Field

This invention relates to drinking straws, particularly but not exclusively to drinking straws that can be carried on the person without needing to be held in the hand or stored in a pocket, handbag or the like; and more particularly to a wearable drinking straw.

Background

It has previously been reported that US residents use 1 .6 plastic drinking straws per person per day (some 500 million straws a day), which when laid end to end would encircle the globe some 25 times every day. These straws are typically of plastics material that cannot be recycled and does not biodegrade. As such straws are typically light in weight, they can readily be blown into waterways and make their way from there to the oceans where they present a significant danger to the wellbeing of wildlife.

One previously proposed solution is the so-called "FinalStraw"™ product (see www.finalstraw.com ^' )· This product comprises a housing that is configured for attachment to a keyring, and a reusable expandable straw that can be collapsed and stored in the housing.

Whilst this product provides an elegant means for mitigating the ecological damage associated with single-use plastic straws, it remains the case that the housing must either be carried by the user or stored in the user's pocket or a bag (such as a handbag, for example). If a user is wearing clothes that are without pockets, such as a wetsuit or swimming costume for example, storage of the product can be problematic and the user may have no option but to carry the product in their hand. In such circumstances the user then has only one free hand to accomplish any other task. Such problems can be addressed by placing the product in a bag, such as a handbag or the like, but users may not always wish to carry such a bag.

The present invention has been devised with the foregoing in mind.

Summary

In accordance with a first presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a drinking straw for wearing by a user, the drinking straw comprising: a flexible tubular body that can be manipulated by a user between a drinking configuration where the tubular body is generally straight and forms a straw through which liquid can be sucked, and a curved configuration in which the tubular body may be worn around the wrist or leg of a user. This arrangement is advantageous, as compared with the aforementioned "FinalStraw" product for example, in that when the straw is in the curved configuration and worn by a user, the user has both hands free and need not carry a bag or the like for storage of the straw when it is not being used. The drinking straw may comprise a coupling mechanism for coupling a first region proximate a first end of the tubular body to a second region proximate a second end of the tubular body when the straw is worn around the leg or wrist of the user. For example, the first end may be configured as a plug, and the second end may include a socket for receiving said plug.

In a preferred implementation, the drinking straw further comprises a flexible tubular cover having an opening at at least one end to define an internal chamber, the cover being configured so that the tubular body may be slid through the opening for storage in said internal chamber. The cover provides a means for improving hygiene by acting as a barrier to contaminants whilst the drinking straw is being worn by the user. The cover preferably covers most, and more preferably substantially all, of the straw when the straw is located in said chamber. In a preferred implementation the cover is open at both ends so that a user can slide the tubular body out of the cover from either end thereof.

At least an internal surface of said cover may be provided with a biocide configured to mitigate the action of bacteria carried by an external surface of the tubular body. This arrangement further enhances hygiene. At least an internal surface of the cover may be provided with a lubricious coating to ease insertion and removal of said tubular body.

In one envisaged implementation at least a portion of the cover is internally narrowed to form a wiper that is configured to wipe over an external surface of the tubular body to wipe liquid from said tubular body as the body is inserted into said internal chamber. For example, a region of the cover at or adjacent the at least one opening may be so narrowed.

In another envisaged implementation, the cover may be carried by a support (preferably the support has a length, and the cover is coupled to the support along the length of the support), the support comprising a body of bistable spring material reconfigurable between a retracted state in which the body is curved and an expanded state in which the body is substantially straight. In this embodiment the support is akin to a so-called "slap band", "slap bracelet" or "slap wrap" that can readily be reconfigured between the aforementioned expanded and retracted states simply by slapping the expanded support against one's leg or wrist, whereupon the support switches to a retracted state and wraps itself around the leg or wrist of the user against which it has been slapped. The cover may be coupled directly to the support, or in another envisaged implementation the support may include a support cover within which said body of bistable spring material is provided, said tubular body cover being attached to said support cover. A further cover may also be provided, the cover being configured to cover substantially all of the support, tubular body cover, and any tubular body housed within the internal chamber of the tubular body cover. In an envisaged arrangement, the further cover may be rolled onto and off of the support and the tubular body cover that is coupled to said support.

In an envisaged implementation one or more of the tubular body, the tubular body cover, the support cover and the further cover may be of silicone rubber.

