Soft drinks such as fruit juices, cordials and flavoured milk products are commonly marketed in disposable cartons or other packaging, often containing a single serving of the drink. An aperture is usually provided in the carton, sealed with a plastics or metallic foil, and a flexible plastics drinking straw is packaged together with the carton. The straw is used both to pierce the foil and to enable the contents of the package to be consumed directly without having to be first poured into a glass. Such drinks packages find particular use in the packaging of children's drinks, as they enable immediate consumption of the contents, and are suitable for use when travelling etc.

This type of packaging has many advantages, including for example low cost of manufacture and use of recyclable materials, and there has been much activity in recent years in relation to the development of the packaging technology. Despite this, little if any, attention has been made to improving the drinking straw supplied with such packages.

The use of a conventional drinking straw with drinks packages as described above, does however have several drawbacks, particularly where the drink is intended for consumption by young children : Firstly, a young child can pull the straw completely out of the drinks package, thus spraying or flicking small amounts of the drink onto himself or his surroundings.

Secondly, the child can push the straw entirely into the package, from where it is impossible to retrieve without cutting open the package.

A third drawback arises from the use of a conventional drinking straw when the package is constructed from a flexible material such as waxed cardboard, or flexible plastics material, as is often the case. With such packages, the application of even a small amount of pressure to the package - such as being manually squeezed by a child-can increase the internal pressure to such an extent that the drink rises up the straw and squirts out through the open end thereof.

A fourth problem is that once the carton is opened, by piercing the aperture with the straw, it cannot conveniently be re-sealed. Thus, if the carton is accidentally knocked over-as is not uncommon with young children-the contents will spill out through the inserted straw and/or the pierced aperture.

The present invention seeks to address at least one, and preferably all of the problems outlined above. The first and second stated problems are addressed by ensuring that a selected region, located part-way along the length of the drinking straw, is retained in the aperture. In this way, both complete withdrawal of the straw from the aperture, and complete insertion of the straw through the aperture, are avoided. The third and fourth problems outlined above are addressed, respectively, by maintaining an air gap between the straw and the aperture, and/or by providing means for temporarily re-sealing the aperture.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for improving the performance of a drinking straw, said device comprising at least one of the following components :

- (A) withdrawal prevention means adapted to permit insertion of part of said device through an aperture of a drinks package, but to prevent withdrawal thereof back through said aperture; - (B) over-insertion prevention means adapted to prevent said device being fully inserted through said aperture; - (C) means for maintaining air flow between the interior of said drinks package and the ambient; and - (D) means for temporarily re-sealing said aperture.

Preferably, the device comprises at least two of components (A), (B), (C) and (D). More preferably, the device comprises at least three of said components. Most preferably, the device comprises all four said components.

The device according to the present invention may be formed either as an integral part of a modified drinking straw or as an accessory for attachment to a conventional drinking straw.

Where the device comprises components (A) and (B), there is further provided a tubular section extending between said withdrawal prevention means and said over-insertion prevention means.

The withdrawal prevention means (A) preferably comprises one or more prongs adapted to lie flat against the tubular section during insertion of the device into a drinks package aperture, but to extend outwardly once said insertion has occurred, thereby preventing removal of the device from said aperture.

Most preferably, the withdrawal prevention means comprises two or more prongs. In a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, the prongs are formed from flexible plastics material, and arranged to be

bent or folded against the tubular section only in the direction in which the device is to be inserted into an aperture. The prongs may also desirably be formed with a curved profile.

The over-insertion prevention means (B) may simply be a generally annular flange having a diameter greater than the diameter of an aperture in which the device is to be retained.

Preferably however, the over-insertion prevention means comprises a stopper having a diameter greater than the diameter of an aperture in which the device is to be retained, said stopper having a tubular channel extending therethrough in communication with the tubular section of the device. In order to permit pivotal movement of the device within a drinks package when in use, the stopper is preferably formed with a curved base.

