BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to straws and, more specifically, to straws intended for use with a drink box. The prior art makes use of a straw having a pointed end to pierce a seal located on the box top and a corrugated upper middle portion that permits the straw to be stored on the outside of the box in a J-shape. The inside cross- section diameter and area of the corrugated section can be slightly larger or slightly smaller in places than that of the non-corrugated sections of the straw located above and below that section but the area created by that section is such that it cannot prevent flow through the straw. The corrugated section can also not provide shape memory such that the straw can return unassisted between a deployed and an at-rest orientation or position.

Whether in the corrugated or non-corrugated section of the straw, the interior or minimum cross section or diameter of the straw— as taken in a plane perpendicular to the straw's central longitudinal axis— is the same (or essentially the same) along the entire length of the straw. That cross section is designed to allow liquid to flow from one end of the straw to the other, even when a user is not drawing on the straw, and there is no area of narrow or reduced cross section relative to it which is designed to prevent or reduce the flow of liquid through the straw. Any difference in the inside diameter between the corrugated and non-corrugated sections is slight, insignificant relative to flow, and an artifact of the process used to corrugate the straw. Additionally, no cross section provides shape memory or mechanical properties that can move the straw unassisted between two different orientations or positions. When a user straightens the corrugated upper middle portion to a desired orientation for drinking purposes, the straw remains in that orientation (e.g., straight vertical, slightly off vertical, between straight vertical and 45 degrees) and the defined cross section of the straw remains unchanged along its entire length. And when the user releases the straw, the defined cross-section of the straw remains unchanged.

After the user removes the straw from its packaging and straightens (or nearly straightens it) and inserts the straw into the drink box, if the box is squeezed by the user, the liquid contents of the box travels up the straw and can exit the upper end of the straw. Even if the straw is left in a bent or un-straightened state, squeezing the box causes liquid to exit the upper end of the straw. Because drink boxes tend to be used by younger children, parents oftentimes deal with liquid "shooting out" of their child's drink box through the straw.

A need exists for a straw that prevents and resists this type of user-induced leak.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A straw made according to this invention is intended for use in a drink box to prevent the box's liquid content from exiting the upper end of the straw when the box is squeezed. The straw includes a narrow cross section area, preferably located in the upper half of the straw, along with shape memory provided by the narrow cross section. The cross section moves between two different sized openings as the straw moves between an at-rest position and a deployed or partially deployed position. In the at-rest position, the opening is smaller than in the deployed position and may be completely closed.

"Narrow" means a reduced cross section diameter or area taken in a plane perpendicular to the straw's central longitudinal axis and relative to the cross-section diameter or area of the upper and lower portions of the straw (including any corrugated portion if applicable), again taken in a plane perpendicular to the straw's central longitudinal axis. This narrow cross section, relative to any other portion of the straw, defines the minimum inside diameter of the straw and is preferably non- circular in shape.

Preferably, the narrow or reduced cross section is created by at least one opposing pair of divots or indentations of the straw' s wall. The cross section can also be created by a single crease or fold alone or in combination with the divots or indentations or by two spaced- apart creases or folds. The folds preferably spans the straw's width. Ideally, the section is formed with a radius rather than a fold because folding, particularly without the indentations, tends to be done when the straw is still warm and, therefore, can cause the cross section to remain closed as it moves into a deployed position. The indentations reduce or eliminate this problem and roll forming further reduces it.

Regardless of how the section is formed, the shape memory must be such that it permits the narrow cross section to either always remain open or return to open from closed so that flow can occur through the cross section.

When a user moves the straw from an at-rest position into a deployed or partially deployed position by straightening or nearly straightening the straw, the narrow cross section enlarges somewhat and permits the user to draw liquid past it and up the straw. When the user releases the straw, the shape memory permits the portion of the straw located above the narrow cross section to about a 90° angle relative to the portion of the straw located below the narrow cross section. In this at rest state, if the user squeezes the box, the box's liquid content is prevented from exiting the upper end of the straw by the cross section's reduced opening. Or, if any liquid does exit, the volume of liquid which does is less than that which can flow through when the straw is in the deployed or partially deployed position.

