Drinking Straw and Embellishment System
A non-disposable decorative straw and embellishment system is provided that includes a drinking straw portion and an embellishment. The drinking straw portion includes a hollow tubular member, an exterior wall configured with at least one circumferential groove, a lower-wall section disposed below the circumferential groove, and an upper-wall section disposed above the circumferential groove. The at least one embellishment is configured to at least partially fit within the circumferential groove.
This invention relates generally to a non-disposable drinking straw having an external decorative embellishment to impart a pleasing, esthetic effect.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDrinking straws, which are adapted for conducting liquids for drinking by a user, consist of a portable tube having openings at each end. One end is placed between the user's lips and the other end is inserted into a quantity of beverage, allowing the user to conveniently consume the liquid from a cup, glass, bottle, can, or the like.
Drinking straws provide several advantages to users beyond convenience. Many beverages stain the front teeth, but using a straw directs the beverage past the front teeth, thereby reducing or eliminating tooth staining. Many women prefer to use a straw to prevent the untidiness of lipstick on the rim of a glass. Straws are also useful for people with some particular disabilities and for the numerous people who have sensitive teeth or fillings. Plus, the use of a drinking straw with a lid prevents accidental spillage of the beverage.
However, drinking straws are typically of the disposable type. Be Straw Free at Ecocycle.org reports that Americans use 500 million disposable straws a day. The manufacture, transport, storage, and disposal of this vast number of disposable straws are detrimental to the environment, wasting energy and materials, as well as adding to the quantity of trash contained in landfills.
Though novelty drinking straws have been provided that include illumination, a sound-emitting feature, a bendable section, or a twisted shape, they have generally been designed to entertain or amuse children. Currently, there is no non-disposable straw that is appealing enough to users to justify the small amount of effort required for the user to carry a non-disposable straw. A customized or customizable aesthetically attractive drinking straw system is needed that is sufficiently pleasing to own and convenient to use that significant numbers of consumers will be compelled to switch from disposable to non-disposable straws.
Therefore, there is a need for a decorative drinking straw and embellishment system that is sufficiently appealing that the user will keep and re-use the straw, thereby conserving resources by reducing the hundreds of millions of straws produced and disposed of daily.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to a non-disposable, decorative straw and embellishment system. The straw system includes a drinking straw tubular portion and an external decorative element or embellishment portion, which may be permanently affixed to, or removable from, the straw tubular portion. The hollow drinking straw tubular member includes an exterior wall configured with a circumferential groove for receiving the embellishment, a lower-wall section disposed below the circumferential groove, and an upper-wall section disposed above the circumferential groove. The circumferential groove for receiving the embellishment is a channel that may encircle the entire circumference of the hollow drinking straw tubular member or may only extend around a portion of the circumference of the tubular member. The embellishment is a decorative element that is attached or attachable at least partially within the circumferential groove.
The appealing appearance of the decorative straw and embellishment system of the present invention provides enjoyment to the user and may be admired by others. This enjoyment offsets the small trouble of carrying one's own non-disposable straw, which reduces disposable straw usage and provides environmental and economic advantages. The use of the decorative straw also helps to prevent tooth staining.
An object of the present invention is to provide a straw and embellishment system that is not disposable, but is intended to be reused many times.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a straw and embellishment system that is aesthetically pleasing and appealing.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a straw and embellishment system that, if used in place of disposable straws, helps reduce waste and reduce resource usage.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follow.
The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONShown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward a non-disposable, decorative novelty straw and embellishment system, shown generally as reference number 10. Seven embodiments of the straw system are presented with a variety of embellishments 20, which are permanently affixed or interchangeable decorative elements that fit at least partially within the one or more concave circumferential grooves 22 encircling the hollow tubular member 11. The distinctive, stylish design of the inventive straw system provides an incentive for consumers to forego disposable straws, providing a look of distinction and making a fashion statement while protecting the front teeth from staining. Other advantages of the non-disposable decorative novelty straw include the reduction of disposable straw manufacturing material use, transport energy costs, and waste disposal.
