Straw Extension for Capped Containers

Not applicable.

The present invention relates in general to straws for drinking beverages, and in particular a collapsible extension for a beverage straw. Most particularly, a straw extension to permit a straw to automatically collapse for storage and expand for use with closing and opening of a cap on the beverage container.

It is common for beverage containers, such as water bottles to have a spout for drinking. In some cases, however, the user may prefer to drink the beverage using a straw. The straw would be inserted into the container via the container spout, and the drinking end of the straw would extend outward through that spout for access by the user. To prevent spilling, it is often desired to use a cap to close the container and in particular to seal the spout.

A rigid straw which has a length to rest on the bottom of the container and extend through the spout would prevent placement of the cap to close the container. To overcome this, it has been proposed to form the straw with a section similar to a coil spring. Examples of this are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,296 to DiBaggio. This new straw solved some problems, but created some new problems. These problems using a coil-spring type straw were then solved by the prior art use of a relatively rigid straw having an elastic tubular straw extension on it's inner end.

This prior art tubular straw extension also created new problems.

An object of the present invention is to provide a straw extension allowing a container to employ a straw which automatically extends upon opening a container cap, and which automatically collapses upon closing a container cap.

This and other objects are achieved by a straw extension for capped containers. The straw extension is preferably a monolithic elastic body which includes a connector head which may attach to a straw. Extending from the connector head is a main body. The main body has a complex curvilinear form which is semi-helical. This complex for allows manufacture using normal methods, but collapses more easily and has reduced chance of being blocked during collapse.

With reference to, a straw extension for capped containers according to the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral. The containergenerally includes a container body, a cover, a cap, a straw, and a straw extension. Each will be described in more detail below, including their interaction.

As best illustrated in, the container bodyis intended to hold a beverage, and includes a basehaving an outer periphery. Extending upward form the periphery of baseis one or more sidewalls, with the sidewalls terminating at an upper rim. In the preferred embodiment shown, the sidewallsnarrow to a rim of reduced size, but this is not required. As may be seen, the various elements of the container bodytogether define a container interior to hold and retain a beverage.

The coveris secured to the upper rim. This may be by a threaded connection, an interference fit, adhesive, welding or similar. In the embodiment shown, the coveris secured by threads to allow removal of the coverfrom container body. This is not required, and the covermay be an integral part of container body. Coverincludes a central bodywhich extends over and closes the upper rim, combining with the container bodyto define the container interior and in particular blocking flow of the beverage out of (or contaminants in through) the upper rim. Central bodymay be planar, domed, concave or more complex forms. In the embodiment shown, it is generally planar.

In order to allow the user access to the beverage, the central bodyincludes an opening. While not required (as discussed more fully below), it is preferred that coverfurther include a spout. Spoutincludes a spout wallextending from the periphery of the opening, and extending outward to a spout rim. As is known, the user may press their lips to the spout rimand/or spout wallwhile tilting the container bodyto drink directly from the container body without use of the straw.

The strawmay take a variety of forms, but would typically be a standard linear tube allowing the beverage to flow there through as is well known. Strawmay be formed of a variety of materials: while plastics such as polypropylene are preferred, other materials such as metals or ceramics could be used. All that is required is that strawbe sufficiently rigid and self-supporting to maintain its form during closure of the capand movement of the straw from the operative to the storage position. Strawhas an inner endintended to be located within the container body, and an outer endintended to engaged by the user's mouth for sipping the beverage within the container body. The distinction of inner end and outer endandmay be due to physical differences such as differing diameters, differing shapes, etc. In the preferred embodiment shown, there is no physical distinction between these inner and outer endsand, and in practice they may be interchanged: the strawis formed by simple drawing or extrusion and whichever end the user inserts within the container body being the inner end, and the other end being the outer end.