It is preferred that the device of the present invention should prevent complete insertion of a drinking straw through an aperture and complete withdrawal of the straw from the aperture. Nevertheless, it is desirable that limited longitudinal movement of the straw in the aperture is permitted, so as to allow the user to manipulate the straw to gain access to the entire interior of the drinks package. It is therefore much preferred that the separation between the withdrawal prevention means and the over-insertion prevention means is sufficient so as in use to permit limited longitudinal movement of the device within a drinks package aperture.

The airflow maintaining means (C) may preferably comprise an air gap, provided between the tubular section of the device according to the present invention, and the sides of an aperture in which the device is to be located. In practice, this may be achieved by ensuring that part of the withdrawal prevention means-which passes through the aperture prior to

the tubular section-has a diameter larger than that of the tubular section.

Alternatively, the tubular section may be shaped to provide one or more gaps between the tubular section and the sides of the aperture, for example by the provision of shallow grooves on the exterior surface of the tubular section or by constructing the tubular section with a shaped profile. The one or more gaps between the tubular section and the sides of the aperture maintain an air flow between the inside of the carton and the ambient. This prevents the build-up of pressure inside the carton, which in turn prevents the liquid rising up through the straw.

In a further variation, the tubular section may be constructed with airflow cavities formed therewithin.

The re-sealing means (D) are preferably located at the top of the tubular section, adjacent the underside of the stopper (where present). Most preferably, the re-sealing means comprise a pair of flexibly resilient wings extending outwardly from the tubular section and in communication with a pair of inwardly directed jaws.

The re-sealing means are activated by pushing the straw and device into the carton until the stopper bears against the top of the carton. The flexibly resilient wings will thus be located in the aperture, bearing against the sides thereof. This causes the inwardly-directed jaws to move together so as to squeeze the straw, thus preventing the flow of liquid.

The jaws and wings are preferably shaped so as also substantially to seal the aperture, when the jaws are in their closed position.

The thus-formed seal is released by pulling the straw and device partially out of the carton, until the wings are free of the aperture. The wings

then spring back to their initial state, causing the jaws to move apart and allowing the flow of liquid through the straw.

As mentioned above, the device according to the present invention may be formed either as an integral part of a modified drinking straw or as an accessory for attachment to a conventional drinking straw.

When provided as an accessory for attachment to a conventional drinking straw, it is preferred that the tubular section of the device according to the present invention be adapted to receive a conventional drinking straw therewithin. This may be achieved simply by inserting the conventional drinking straw through the tubular section.

Preferably however, the tubular section, and indeed the entire device, is divided longitudinally into two halves, adapted to engage with one another by folding around a conventional drinking straw. The two halves may simply be joined along a fold line, or alternatively may be joined only by means of a connector comprised of flexible plastics material.

The two halves are preferably further provided with fastening means to effect engagement of said halves. The fastening means may be in the form of a clip provided externally on the tubular section. Preferably however, the fastening means comprises studs provided internally of the respective halves of the tubular section, and adapted to grip the external surface of a conventional drinking straw. It is important of course that the studs do not grip the conventional drinking straw to the extent that the flow of liquid therethrough is impeded.

When the device according to the present invention is provided as an integral part of a modified drinking straw, a region of the straw itself may form the tubular section of the device. A modified drinking straw according

to a further aspect of the present invention may therefore be produced by attaching withdrawal prevention means and over-insertion prevention means, preferably also including re-sealing means, as hereinbefore described, at selected locations on a conventional drinking straw.

The present invention therefore also provides a drinking straw having at least one of the following components: - (A) withdrawal prevention means adapted to permit insertion of part of said straw through an aperture of a drinks package, but to prevent withdrawal thereof back through said aperture; - (B) over-insertion prevention means adapted to prevent said device being inserted fully through said aperture; - (C) means for maintaining airflow between the interior of said drinks package and the ambient; and - (D) means for temporarily re-sealing said aperture.

Preferably, the straw comprises at least two of components (A), (B), (C) and (D). More preferably, the straw comprises at least three of said components. Most preferably, the straw comprises all four said components.