Referring now to
The hollow tubular member 11 extends from proximal end 14 to distal end 13. The hollow tubular member 11 is formed of a known or inventive base material, such as any base material that may typically be used for forming straws, and may include, for example, plastic, paperboard, wood, bamboo, metal, or the like. The hollow tubular member 11 has an outer wall 31 and an interior tubular surface 26 (
The embellishment 20 may be any decoration that at least partially fits within the circumferential groove 22 and that enhances the style and look of the decorative straw. For example, the embellishment 20 may be formed of a jewelry item (such as the natural or manmade gemstones secured within the circumferential groove 22, as shown in
In the first embodiment as seen in
Shoulder 42 is a recession carved out of upper-wall section 16, formed at the junction of the upper-wall section 16 and mid-wall section 15, which has a depth D1 measured from the upper surface of mid-wall 15 to the upper surface of upper-wall section 16. Shoulder 43 is a recession carved out of lower-wall section 19, formed at the junction of the lower-wall section 19 and mid-wall section 15, which has a depth D2 measured from the upper surface of mid-wall 15 to the upper surface of lower-wall section 19. Whether the shoulders 42, 43 are substantially right angles or are sloped, they have a depth of D1 and D2, respectively. The depth of Y2 of the floor of the circumferential groove 22 plus the depth D1 of shoulder 42 is substantially equal to the depth Y1 of the upper-wall section 16. The depth of Y2 of the floor of the circumferential groove 22 plus the depth D2 of shoulder 43 is substantially equal to the depth Y3 of the lower-wall section 19.
As seen in
The mid-wall section 15 forms the floor of the circumferential groove 22, with the circumferential groove 22 having a length of L1. The upper-wall section 16 has a depth (or thickness) greater than the depth (or thickness) of the mid-wall section 15; the area where the upper-wall section 16 meets the shallower and thinner mid-wall section 15 forms a shoulder 42 having a depth D1. The lower-wall section 19 has a depth (or thickness) greater than the depth (or thickness) of the mid-wall section 15. The area where the thicker lower-wall section 19 meets the thinner mid-wall section 15 forms a shoulder 43 having a depth D2. Depth D1 may substantially equal depth D2; however the depth D1 and depth D2 are not required to be equal. If D1 and D2 vary in depth, the depth D of the circumferential groove 22 is defined as the depth of the smaller of D1 or D2. The shoulders 42, 43 may be angular or smooth; the outer edges of shoulders 42, 43 may have a slight ridge for further securing the embellishment 20 within the circumferential groove 22. The cross-sectional contour of the circumferential groove may be rectangular-shaped or U-shaped, with or without ridges.
The depth of the embellishment 20 (shown as D8 in
Though the hollow tubular member 11 may be designed and manufactured in any of a variety of lengths, a standard size for general consumer use with standard drink cups may preferably be between 15 and 30 cm in length. In this standard-size hollow tubular member 11, the length L1 of the circumferential groove 22 may be within the range of 0.5 to 15 cm, and the depth D of the circumferential groove 22 of may be within the range of 0.5 to 10 mm. However, straws 10 for non-standard applications may have measurements that vary from the stated ranges.
The circumferential groove 22, except in the fifth embodiment of the invention, is disposed above the typical level of the liquid within a container, which is within the upper one half of the hollow tubular member 11 and is preferably within the upper one third of hollow tubular member 11. Advantageously, when the embellishment 20 does not extend into the liquid being consumed, the embellishment 20 is protected from the liquid and remains unsoiled, reducing the need for cleaning.
As illustrated in
The cuff-type embellishment 30 may be cylindrical in shape with an inner cuff wall 46 defining an axial cavity 48 (
In
The cuff-type embellishment 30 may be configured with a cuff ornamentation to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the cuff. The ornamentation may be a graphic image 32 (
The graphic image 32 may be inscribed within, embroidered upon, printed upon, engraved upon, adhered to, molded with, or otherwise applied to, or viewable from, the exterior surface of the cuff-type embellishment 30. The graphic image 32 may be a picture, diagram, motif, figure, shape, logo, or other design that may appeal to a consumer.