The objectives of this invention include providing a straw that (1) is not constant in diameter along the non-corrugated portions of the straw yet allows liquid to be drawn through the straw with no noticeable difference to the user relative to the prior art straw; (2) can be used with existing drink box designs and stowed on the box in the same or similar manner as the prior art straw; (3) prevents or resists user- induced leaks when the user squeezes the box but does not intend to draw liquid through the straw; and (4) has reduced shape memory such that if the reduced cross section is formed in part by folding or rolling, the section does not remain closed when moved into a deployed or partially deployed state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a straw made according to this invention in its fully deployed and straightened state. The side indentations or divots help reduce shape memory such that the narrow cross section responds to changes in the straw's orientation rather than remain in the at-rest opening size.

FIG. 2 is a cross section view taken along section line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross section view taken along section line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the straw of FIG. 1 shown in its fully folded and stowed state.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the straw of FIG. 1 as a user might move it between a stowed state and a deployed (or partially deployed) state or an at-rest state and deployed state. When the user releases the straw from its packaging or from a deployed state, the shape memory created by the narrow cross section causes the straw to return to the at rest state, about halfway between the fully straightened state and the fully bent stowed state. The straw' s orientation in the at-rest state should be such that the opening created by the narrow cross section prevents or resists the flow of liquid through the straw when the box is squeezed and the user is not drawing liquid up the straw.

FIG. 6 is side elevation view of an alternate preferred embodiment of a straw made according to this invention. The straw includes a two spaced-apart creases or folds. Side indentations or divots, like that shown in FIG. 1, can be included in combination with the fold.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the straw of FIG. 6 as a user might move it to a deployed state. When the user releases the straw, the shape memory created by the narrow cross section causes the straw to return unassisted to an at rest state, about halfway between the fully straightened state and the fully bent stowed state (see e.g. FIG. 5).

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the straw of FIG. 6 in its stowed state.

When the straw is released from its packaging, it returns unassisted to the at-rest state.

FIG. 9 is another preferred embodiment of the straw. Rather than relying upon folds or creases, the narrow cross section includes a radius. The radius, along with the side indentations, helps reduce shape memory such that the narrow cross section responds to changes in the straw's orientation rather than remain in the at-rest opening size.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the straw of FIG. 9 as it moves between the stowed, at-rest, and deployed positions.

FIG. 11 is a cross section view taken along section line 11-11 of FIG. 10. When the straw is in the at-rest position, the narrow cross section provides an opening that is smaller than that when in the deployed position (compare e.g., FIG. 3) and can, if desired, be closed

Elements Used in the Drawings and Detailed Description 10 Straw (folded or rolled)

11 Lowermost end (preferably angled)

13 Lower half

14 Lower non-corrugated length (relative to 40), having greater cross-section than 40

15 First position (at-rest state)

17 Outside diameter of 10

19 Inside diameter or cross section of 14, 24 (larger relative to 40)

21 Uppermost end

23 Upper half

24 Upper non-corrugated length (relative to 40), having greater cross-section than 40

25 Second position (deployed or partially deployed state)

27 Central longitudinal axis of 10

35 Transition area between 14 and 40 or 40 and 24

37 Major diameter of 10 (minimum interior diameter of 14, 24)

40 Narrow or reduced cross section

41 Minor dimension of 40

43 Major dimension of 40

45 Larger opening (relative to 55) provided by 40 when straw 10 is deployed by user

47 Side divot or indentation

49 Fold or crease

51 Wall

53 Radius

55 Smaller opening (relative to 45) provided by 40 when straw 10 is in an at-rest position

65 Third position (stored or stowed state)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A straw 10 made according to this invention is intended for use in a drink box to prevent or resist the box's liquid content from exiting the upper end of the straw when the box is squeezed and the user is not drawing on the straw. Like the prior art straw, the straw 10 can have a lowermost end 11 that is pointed or angled for piercing the box seal (see e.g. FIG. 1). The straw 10 can also have a portion that may be corrugated or a telescoping portion (not shown). The wall 51 of straw 10 preferably has a constant wall thickness at least in the non-corrugated portions 14, 24 as defined by the outside and inside diameters 17, 19 of the straw 10.

Unlike the prior art straw, it does not have a constant minimum inside cross section diameter or area 19— taken in a plane perpendicular to the straw's central longitudinal axis 27— along the entire non-corrugated lengths of the straw 10 (see e.g. FIGS. 1, 5 & 7). Rather, the straw 10 includes a non-corrugated portion having a narrow or reduced cross section 40 relative to other non-corrugated portions 14, 24 of the straw. The section 40 is preferably located in an upper half 23 or upper third 33 of the straw 10, that provides shape memory and prevents or resists user-induced leaks through the straw 10.

