Abstract: A drinking mug with integral straw includes a cup-like vessel portion, and a straw portion having an internal passage joined in fluid communication with an interior volume of the vessel portion. The straw portion is preferably positioned in spaced apart relationship to the vessel portion, whereby the straw portion can be easily gripped for holding the mug during use. Notably, the straw portion includes a plurality of subdivisions in the internal passage arranged in series flow relationship, with each of the subdivisions including a pair of sections through which liquid can flow. Thus, as liquid is drawn through the straw portion from the vessel portion, the liquid flow is repeatedly subdivided and joined as liquid flows through the series of subdivisions. By formation of the present drinking mug from transparent plastic material, the flow of liquid from the vessel portion through the straw portion is readily visually apparent, thus enhancing enjoyable use of the article.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 24, 2000
Date of Patent:
March 4, 2003
Assignee:
Arrow Plastic Manufacturing Co.
Inventors:
Robert Kleckauskas, Bruce Ronner, Robert Giacolo, David W. Heidlauf
Inventors:
Charles Brewer, Bruce Cohen, James Cohen, John P. Coursey, Paul Doczy, Robert Giacola, Robert Kleckauskas, Tomas Matusaitis, Bruce Ronner, Rita Sifuentes, Michael Thuma