In a second presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the tubular body may be of a flexible gooseneck construction. The gooseneck tubular body may include a lining on an internal or external surface of the body. Advantageously, by providing a tubular body that is of a gooseneck construction, the tubular body can be wrapped around the wrist or leg of a user and will remain so wrapped without having to connect the ends of the tubular body or couple the tubular body to a slap band. The tubular body may be provided with a cover, for example a cover of the type described above.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Various aspects of the teachings of the present invention, and arrangements embodying those teachings, will hereafter be described by way of illustrative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a tubular body;

Fig. 2a is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a tubular body cover;

Fig. 2b is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another tubular body cover;

Fig. 3a is a schematic perspective view of a cover coupled to a slap band in an expanded state, and Fig. 3b is an end elevation of the arrangement depicted in Fig. 3a;

Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a cover coupled to a support in a retracted state;

Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the arrangement depicted in Fig. 4, covered in a further cover in an expanded state;

Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the arrangement depicted in Fig. 5 in a retracted state; and

Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a tubular body that is of a gooseneck construction;

Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an arrangement similar to that of Figs. 1 , 2a and 2b; and

Figs. 9 and 10 shown another tubular body.

Detailed Description

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a tubular body 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The tubular body may be of silicone or other similar flexible material, and may be impregnated with a biocide to reduce the likelihood of bacteria causing harm to the user. At least the outer surface of the tubular body may also or alternatively impregnated with a lubricious compound so that it can more easily be slid into a cover.

In an envisaged implementation the tubular body may include one or more internal wires that enable the tubular body to be manipulated from the configuration depicted, where it is generally straight for use as a drinking straw, to a configuration where it is wrapped around the wrist or ankle of a user for hands-free portage.

In another envisaged implementation, a two-part coupling mechanism (not shown in the drawings) may be provided (for example, a hollow plug at one end and a hollow socket at the other) so that the plug may be fitted to the socket to secure the tubular member around the wrist or ankle of the user.

Fig. 2a is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a tubular body cover 3. In this embodiment the cover 3 is open at a single end 5 and defines an internal chamber 7 into which the tubular member may be slid via the aforementioned opening 5. The cover may also include a biocide and/or a lubricious coating (for example on an internal surface), instead of or in addition to the biocide and/or lubricious coating on the tubular body.

In this particular arrangement the cover is of reduced diameter 9 in the vicinity of the opening 5 so that the external surface of the tubular body is wiped of fluid as the tubular body is slid into the internal chamber 7. Preferably substantially all of the tubular body locates within the chamber when the tubular body is slid into the cover, save perhaps for a short section that a user can grasp to remove the tubular body from the cover.

Fig. 2b is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another tubular body cover. In this arrangement the cover 3 includes an opening 1 1 , 13 at both ends, so that the tubular body can be slid into and out of the cover from either end. In this particular arrangement the cover is of reduced diameter 15, 17 in the vicinity of both openings 1 1 , 13 so that the external surface of the tubular body is wiped of fluid regardless of from which end the tubular body is slid into the internal chamber 7. Preferably substantially all of the tubular body locates within the chamber when the tubular body is slid into the cover, save perhaps for a short section that a user can grasp to remove the tubular body from the cover.

Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tubular body 1 housed within a cover 3 that is open only at one end (as in Fig. 2a), the cover being coloured turquoise. A first magnet 14 (coloured yellow) is coupled to a first end of the cover and a second magnet 16 is coupled to the second end of the magnet, the magnets being arranged so that when the cover (optionally with the tubular body 1 inside) is bent around a user's wrist or leg, the magnets may be brought together to fasten the cover in place.

In the preferred arrangement, at least the first magnet 14 is annular, so that the tubular body can pass through the magnet, the opening 5 and into the cover 3. In another envisaged implementation, both the first and second ends may be open. In an envisaged implementation the exterior of the cover proximate the opening (in this instance the first end) is provided with a series of ribs 18 so that the cover can be gripped and moved relative to a tubular body provided therewithin to expose the tubular body 1 from the cover 3 through the opening 5.

Referring now to Figs. 9 and 10, in a contemplated implementation of the teachings of the invention, the tubular body 1 may comprise a generally rectangular panel 2 that can be rolled up in a widthwise direction (as shown) to form the tubular body. Preferably the tubular body 2 includes a fastening mechanism along its length (either continuous or spaced) to releasably couple opposite peripheral regions of the panel together along its length. The fastening mechanism could comprise one or more magnets in respective peripheral regions that can be coupled together to secure the panel in a tubular configuration. A chief advantage of this arrangement is that the tubular body can be unrolled for cleaning.

