter, the first diameter being smaller than the second diameter. [9] Drinking straw system according to claim 8, characterized by that the diameter of the opening (12) is larger than the first diameter and smaller than the second diameter. [10] Drinking straw system according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the drinking straw (2) is made of metallic material. [11] Drinking straw system according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by that the drinking straw (2) is made of glass. [12] Drinking straw system according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by that the support frame (11) has a support foot (13) which is connected to the receiving plate (10) via at least one strut (14). [13] Drinking straw system according to claim 12, characterized by that the distance between the mounting plate (10) and the support foot (13) is greater than the length of the first section (6) or the second section (8). [14] Drinking straw system according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by that the drinking straw (2) and / or the storage frame (3) are made of stainless steel. [15] Drinking straw system according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by that the first section (6), the second section (8) and the third section (9) are made of the same material and are formed in one piece. [16] Drinking straw system according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized by that the storage frame (3) is equipped with at least one carrying aid (15).

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