The area of reduced cross section 40 is located between two non-corrugated portions 14, 24 which have a larger cross-section than that of section 40. The portions 14, 24 are arranged to move relative to one another between a first (at-rest) and a second (deployed) position 15, 25. The internal angular orientation "a" between the two non-corrugated portions 14, 24 is larger in the second position 25 than in the first position 15 (see e.g. FIG. 5). Additionally, the opening 45 provided by the section 40 is larger in the second position 25 than in the opening 55 provided by the section 40 when in the first position 15 (see e.g. FIG. 11), and can be completely closed when in the first position 15. Regardless of position 15, 25, the cross section 19 provided by the portions 14, 24 remains unchanged. A transition area 35, which has a non- constant cross section, lies between section 40 and portions 14, 24.

When the user releases the straw 10, the shape memory provided by section 40 permits the upper non-corrugated portion 24 located above the reduced cross section 40 to return unassisted to about an internal angle a of about 90° angle relative to the lower non-corrugated portion 14 (see e.g. FIGS. 5 & 10). In this at-rest position 15, if the user squeezes the box, the box's liquid content experiences resistance and is prevented from exiting the uppermost end 21 of the straw 10. If any liquid does exit the end 21, the volume of liquid is significantly less than that when the box is squeezed and the straw 10 is in the deployed position 25.

The shape memory is such that if the reduced cross section 40 is closed in the first (at-rest) position 15, the section 40 can return unassisted to open when in the second (deployed) position 25. The shape memory is also such that the straw 10 does not return to the third or stowed position 65 when released from its packaging or the deployed position 25. When in the first and second positions 15, 25 the interior angular orientation a of the two identical non-corrugated portions 14, 24 is at least 90°.

In the stowed (or third) position 65, the straw 10 is folded over on itself (see FIGS. 4, 8 & 9), with the lower non-corrugated lengths or portions 14, 24— which are located above and below the reduced cross section 40— essentially running adjacent to or parallel with one another. In the stowed position 65, the internal angular orientation a between the two identical non-corrugated portions 14, 24 is smaller than that of the first (at-rest) position 31. Preferably, when in the stowed position 65 the internal angular orientation a is less than 90°. When a user removes the straw 10 from its packaging, the straw 10 can move unassisted into the first (at-rest) position, When the user straightens or nearly straightens the straw 10 toward vertical, the opening 45 of the reduced cross section 40 enlarges somewhat and permits the user to draw liquid past the cross section 40 and the straw's uppermost end 21.

Reduced cross section 40 is preferably formed by a pair of opposing divots or indentations 47 in the straw wall 51 (see FIGS. 1-5) along with a radius 53 (see FIGS. 9-11). The indentations 47 create a cross section 40 that is smaller in area than that of the cross section 19 of the portions 14, 24 (see FIGS. 1-3) and which mechanically forms an opening 55 when the straw is moved to the second position 25 (see e.g. FIG. 11). The indentations 47, which run generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis 27 of the straw 10, create a shape for section 40 that is different than that of the circular cross sections of portions 14, 24.

In a preferred embodiment, the indentations 47 form a concave surface in the straw wall 51 and create a non-circular cross section 40 (see FIGS. 2 & 3). In another preferred embodiment, the indentations 47 along with the fold 49 or radius 53 create an hour-glass shaped section 40 (see e.g. FIGS. 2 & 3). Regardless of the shape of section 40, the total cross sectional area of its opening 45, 55 when in the first or second position 15, 25 respectively is no greater than half of a total cross sectional area represented by one of the two identical non-corrugated portions 14. 24.

Cross section 40 may also include at least one crease or fold 49 (see e.g. FIGS. 1) with or without indentations 47 (see FIGS. 6-8). The fold 49 can span the distance 17. The fold 49, like the indentations 47, can be thermal set or the straw 10 can be ballooned out to do the fold 49. Additionally, the straw 10 can be made of a material of a kind known in the art which is well adapted for folding applications. An additional layer of material (not shown) can be placed on one side of the other in the vicinity of the fold 49 to assist with the shape memory. Regardless of whether the straw 10 has indentations 47 (which are preferred), the straw 10 is such that it has shape memory like that described above.

The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims, including each recited element's full range of equivalents.