The attached enhancing accessory 33 adds distinction and interest to the cuff-type embellishment 30. The enhancing accessory 33 may be one or more small, separate elements that are attached or attachable to the cuff-type embellishment 30 by means of an attachment device 39. The enhancing accessory 33 may be attached in any location on the cuff exterior—for example a small charm may be attached in the center of the cuff or a strand of beads may accent the edges of the cuff. The enhancing accessory 33 may be any known or inventive small ornament, trinket, bauble, amulet, lace, feather, strand of decorative trim, or the like, used singly or in combination, which may add interest and/or style to the cuff-type embellishment 30. The attachment device 39 may be any known or inventive connective mechanism that connects the enhancing accessory 33 to the body of the embellishment 20 and may be a single element or joined elements. For instance, the attachment device 39 may be a chain loop, interlocked chains, adhesive, wire, cords, jump rings, other jewelry-type attachments, stitching, embroidery, complementary hook-and-loop fasteners, or the like.
The cuff-type embellishment 30 of
A third exemplary embodiment is illustrated in
The fourth embodiment of the straw and embellishment system 10 shown in
In this fourth embodiment, the circumferential groove 22 comprises multiple separate grooves 22a, 22b, and 22c. Each of the multiple grooves 22a, 22b, 22c are defined by a mid-wall section 15a, 15b, 15c, an upper shoulder 42a, 42b, 42c, and a lower shoulder 43a, 43b, 43c, respectively. The mid-wall sections 15a, 15b, 15c are thinner than the lower-wall section 19 and upper-wall section 16.
The fifth embodiment of the straw and embellishment system 10 shown in
The sixth embodiment of the straw and embellishment system 10, illustrated in
In the first aspect of
In the second aspect shown in
The incorporation of either the wedge-type or angular-type depth reducer 55 provides sufficient depth for the circumferential groove 22 to receive the embellishment 20 within straw 10, while allowing the consumer to experience the expected thin proximal end wall 27. Consequently, the consumer is satisfied with the mouth feel, but the technical difficulty in accommodating embellishment 20 substantially within the circumferential groove 22 is solved.
The internal depth reducer 55 presented as the sixth embodiment may be used with any of the embodiments of the straw and embellishment system 10 of the present invention.
The seventh embodiment of the straw and embellishment system 10, illustrated in
The dual shapes of the hollow tubular member 11 include an upper portion (upper-wall section 16) having a circular cross-section, as shown in FIG. The oval-shaped lower portion 19 of the straw 10 is adapted to fit within a narrow oval lid opening 38 (such as may be found in some types of drink lids, particularly lids for hot drink cups with narrow, oval openings). The seventh embodiment provides an expected thin circular cross-section at proximal end wall 27, yet is narrowed to fit a specialized lid opening 38. The narrowing and/or change in shape may occur at any point along straw 10, such as partially below mid-wall section 15, at the junction of mid-wall section 15 and lower-wall section 19, at the junction of mid-wall section 15 and upper-wall section 16, a short distance from the junction of mid-wall section 15 and upper-wall section 16, or a short distance from the junction of mid-wall section 15 and lower-wall section 19 (as shown).
The seventh embodiment demonstrates that the decorative drinking straw 10 of the invention can be modified to fit within specialized lids and that the upper-wall section 16 need not be shaped similarly to the lower-wall section 19. Yet the straw 10 still provides the decorative embellishment 20 to add to the aesthetic enjoyment. The seventh embodiment also demonstrates that the depth reducer 55 of the sixth embodiment can be used with any of the embodiments of the invention.
Optionally, the case 60 may include an accessory pocket 61 formed at the end of the main pocket 65, which may be used by the consumer to contain accessory cuffs 30, enhancing accessory 33, or other small accessories.
Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Claims
1. A straw system, comprising:
- a hollow tubular member comprising an interior tubular member surface and an exterior wall; wherein said exterior wall comprises an upper-wall section, at least one lower-wall section, and at least one mid-wall section; wherein said upper-wall section has a depth Y1 that is greater than the depth Y2 of said at least one mid-wall section; wherein said at least one lower-wall section has a depth Y3 that is greater than the depth Y2 of said at least one mid-wall section; wherein said upper-wall section has an upper-wall proximal and distal end; wherein each one of said at least one mid-wall section has a mid-wall upper surface, a mid-wall proximal end, and a mid-wall distal end; wherein each one of said lower-wall sections has a lower-wall proximal and distal end; wherein said upper-wall distal end adjoins a first one of said at least one mid-wall proximal ends forming an upper shoulder having a depth D1; wherein a first one of said lower-wall proximal ends adjoins a first one of said at least one mid-wall distal ends forming a lower shoulder having a depth D2; and wherein said upper shoulder, said lower shoulder, and said mid-wall upper surface define a circumferential groove forming a concave channel encircling said hollow tubular member; and
- a decorative embellishment having a length less than or equal to the length of said circumferential groove; wherein said circumferential groove is configured to receive said embellishment; and wherein said embellishment, when received by said circumferential grove, is maintained isolated from said interior tubular member surface.
2. The straw system of claim 1 wherein said embellishment is permanently attached to said hollow tubular member.
3. The straw system of claim 2 wherein said embellishment comprises multiple ornamental elements secured within said circumferential groove.
4. The straw system of claim 1 wherein said embellishment is manually separable from said hollow tubular member.
5. The straw system of claim 4 wherein said embellishment comprises a cuff comprising a generally rigid partial cylindrical tube having an inner circumference slightly greater than the outer circumference of said at least one mid-wall section and having two opposing parallel longitudinal edges defining a longitudinal slit extending from the top to the bottom of said partial cylindrical tube, wherein said generally rigid partial cylindrical tube has enough elasticity to allow said cuff to be manually engaged within said circumferential groove.
6. The straw system of claim 4 wherein said embellishment comprises a flexible material and opposing attachment mechanisms; wherein said embellishment comprises an upper end and an opposing lower end, a first side end configured with a first one of said opposing attachment mechanisms, and an opposing second side end configured with a second one of said opposing attachment mechanisms; wherein said embellishment has a sufficient width to allow said first side end to overlap upon said opposing second side end; and wherein, when said first side end overlaps said second side end, said opposing attachment mechanisms join said first side end to said opposing second side end.
7. The straw system of claim 4 wherein said embellishment comprises a long, thin flexible strand of sufficient length to be wound within said circumferential groove to substantially cover said at least one mid-wall section.
8. The straw system of claim 1 wherein said straw system further comprises an enhancing accessory element secured to said embellishment.
9. The straw system of claim 1 wherein said circumferential groove comprises two circumferential grooves; said at least one mid-wall section comprises two mid-wall sections; and wherein a first one of said two mid-wall sections forms the floor of a first one of said two circumferential grooves; and wherein a second one of said two mid-wall sections forms the floor of a second one of said two circumferential grooves.
10. The straw system of claim 1 wherein the depth D of said circumferential groove is within the range of 0.5<D<15 mm.
11. The straw system of claim 1 wherein the length L1 of said circumferential groove is within the range of 0.5>L1>10 cm.
12. The straw system of claim 1 wherein said upper-wall section has a circular-shaped cross-section and said lower-wall section has an oval-shaped cross-section.
13. The straw system of claim 1 wherein said upper-wall section includes an upper-wall proximal end and an upper-wall distal end; and wherein said upper-wall section comprises an integrally formed interior depth reducer portion, wherein said upper-wall distal end has a greater depth and said upper-wall proximal end has a comparatively lesser depth.
14. A straw system, comprising:
- a hollow tubular member comprising an interior surface and an exterior wall; wherein said exterior wall comprises an upper-wall section, at least one lower-wall section, and at least one mid-wall section; wherein said upper-wall section has a depth Y1 that is greater than the depth Y2 of said at least one mid-wall section; wherein said at least one lower-wall section has a depth Y3 that is greater than the depth Y2 of said at least one mid-wall section; wherein said upper-wall section has an upper-wall proximal and distal end; wherein each one of said at least one mid-wall section has a mid-wall upper surface, a mid-wall proximal end, and a mid-wall distal end; wherein each one of said lower-wall sections has a lower-wall proximal and distal end; wherein said upper-wall distal end adjoins a first one of said at least one mid-wall proximal ends forming an upper shoulder having a depth D1; wherein a first one of said lower-wall proximal ends adjoins a first one of said at least one mid-wall distal ends forming a lower shoulder having a depth D2; and wherein said upper shoulder, said lower shoulder, and said mid-wall upper surface define a circumferential groove forming a concave channel within the upper one half of the hollow tubular member and at least partially encircling said hollow tubular member; and wherein said upper-wall section is not of consistent thickness, but comprises an integrally formed interior depth reducer portion, wherein said upper-wall distal end has a greater depth and said upper-wall proximal end has a comparatively lesser depth; and
- a decorative embellishment comprising multiple ornamental elements permanently attached substantially within said circumferential groove; wherein said decorative embellishment has a length less than or equal to the length of said one circumferential groove; wherein said decorative embellishment is maintained isolated from said interior surface.
