TW201714563A - Straw - Google Patents

Abstract

A straw includes an elongated body extending from a first end to a second end, the elongated body with a hollow center and an outer surface; an opening extending through a thickness of the body and in fluid communication with the hollow center; and a sleeve slidingly engaged with the outer surface and configured to completely cover the opening.

Description

straw

The present invention relates to a straw, and in particular to a straw for a hot liquid.

Pipette systems are well known in the art as effective devices for drinking from glass, mugs, and other cutlery without physical contact with the container. 1 shows a conventional straw system 101 having a cylindrical elongated body having a hollow body 102 having two open ends 103, 104. As shown in FIG. 2, in use, the user places one end 103 of the straw system 101 within the glass 105 and drinks from the opposite end 104.

One of the problems typically associated with system 101 is when it is used for hot liquids. For example, when a hot liquid is taken from the bottom of the glass 103, the liquid is not sufficiently exposed to the air, and thus may cause discomfort to the user.

Therefore, despite the great progress made in the field of straw systems, there were still many shortcomings.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a straw that addresses the problem of inconvenient extraction of hot fluid using existing straws.

In order to solve the above problems, according to an aspect of the invention, a straw is provided, the straw comprising: an elongated body extending from a first end to a second end, the elongated body having a hollow center and an outer a surface extending through the thickness of the body and in fluid communication with the hollow center; and a sleeve slidably mated with the outer surface and configured to completely cover the opening .

Preferably, the straw further comprises: a connecting device fixed to an outer surface of the first end of the elongated body; wherein the connecting device is configured to be fixed to an inner surface of the second straw .

Preferably, the connecting means is made of an elastic material.

Preferably, the connecting device has a contoured outer surface.

Preferably, the elongated body further comprises: a first elongated passage; and a second elongated passage; wherein the second elongated passage extends parallel with respect to the hollow hollow and is in fluid communication with the first elongated passage.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a straw comprising: an elongated body extending from a first end to a second end, the elongated body comprising: a hollow center; an outer surface; a first extension channel; and a second elongate channel integrally formed with the first elongate channel; an opening extending through the thickness of the body and in fluid communication with the hollow center; An active venting device configured to mate with the opening; wherein the venting device provides an air passage to the bore.

Preferably, further comprising: a connecting device secured to an outer surface of the first end of the elongated body; wherein the connecting device is configured to be secured to an inner surface of the second straw.

Preferably, the connecting means is made of an elastic material.

Preferably, the connecting device has a contoured outer surface.

Preferably, the venting device comprises: a base configured to mate with the outer surface of the elongated body; a neck extending from the base and configured to extend through the opening And a channel connected to the neck and configured to extend within the hollow center.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method of cooling a fluid by an elongated straw, the method comprising providing the straw; and adjusting the opening with a sleeve when fluid is directed through the elongated body Air is allowed to pass through the opening.

Preferably, the method further includes providing the second elongated passage as described above; and cooling the fluid by directing air through the second elongated passage as the fluid is directed through the first elongated passage.

Exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods of the present application are provided below. It should of course be understood that in the development of a particular embodiment, many specific implementation decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, from one embodiment to another. The implementation will be different. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such development efforts may be complex and time consuming, but are still routine work for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The system and method used in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the problems discussed above in connection with conventional pipette systems. In particular, the systems and methods of the present application provide a safe and effective device for citing high temperature beverages. These and other unique features of the present systems and methods are discussed in detail below and shown in the drawings.

The structure and operation of the systems and methods used will be understood from the drawings, in conjunction with the description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that the various components, parts and features of the various embodiments may be combined and/or interchanged with each other, all of which fall within the scope of the present application, although the drawings do not show all variations and specific embodiments. . It is also to be understood that the various features, elements, and/or functions of the various embodiments are intended to be <Desc/Clms Page number>> The function can be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate.

The preferred embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the invention and its application and

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the FIGs . It should be understood that system 301 overcomes one or more of the problems typically associated with conventional pipette systems listed above.