A main feature of the present invention is the straw extension. Straw extensionis essentially an elastic self-supporting tubular member. To this end, the straw extensionis formed of an elastic material suitable for food applications, such as a rubber or silicone, and is preferably (but not necessarily) formed as a monolithic member of silicone. Straw extensionincludes an upper end, and extends toward a lower end. As best illustrated in, the upper endincludes a straw openingand the lower endincludes an inlet opening, and the openingandare in fluid communication via a tubular cavitysuch that the beverage may flow through the straw extensionsimilar to straw. This tubular cavityhas along it's length a centerline(). The straw openingis sized and shaped to receive the inner endof strawwith an interference fit, which is enhanced by the elastic nature of the straw extension. This will hold the straw extensionto the strawduring normal use but will allow removal for cleaning, and then allow for reassembly by the user.

As illustrated in, it is preferred, but not required, that the various elements be sized for automatic operation: that the capmay be closed and opened without being blocked by the straw; and that the strawwill extend outward to an operable position when the capis open, and withdraw when the capis closed. The length of the strawand straw extensionare chosen such that when the extension lower endis resting upon the basethe outer endof strawwill extend beyond the spout rim. This operative position is shown in, and it is apparent that the user may engage the straw outer endwith their lips to drink. As shown in, as the capis moved from the open position of(and) towards the closed position (of), the capwill abut the outer endof strawat some partially closed position of cap. Further movement of the capto the closed position will place a downward force on the strawand extension. This force will cause the extensionto buckle and collapse, allowing the strawto move downward with the still-closing cap. This will continue until the capis in its fully closed position and the strawis in the storage position of, which also shows the extensionin its fully buckled and collapsed configuration. It is important to note that as used herein, the term “collapsed” is intended to exclude compression, as with compression of a coil spring.

This general use of elastic deformation to permit a straw to move to a storage position when a cap is closed, and expand to an operative position when a cap is opened is known in the art. The straw of DiBaggio includes a lower portion formed as an expanding helical spring, with the helical spring portion expanding and compressing as with a typical helical spring. This has three disadvantages.

First, the expanding helical portion of DiBaggio must be a rather large diameter. This is due to the properties of the material forming the straw. If formed of a highly flexible material (such as silicone) the helical spring section would compress under it's own weight. Using a material which will not only support it's own weight but expand as a spring (to extend upon opening the cap) of necessity requires a larger diameter coil. This large diameter of the helical portion limits the positions which the interior portion of the straw may take within the container. To provide contrast, the strawand extensionof the present invention have a relatively small diameter to allow the lower endof extensionto rest at many different locations upon the base, as illustrated by comparison of. This results in the outer endof strawtaking highly variable angles with regard to the cover, allowing the user to hold the container bodyat many different angles as per their preference. In contrast, DiBaggio discloses an expanding helical straw end intended to compress and expand, and due to this large diameter, the inner end of the straw would be limited in its movement. This in turn limits the angle possible for the outer end of the straw. As such, the present invention provides the user with greater variation in how they may hold the container bodywhile still drinking comfortably.

A second disadvantage of the helical compression straw of DiBaggio is the difficulty to manufacture. As noted, the material of the helical portion need by relatively rigid to be self-supporting. This would prohibit molding to the final helical form. As such, manufacture of the helical portion (and likely the entire straw if monolithic) would require an initial molding step to a relatively linear form and then a secondary bending step to the helical form. This additional step obviously increases time and expense. Further, many preferred plastic materials for such a straw would not permit secondary forming in this manner.

A third disadvantage of the helical compression straw of DiBaggio relates to ease of use. The straw of DiBaggio includes the expanding helical section with a large diameter allowing compression. This also prevents the helical compression straw of DiBaggio from being removed via the spout (in the present invention). If the user desires to place the straw aside and drink directly from the spout, then the entire cover would need to be removed. Similarly, the entire cover would need to be removed before the straw could be removed for cleaning. The extensionof the present invention, however, has a small diameter permitting the extensionto be easily removed via the spout. With the present invention there is no need to remove the coverto remove the strawand extension.