15. The straw system of claim 14 wherein said circumferential groove comprises two circumferential grooves; said at least one mid-wall section comprises two mid-wall sections; and wherein a first one of said two mid-wall sections forms the floor of a first one of said two circumferential grooves; and wherein a second one of said two mid-wall sections forms the floor of a second one of said two circumferential grooves.
16. A straw system comprising:
- a hollow tubular member comprising an interior surface and an exterior wall; wherein said exterior wall comprises an upper-wall section, at least one lower-wall section, and at least one mid-wall section; wherein said upper-wall section has a depth Y1 that is greater than the depth Y2 of said at least one mid-wall section; wherein said at least one lower-wall section has a depth Y3 that is greater than the depth Y2 of said at least one mid-wall section; wherein said upper-wall section has an upper-wall proximal and distal end; wherein each one of said at least one mid-wall section has a mid-wall upper surface, a mid-wall proximal end, and a mid-wall distal end; wherein each one of said lower-wall sections has a lower-wall proximal and distal end; wherein said upper-wall distal end adjoins a first one of said at least one mid-wall proximal ends forming an upper shoulder having a depth D1; wherein a first one of said lower-wall proximal ends adjoins a first one of said at least one mid-wall distal ends forming a lower shoulder having a depth D2; and wherein said upper shoulder, said lower shoulder, and said mid-wall upper surface define a circumferential groove forming a concave channel within the upper one half of the hollow tubular member and at least partially encircling said hollow tubular member; and wherein said upper-wall section is not of consistent thickness, but comprises an integrally formed interior depth reducer portion, wherein said upper-wall distal end has a greater depth and said upper-wall proximal end has a comparatively lesser depth; and
- a decorative embellishment that is manually removably attachable substantially within said circumferential groove; wherein said decorative embellishment has a length less than or equal to the length of said circumferential groove; and wherein said decorative embellishment is maintained isolated from said interior tubular surface.
17. The decorative straw of claim 14 wherein said decorative embellishment comprises a cuff comprising a generally rigid partial cylindrical tube having an inner circumference slightly greater than the outer circumference of said at least one mid-wall section and having two opposing parallel longitudinal edges defining a longitudinal slit extending from the top to the bottom of said partial cylindrical tube, wherein said generally rigid partial cylindrical tube has enough elasticity to allow said cuff to be manually engaged within said circumferential groove.
18. The straw system of claim 14 wherein said embellishment comprises a flexible material and opposing attachment mechanisms; wherein said embellishment comprises an upper end and an opposing lower end, a first side end configured with a first one of said opposing attachment mechanisms, and an opposing second side end configured with a second one of said opposing attachment mechanisms; wherein said embellishment has a sufficient width to allow said first side end to overlap upon said opposing second side end; and wherein, when said first side end overlaps said second side end, said opposing attachment mechanisms join said first side end to said opposing second side end.
19. The straw system of claim 14 wherein said straw system further comprises an enhancing accessory element secured to said embellishment.
20. The straw system of claim 14 wherein said circumferential groove comprises two circumferential grooves; said at least one mid-wall section comprises two mid-wall sections; and wherein a first one of said two mid-wall sections forms the floor of a first one of said two circumferential grooves; and wherein a second one of said two mid-wall sections forms the floor of a second one of said two circumferential grooves.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 14, 2013
Publication Date: Jan 15, 2015
Inventors: Tracy A. Whittaker (Henderson, NV), Jeffrey Polakowski (Henderson, NV)
Application Number: 13/941,538
International Classification: A47G 21/18 (20060101);