In the contemplated embodiment, system 301 includes an elongated cylindrical body 302 having a hollow center in fluid communication with the two open ends 303, 304. The center of the body 302 is in communication with the opening 305 and the sleeve 306, the opening 305 extends through the thickness of the body 302, and the sleeve 306 mates with the body 302 and slides relative to the body 302 in the direction indicated by the arrow. In use, the end 304 is placed in the liquid, the user draws it from the other end 303, and then the sleeve 306 is manually manipulated to cover the opening 305. In the embodiment considered, the sleeve 306 extends circumferentially around the outer surface of the body and is held in place by the tight friction formed between the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the body.

It should be understood that one of the unique features of the present application is that the system 301 can be safely and effectively used to draw hot beverages. For example, when a user wants to drink a hot liquid, such as drinking coffee, tea, or soup, system 301 allows air to be mixed into the liquid through opening 305 to cool the liquid as it passes through system 301. It is contemplated that the system discussed herein can include a plurality of openings 305 and a plurality of sleeves 306.

As shown in FIG. 3B, another unique feature of the present application is a sleeve 306 that can be utilized to cover the opening 305 when the user desires to drink a liquid that does not require cooling. It should be understood that these features allow system 301 to be used at different temperatures to increase the functionality of system 301. In a preferred embodiment of the present application, it is contemplated that the sleeve 306 can be comprised of a hollow cylinder that can slidably seal the opening 305. However, alternative embodiments contemplate any feature that is capable of limiting air flow, whether movable or permanent.

Alternative embodiments of the present application also contemplate that system 301 can be permanently included in the cutlery, and that the size, shape, and materials of system 301 can vary depending on the desired functional, manufacturing, or aesthetic considerations.

While the sleeve and opening features are shown to reduce the temperature of the fluid flowing through the elongated body, it is contemplated that in alternative embodiments there may be different means to achieve the same effect.

Referring now to Figures 4A and 4B, a perspective view of a system 401 in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, system 401 is also provided with a coupling device 403 that is configured to extend circumferentially around outer surface 405 of body 302 and that is configured to mate with the inner surface of straw 407 via outer surface 409. The inner surface of the straw and the outer surface of the attachment 403 create a tight friction lock between the system and the straw. It should be understood that the device 403 has a contour that mates with a straw having a different diameter, and is preferably made of an elastic material to form a snug fit.

In addition to being illustrated as the shape of device 403, alternative embodiments may include different shapes and sizes. For example, an alternative embodiment may include a wedge shaped device in addition to the contemplated implementation.

As shown herein, it should be understood that features of the systems 301, 401 can be used with the straws shown in Figures 4A and 4B, or in place of the straws shown in Figures 3A and 3B.

FIG. 5 shows a system 501 in accordance with another embodiment of the present application. System 501 includes features of one or more of system 301 and system 401 described above.

In the embodiment considered, system 501 includes a body having a first passage 503 and a second passage 505 that are integrally interconnected, a second passage 505 and a hollow center extending through passage 503 Fluid communication. As with the system described above, system 501 includes an opening and has a sleeve 507 that extends over the opening and mates with outer surface 509. System 501 is also provided with attachment means 511 for securing the straw.

Referring to Figures 6A and 6B, a front view of an alternate embodiment is shown. In the embodiment considered, system 601 includes a straw having an elongated body 603 having a hollow center in fluid communication with opening 605. In the embodiment described above, the system 601 further includes a coupling device 607 configured to mate with the suction tube and to the outer surface 609 of the body 603. Although not shown, the attachment means 607 has a contoured outer surface area for mating with straws having different diameters.

One of the unique features of system 601 is the ability to secure venting device 611 to opening 605. To accomplish this, the venting device 611 includes a base 613, a neck 617, and a channel 615, wherein the base 613 is sized larger than the opening 605, the neck 617 extends perpendicular to the base 613, and the channel 615 is secured to the neck 617 and parallel to The base 613 extends. It should be understood that portions of the venting device 611 are in fluid communication with one another and provide an air passage therethrough as indicated by the arrows. As shown in Figure 6B, the venting device is adapted to be mounted within the opening 605 in a fixed position.

