GB1015430A - Improvements in drinking straws - Google Patents

Abstract

A drinking straw comprises at least two telescopic tubular sections 1, 2, Fig. 2, which can be collapsed to be inserted into a drink container 3, and includes a temporary attachment to the lowermost section for exerting a downward force thereon relative to the upper-most section, so as to allow the straw to be extended while being held only in the lips such as (i) a temporary closure at the lower end of the straw to permit the straw to be extended and the closure ejected by blowing down the straw, for example a detachable plug 7, made of foamed plastic or hollow solid material to confer buoyancy to the straw (more precise control over the protrusion of the straw when the cover 4 of the container is removed, is provided by making a pin-point puncture 11 in the straw) or (ii) a buoyant anchorage member 12, Figs. 3, 3a and 3b, which is shaped to engage with a part of the neck of the container to resist upward movement and hence cause the straw to be extended when its upper end is raised relatively to the container; the anchorage member has lateral projections 14 which can deflect upwards to allow the member <PICT:1015430/C6-C7/1> <PICT:1015430/C6-C7/2> <PICT:1015430/C6-C7/3> <PICT:1015430/C6-C7/4> <PICT:1015430/C6-C7/5> <PICT:1015430/C6-C7/6> <PICT:1015430/C6-C7/7> <PICT:1015430/C6-C7/8> to be inserted int the container (see Fig. 3), but are resistant to downward deflection (see Fig. 3A). The straw, fabricated in polypropylene, nylon or glass, may consist of a shorter and larger diameter tube loosely positioned over a longer and smaller diameter tube (as shown in Figs. 1 and 4) or vice versa. The two sections are held in the fully-extended position by two or more inward indentations 18, Figs. 4 and 4A, above and around the contracted wall of opening 9 of the tube 2; these may be formed by making two straight cuts 17 opposite each other, e.g. of 1/16 inch length, and slightly pushing in the parts of the wall 18 above the cuts. The straw may be held under a covered opening 20, Fig. 5, in a can by a guide ring 19 attached to the interior top and bottom of the can; when the cover 21 is removed, the straw floats up for use.