Where said withdrawal prevention means (A) and said over-insertion prevention means (B) are present, said components are spaced apart longitudinally on the straw so as to define therebetween a selected region of the straw which in use will be maintained in an aperture of a drinks package.

In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood, preferred embodiments thereof will now be described, though only by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, formed, as an integral part of a modified drinking straw;

Figure 2 shows a device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, formed as an accessory for attachment to a conventional drinking straw; Figures 3 to 8 are an illustrative sequence showing a drinking straw equipped with a device according to the present invention being partially inserted into and subsequently retained in an aperture of a drinks package; Figure 9 shows a modified device according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 10 shows a lateral cross-section of the modified device of Figure 9.

Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown a device, generally indicated 10, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, formed as an integral part of a modified drinking straw 11. The device 10 is provided with two prongs 12 carried on a generally conical collar 13, and a stopper 14 provided thereabove. Each of the collar 13 and the stopper 14 is provided with a channel 15,16 respectively, to permit the main part of the straw 11 to extend therethrough. The stopper 14 is also formed with a rounded base 17.

The collar 13 and the stopper 14 define the lower and upper limits, respectively, of a selected region 18 of the drinking straw 11, which in use will be retained in an aperture of a drinks package, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 3 to 8.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a device, generally indicated 20, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, formed as an accessory for attachment to a conventional drinking straw (not shown).

The device 20 comprises first and second halves 21,22 of a longitudinally- divided tubular section 23. When the device 20 is in use, the first and

second halves 21,22 are intended to wrap around a conventional drinking straw (not shown) to form a tubular section 23 encasing a selected region of the straw.

The device 20 is provided with two prongs 12 carried on a collar 13, and a stopper 14 provided thereabove, each of which is essentially the same as described above with reference to the first embodiment shown in Figure 1. The device 20 shown in Figure 2, is provided with the prongs 12 and collar 13 on the first half 21 only, but with respective first and second halves 24,25 of the stopper 14 provided on each of the first and second halves 21, 22 of the device 20. It will be appreciated however, that each of the collar 13 and the stopper 14 may, independently of one another, be constructed either as two engaging halves, or alternatively be provided on only one half 21 or 22 of the device 20.

The respective halves 21,22 of the device are tied together, when not connected around a straw, by means of a flexible connector 26, shown in Figure 2 as linking the respective halves 24,25 of the stopper 14, though it may alternatively directly link any parts of the halves 21,22 of the tubular section 23. The flexible connector 26 is designed to bend to allow the halves 21,22 to engage with one another when wrapping around a straw. The interior surfaces 27 of the halves 21,22 are provided with studs 28 adapted to grip the exterior surface of a conventional drinking straw so as to secure the device 20 thereto, yet still to permit the flow of liquid through the straw.

The use of a device according to the present invention for retaining a selected region of a drinking straw in an aperture of a drinks package will now be described with reference to Figures 3 to 8. The following passage refers to a device 10 according to the first embodiment described above with

reference to Figure 1, however it will be appreciated that this passage applies equally to a device 20 according to the second embodiment described above with reference to Figure 2, when attached to a conventional drinking straw.

Referring first to Figure 3, there is shown a modified drinking straw 11 incorporating a device 10 according to the present invention. The straw is initially located externally of a package 30 containing a drink 31, which package 30 has formed therein an aperture 32 provided with a foil seal 33.

The straw 11 is inserted into the drinks package 30 by urging the tip 34 of the straw 11 against the foil seal 33 which is easily pierced.

The straw 11 is then permitted freely to move further into the drinks package 30 until the prongs 12 abut against the package 30, as shown in Figure 4. At this point, the application of a small amount of force to the device 10 in a downward direction causes the prongs 12 to bend or fold flat against the straw 11, thus permitting further entry of the straw 11 through the aperture 32 into the drinks package 30, as shown in Figure 5. The passage of the prongs 12 through the aperture 32 removes substantially all of the foil seal 33.