These disadvantages of the large diameter helical spring segment have already been solved by the prior art, but in a way which brings a new set of disadvantages. In particular, the prior art has already found an improvement over DiBaggio by the use of a relatively rigid straw (similar to straw) combined with a tubular elastic straw extension having a diameter to interference fit on the inner end of the straw, similar to the present invention. It may be envisioned that this prior art improvement solves the problems with the DiBaggio helical straw: the smaller diameter of the tubular extension permits the straw to achieve many angles; the two-piece nature and tubular form of both elements allows easier manufacture, and the smaller diameter and tubular form allows removal of the straw via the cover spout without removing the cover. What is less apparent, is that this prior art tubular elastic straw extension operates differently that the straw of DiBaggio. The helical portion of DiBaggio is compressed as with a typical helical spring. In contrast, the tubular elastic extension of the prior art buckles and collapses, similar to a column breaking.

The prior art tubular extension collapses similar to a column, precisely because it is shaped as a column. Columns are common structural components due to their ability to resist compressive forces. As such, the tubular prior art straw extensions require appreciable pressure to initially collapse, which makes it difficult to close the container cap or otherwise collapse the straw. This increased force to cause buckling (compared to compression of DiBaggio) is a disadvantage.

Additionally, once buckling occurs this buckling itself creates another problem. The prior art tubular extension is elastic, and as such the compressive force upon the straw leading to buckling will first cause the lowermost end of the elastic extension to be held more firmly in place against the container base due to increased friction. As the tubular straw extension buckles, it does not fracture but remains a connected monolithic unit. In practice, because the lowermost end of the tubular extension is held in place against the base of the container due to friction, this means that the point at which the tubular extension buckles (typically near the mi-point) will move laterally outward. Upon buckling, the entire prior art tubular extension will take a form similar to the “less than” mathematical operator “<”.

The direction of lateral movement for this mid-point of the tubular extension is theoretically random. In practice, however, the typical orientation of the straw, plus slight lateral forces exerted upon the straw by the closing cap will often cause the lateral movement to be in a direction toward the closest sidewall of the container. In particular, with reference tothe prior art tubular extension (not shown) would typically buckle as a “<” shape with the mid-point of the prior art tubular extension moving laterally to the left. As may be envisioned, the left-most sidewall of the container would block this movement, and this block full buckling of the prior art tubular extension. As with the lowermost end of the tubular extension, this mid-point of the tubular extension is similarly made of the same elastic material, which will have a relatively high friction against the sidewall it now abuts. This friction inhibits any sliding of the mid-point to the left or right to allow rotation of the tubular extension, which might free the tubular extension to allow more buckling. As may be envisioned, the prior art tubular extension is often blocked during the buckling process and it is increasingly difficult to push the straw into the storage position within the container even after the initial greater difficulty in forcing the tubular extension to initially buckle.

The present invention seeks to improve upon this prior art tubular extension. This is achieved by combining features of both prior art devices, but which when combined operate in a different manner than either alone. The structure of the straw extension of the present invention will first be described, and then the advantages.

As best illustrated in, the straw extensionincludes a connector headand a main bodyextending from the connector head. As noted previously, it is preferred by not required that the connector headand main bodybe a monolithic unit. The connector headis a short segment having a tubular form and intended to act as a connector for the attaching to the (similarly tubular) straw. The free end of the connector headcomprises the upper endhaving the straw opening. The main bodyextends downward form the connector head, and the free end of the main bodycomprises the lower endwhich includes the inlet opening. As noted, the openingsandare in fluid communication via a tubular cavity, and this tubular cavityruns the entire length of straw extension, and thus through each of the connector headand main body. Again, this tubular cavityhas along it's length the centerline(). In contrast to the prior art tubular column form, the main bodyof the straw extensionhas a curvilinear form. This curvilinear form appears generally helical in, but is more complex. This complexity is illustrated via the design process in-

illustrates the steps in the design process for the main body, as this is the best method of describing it's geometry. In, the main bodyhas not yet been designed, so the connector headis all that is shown. Extending from the top of the connector headis the centerline. Extending from the bottom of the connector headis a linear extension, and this extensionrepresents an imaginary linear continuation of the center linedownward from the connector head. It is important to note and clarify that linear extensionis not the centerlineof the straw extension, but an imaginary continuation of the centerline.