7A and 7B, a front view of a straw 701 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown. It will be appreciated that the form and function of the straw 701 is substantially similar to the straw 401 and, therefore, the straw 701 includes all of the features of the straw 401. As shown in Fig. 7B, the straw 701 is also provided with a curved portion 703 which allows the top of the elongated body to be bent. This feature provides a means of efficient use of the straw when in use.

The above-disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the embodiments can be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners. Therefore, it is obvious that the specific embodiments disclosed may be changed or modified, and all such variations are considered to fall within the scope and spirit of the present application. Therefore, the protection sought herein is set forth in the description. While the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

101, 301, 401, 501, 601‧‧ system
102‧‧‧ hollow
103, 104, 303, 304‧‧‧ open end
105‧‧‧ glass
302, 603‧‧‧ subjects
305, 605‧‧‧ openings
306, 507‧‧ ‧ sleeve
403‧‧‧Connecting device
405, 409, 509, 609‧‧‧ outer surface
407, 701‧‧ ‧ straw
503‧‧‧First Passage
505‧‧‧second channel
511, 607‧‧‧ connection device
611‧‧‧Ventilator
613‧‧‧Base
615‧‧‧ channel
617‧‧‧ neck
703‧‧‧Bend

The features and novel features of the various embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. The embodiments and the preferred embodiments, as well as other objects and advantages thereof, will be more readily understood from the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional pipette system; FIG. 2 is in use 3A and 3B are elevational views of a straw system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application, wherein air flow restriction features are located in upper and lower positions, respectively; FIGS. 4A and 4B are an alternative in accordance with the present application. 3 is a front view of a straw according to an alternative embodiment of the present application; FIGS. 6A and 6B are front views of a straw of an alternative embodiment of the present application; and FIGS. 7A and 7B are the present application. A front view of an alternate embodiment. While the system and methodologies disclosed herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternatives, the specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and are described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments disclosed, but are intended to cover the scope of the application and All modifications, equivalences and substitutions of the spirit.

501‧‧‧ system

503‧‧‧First Passage

505‧‧‧second channel

507‧‧‧ sleeve

509‧‧‧ outer surface

511‧‧‧Connecting device

Claims (11)

A straw, characterized in that the straw comprises: an elongated body extending from a first end to a second end, the elongated body having: a hollow center; and an outer surface; an opening extending Passing through the thickness of the body and in fluid communication with the hollow center; and a sleeve slidably mating with the outer surface and configured to completely cover the opening. The straw according to claim 1, wherein the straw further comprises: a connecting device fixed to an outer surface of the first end of the elongated body; wherein the connecting device is configured To fix to the inner surface of the second straw. A straw according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting means is made of an elastic material. A straw according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting device has a contoured outer surface. The straw according to claim 1, wherein the elongated body further comprises: a first elongated passage; and a second elongated passage; wherein the second elongated passage extends in parallel with respect to the hollow center and The first elongate channel is in fluid communication. A straw, characterized in that the straw comprises: an elongated body extending from a first end to a second end, the elongated body comprising: a hollow center; an outer surface; a first elongated passage; a second elongate channel integrally formed with the first elongate channel; an opening extending through a thickness of the body and in fluid communication with the hollow center; and a movable venting device, A movable venting device is configured to mate with the opening; wherein the venting device provides an air passage to the hollow center. The straw according to claim 6, wherein the straw further comprises: a connecting device fixed to an outer surface of the first end of the elongated body; wherein the connecting device is configured to Fixed to the inner surface of the second straw. A straw according to claim 7, wherein the connecting means is made of an elastic material. A straw according to claim 7, wherein the connecting device has a contoured outer surface. The straw according to claim 7, wherein the venting device comprises: a base configured to cooperate with the outer surface of the elongated body; a neck extending from the base And configured to extend through the opening; and a channel coupled to the neck and configured to extend within the hollow center. A straw according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that the straw shown is further provided with a curved portion which allows the top of the elongated body to be bent.