Once the prongs 12 have passed through the aperture 32, they then spring back to their initial position, as shown in Figure 6. The device 10 is now fully deployed in retaining a selected region 18 of the straw in the aperture 32, with the tip 34 of the straw 11 located in the drink 31. The removal of the foil seal 33 as the prongs 12 passed through the aperture 32 ensures that a gap exists between the selected region 18 and the sides of the aperture 32, thus avoiding pressure build-up within the package 30 which

might otherwise cause the drink 31 to rise up the straw 11 upon the application of pressure to the sides of the package 30.

Limited longitudinal movement of the selected region 18 of the straw 11 within the aperture 32 is permitted, as will now be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. As shown in Figure 7, the straw 11 may be pushed further into the package 30 to enable the tip 34 of the straw 11 to reach parts of the drink 31 located at the bottom of the package 30.

Complete insertion of the straw 11 into the package 30 is however prevented by the stopper 14 abutting against the package 30. The stopper 14 has a diameter greater than that of the aperture 32, and therefore cannot pass therethrough. The rounded base 17 of the stopper 14 enables pivotal movement of the stopper 14 in the aperture 32, which in turn enables the tip 34 of the straw 11 to reach substantially all areas within the package 30.

As shown in Figure 8, complete withdrawal of the straw 11 from the aperture 32 is prevented by the prongs 12 abutting against an internal surface of the package 30 at the sides of the aperture 32. The prongs 12 are permitted to bend or fold in one direction only, as described above with reference to Figure 5, and their passage upwards through the aperture 32 is therefore not possible. The device 10 thus maintains the selected region 18 of the drinking straw 11 in the aperture 32 of the drinks package 30.

Referring now to Figure 9, there is shown a modified device, generally indicated 50, according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

The modified device 50 may be formed either as an integral part of a modified drinking straw 11, or as an accessory for attachment to a conventional drinking straw. The modified device 50 is similar in many respects to the first and second embodiments 10,20 described above with

reference to Figures 1 and 2, and where appropriate, like components have been assigned like reference numerals.

The modified device 50 is additionally provided with re-seaiing means, in the form of a pair of flexibly resilient wings 52, located at the top of the tubular section 23, adjacent the underside of the stopper 14. Each wing 52 communicates with one member of a pair of inwardly-directed jaws 53 which protrude into the interior of the tubular section 23 to bear against the straw 11.

The jaws 53 are normally spaced apart so as to allow the flow of liquid through the straw 11. However, when the device 50 is pushed fully into the aperture 32, as shown in Figure 9, the wings 52 bear against the sides thereof, and the resultant flexing causes the jaws 53 to move towards one another. The straw 11 is thus squeezed tightly, preventing the flow of liquid, and effectively temporarily re-sealing the drinks package 30. The thus- formed seal may be released by pulling the device 50 partially out of the package 30 until the wings 52 are free of the aperture 32. The wings 52 then spring back to their original unflexed state, causing the jaws 53 to move apart, thus allowing the flow of liquid through the straw 11.

In addition to the above described re-sealing means, the modified device 50 also includes additional means enabling the flow of air between the inside of the drinks package 30 and the ambient. This is achieved by constructing the tubular section 23 with a generally elliptical profile, as can best be seen from Figure 10. The tubular section 23 is secured to the straw 11 at two diametrically opposed points 54, where the ellipse is at its narrowest. Where the ellipse is at its broadest, the distance between the

opposed ends 55 is preferably substantially equal to the diameter of the aperture 32 in the drinks package 30.

A pair of generally crescent-shaped cavities 56 are thus defined between the straw 11 and the tubular section 23. Air-flow into these cavities 56 is enabled by the provision of a series of holes 57 in the tubular section 23 adjacent the opposed ends 55 of the elliptical profile.

The cavities 56 communicate with the ambient either by means of further like holes 57 provided in the upper part of the tubular section 23 adjacent the stopper 14, or by simply forming the tubular section 23 with an open upper end. It will be appreciated, however, that when the device 50 is pushed fully into the drinks package 30, as shown in Figure 9, the upper end of the tubular section 23 is located inside the package 30, so that the seal formed by the jaws 53 is not compromised by the flow of air from inside the package 30 to the ambient.