This samealso includes an imaginary curve line. The curve linemay take many forms, but in the present invention the curve lineincludes a first curve sectionwhich begins tangent to linear extensionbut curves outward and away form the linear extension. The curve linefurther includes a second curve sectionwhich begins tangent to first section, but then curves inward toward the linear extension. In the preferred embodiment shown the second curve sectionintersects the linear extensionat an acute angle.

In the second step of the design process, shown in, this curve lineis rotated about the linear extensionto form a three dimensional projection surface. As shown, and as following the first and second curve sectionand, the projection surface takes the form of a pointed teardrop solid which is symmetric about the linear extension.

The next step of the design process, illustrated in, is to form a helical reference lineabout the linear extension. The helical reference lineshall have a constant radius about the linear extension; in other words the helical reference line has as its longitudinal center line the linear extension. Further the helical reference line has a radius greater than that of the largest diameter of the projection surface. The helical reference linewill have an upper end just at the start of the linear extension. Put another way, this upper end begins at a longitudinal point just where the connector headends (and therefore also where the main bodywill eventually begin.

The next step of the design process is illustrated in. Here, a marking line (not shown for clarity) has an inner end extending radially outward from, and normal (perpendicular) to, the linear extension. The outer end of the marking line intersects the helical reference line. Given that the projection surfaceis a solid rotated about the linear extension, this marking line must also intersect the projection surfaceat a specific point between the linear extensionand helical reference line.

This marking line is then moved downward along the length of the linear extensionand helical reference line. As the marking line moves downward along the length of the linear extensionit maintains it normal orientation thereto. Further, the outer end of the making line continues to intersect helical reference line. As the marking line moves downward along the linear extensionthe marking line rotates about the linear extensionas the outer end of the making line continues to intersect the helical reference line. As this marking line is moved downward, it also continues to intersect the projection surface, creating a locus of points on the projection surfacewhich defines the centerlineof the main body.

With the centerlineso defined upon the projection surface, it is then a simple matter of designing the main bodyto conform it's curvature to accommodate the centerline. The lower endof straw extensionmay be set at any desired point providing proper length for the desired combination of strawand extension. In the preferred embodiment the lower endis formed in a manner to provide further advantage. In particular, the lower endis spaced from the intersection of the projection surfaceand linear extension. As the centerlineis located on the projection surface, this means that the lower endis spaced radially outward from the linear extension. In this manner, the lower endis also radially offset from the strawand the forces along the straw forcing collapse of straw extension. Thus the extensionof the present invention also avoids the purely compressive forces associated with a purely-tubular prior art extension. This radial/lateral offset of the lower endwill make collapse of extensioneasy of achieve for the user.

Additionally, it is clear that the complex form of the centerlinewill result in main bodyhaving a complex curvilinear form, which may be described as semi-helical. As may be envisioned, as a section of the main bodybuckles, it too may move to abut against an interior of container sidewall. However, unlike the prior art, the complex semi-helical form of the extensionwill cause rotation of the extensionalong the sidewallto clear any obstruction against buckling. In this manner, the extensionof the present invention avoids a further problem of the prior art.

Finally, the curvature of the extensionis geometrically complex but the curvatures may be formed with relatively small angles as shown. As such, manufacture of the extensionmay be readily achieved using standard compression or other molding methods on a mass production scale. This solves a further problem of the prior art.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all ends and objects set forth above together with the other advantages which are inherent within its structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth of shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.