Fig. 3a is a schematic perspective view of a cover 3 coupled to a support 19 in an expanded state, and Fig. 3b is an end elevation of the arrangement depicted in Fig. 3a. The support 19 comprises a generally trough-like support of flexible bistable spring material and has an arcuate, generally C-shaped, cross-section. In a preferred implementation of the teachings of the invention, the support may comprise an extendible sheet member of the type described in United States Patent No. 6,256,938 (the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference). Such a sheet member is configurable between a first retracted state (later described with reference to Fig. 4) and an extended state (as depicted in Figs. 3a and 3b). The sheet member is stable in each state and can be switched between states by applying a force to the sheet member.

The aforementioned US patent provides exhaustive and detailed instructions to persons skilled in the art concerning how such sheet members may be manufactured, and as a consequence those instructions will not be regurgitated herein. It suffices to mention that a reader of this specification looking to manufacture a support of the type depicted in Figs. 3a and 3b need only look to the aforementioned US patent for detailed instructions on how the support main body may be manufactured. Alternatively, a length of material from which a support can be formed may be purchased from Rolatube Technology Limited, 130 Wellworthy Road, Ampress Park, Lymington, S041 8JY, United Kingdom.

As is conventional with so-called "slap bands" the length of bistable spring material is encapsulated within a cover, for example a cover of silicone rubber or similar resiliently flexible material. The cover for the tubular body is coupled to the support, preferably along the entire length of the support, and more preferably to a face of the support that forms an internal surface when the support is in the retracted state as depicted schematically in Fig. 4. The cover 3 for the tubular body may be open at both ends, as depicted, or only one end. The cover 3 for the tubular body may include any or all of the features described above with reference to Figs. 2a and 2b of the drawings.

Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the arrangement depicted in Fig. 4, covered in a further cover 21 in an expanded state, and Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the arrangement depicted in Fig. 5 in a retracted state. The further cover 21 defines an internal chamber within which the drinking straw and cover depicted in any of Figs. 1 to 3 may be stored. The further cover 21 is preferably closed at one end, and can be opened at the other 23. In an envisaged arrangement the further cover 21 terminates in a flat region 25 that can be squeezed to open the cover and enable access to the straw and/or support provided therein. The further cover 21 may be of silicone and may have any of the features described above in relation to the cover of Figs. 2a and 2b. As will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art, the provision of a further cover enhances hygiene, especially when the drinking straw is being worn by a user.

Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of another tubular body 27 for use with a cover 3 of the type depicted in Fig. 2a or 2b. The tubular body 27 depicted in Fig. 7 is of a gooseneck construction. That is to say, as is well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art, the tubular body 27 comprises a spring (for example of high-strength stainless steel) into the gaps of which a softer wire coil (for example, iron) is compressed. The gooseneck construction allows the user to manipulate the tubing into a desired shape (for example, to wrap the tubing around their wrist or ankle) whereupon the tubing will stay in that configuration until the user changes the shape of the tubing. In an envisaged implementation, the gooseneck tubing is coated (for example, shrink wrapped) within an outer plastics coating. Alternatively, the internal surface of the tubing could be coated. The coating could be impregnated with a biocide and/or a lubricious coating to aid insertion of the tubing into the cover 3. A further cover (for example of the type shown in Figs. 5 and 6) may be provided so that there is a reduced chance of the covered tubing coming into contact with dirt whilst being worn.

It will be appreciated that whilst various aspects and embodiments of the present invention have heretofore been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular arrangements set out herein and instead extends to encompass all arrangements, and modifications and alterations thereto, which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

For example, whilst it is preferred for the support to be of the type of material provided by Rolatube (and described in the abovementioned US patent), it will be appreciated that the teachings of the present invention may be implemented with other types of material. For example, one could readily envisage replacing material of the type available from Rolatube with a flexible bistable spring band of the type commonly employed in so-called “slap bracelets”. As a consequence, the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited solely to material provided by Rolatube.

It is also envisaged that the tubular body need not have a circular cross-section, as depicted in the drawings, but could be of any shape. The tubular body could, for example, have an oval or elliptical cross-section, and such an arrangement would be particularly useful in the context of the slap-band support as an oval or elliptical tubular body would provide a reduction in the distance between the support and the user when the support is wrapped around the user's arm or ankle.

It should also be noted that whilst particular combinations of features have been described herein, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular combinations explicitly described, but instead extends to encompass any combination of features herein disclosed.

Finally, it should be noted that any element in a claim that does not explicitly state "means for" performing a specified function, or "steps for" performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a "means" or "step" clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Sec. 1 12, par. 6. In particular, the use of "step of" in the claims appended hereto is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. Sec. 1 12, par. 6.