Abstract:
The invention relates to a novelty pump straw with combined display area and prize delivery system that can easily be used to pump liquids into the mouth of the user without the use of mouth suction, used to convey information and messages, and deliver prizes and other marketing materials. The invention may include noisemakers, a selection of several different pump devices, various shapes of the pump devices, a stand-alone toy, and several means to convey information and messages on a display area. The exterior features, overall look and size are similar to that of a drinking straw with a pump attached between the two ends of the drinking straw. The invention, besides being used for drinking applications, may also be used for many other activities, some of which include marketing, amusement, and relaxation.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    The invention relates to an improved drinking straw device that uses a pumping action to deliver liquid to the mouth of the user. Additionally, this improved pump drinking straw incorporates a display area with surfaces for messages, including prize delivery, which are integral to the pumping action device.  
           [0002]    The basic drinking straw is a linear and hollow tube designed to transport liquid from a vessel to the mouth of the user by virtue of a vacuum created by the user sucking at the receiving end. Drinking straws that are designed in novel and amusing shapes and colors have long been known. An example of one such novel shape is a hard plastic straw with a series of loops so that the liquid may be observed progressing through the loops as the user drinks the liquid. More complex entertainment devices used in drinking straws include gearing or turbines in contact with the liquid or affiliated with the movement of liquid to turn the gearing or turbine blades. The turbine power, generated by the liquid or air, may serve to display the turning gears, blades and/or move a fanciful object for amusement and entertainment. However, these designs are generally limited to serve as amusement only.  
           [0003]    Additionally, mechanical means to transfer liquid from a vessel, include methods to effectuate the transfer, are well known in the art. Prior attempts include uses in sporting hydration devices, such as a squeezable sports bottle with a resealable cap and tubing so that a bicyclist can aim the liquid in his mouth without the use of hands. Other sports uses incorporate a liquid reservoir, including a canteen, worn by the user with a tube connected to the reservoir, again designed to allow the user to aim the liquid into her mouth for convenience. One such sporting water reservoir device with tubing includes a squeeze bulb to assist in the movement of liquid from the reservoir, as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,729 to Drzymkowski. Yet another prior attempt includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,385 granted to Klegerman et al., which teaches of a multi-walled, replaceable filter, portable water filtering device for use at public drinking fountains or other public water supplies. Rarely is this equipment intended for disposal after a single use nor would it be cost effective to place this equipment next to paper napkins and typical drinking straws for the public in a retail or food service setting.  
           [0004]    In terms of prize delivery, few prior attempts at distributing both advertising and prizes on liquid transfer devices are found. However, one such attempt, as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,279 and granted to Howes, consists of a prize (cash or coupon) or notice of such a prize wound in a generally spiral form about or in a drinking straw, either inserted into the drinking straw itself (to be removed before the straw is used to drink liquid) or printed on the drinking straw and covered by a sliding cylindrical housing. However, because drinking straws are used in extremely wet environments, unwinding and removing a rolled piece of paper may be troublesome if the paper becomes wet and prone to tear or, if the sheet is made of a plastic or waxy material, adhesion and capillary action could prevent removal of the prize or notice. Additionally, insertion of a removable device into a drinking straw or a slideable housing may prove a choking hazard, even with safeguards. This is especially dangerous for young children.  
           [0005]    There is a long-felt need for a drinking straw that may provide entertainment, relaxation, and even amusement with a pumping action. Additionally, there is a need for an improved drinking straw that can effectively, reliably, and safely deliver prizes and/or display messages with a combined display area and prize delivery system. A reasonably priced novelty drinking straw that could provide entertainment as well as deliver prizes, or notice of prizes, is needed for marketing promotions. This is especially evident in fast food chains that are interested in using advertising, game pieces or prizes to increase or shift the market share in their favor or even creating new market opportunities, customer excitement, and profits.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    It is an object of the invention to provide entertainment, relaxation and even amusement to the user of the pump drinking straw.  
           [0007]    Another object of the invention is to provide an effective, reliable and safe drinking straw prize and/or message delivery.  
           [0008]    A further object of the invention is to provide a method to transfer liquid from a drinking vessel to the mouth of the user of the pump drinking straw without the need for mouth suction.  
           [0009]    Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and convenient method to filter liquids contained in drinking vessels or other vessels.  
           [0010]    Yet another object of the invention is to create a desire in the consumer to purchase either the pump drinking straw or a beverage because the consumer desires a pump drinking straw.  
           [0011]    A further object of the invention is to provide a safe way to control flow of beverages by providing a consumption means nearly independent from unexpected and sudden movements, including sudden lunging movements as experienced in vehicle travel, to help to eliminate spills, especially painful and potentially hazardous spills.  
           [0012]    Another object of the invention is the manufacturing ability to be readily changed or adaptable to marketing needs.  
           [0013]    A further object of the invention is to effectively conceal messages of the pump drinking straw until the desired time or occurrence transpires.  
           [0014]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 shows a user drinking from the pump drinking straw with a peel away prize on the pump device.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 shows a squeeze bulb pump embodiment with a corporate logo displayed in the display area of the pump device.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 shows a squeeze bulb pump embodiment with a corporate logo displayed in the display area of the pump device being pumped.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 depicts a display of a squeeze bulb pump embodiment.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 depicts a display of a vertical accordion pump embodiment.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 depicts a display of a horizontal accordion pump embodiment.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 depicts a roller pump embodiment.  
         [0022]    FIGS.  8 - 10  depict slide action roller pump embodiments.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 depicts a squeeze bulb pump with semi-rigid spring-loaded plates embodiment.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 depicts a squirt gun mechanism pump.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 13 depicts a pump in handle embodiment.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 14 depicts a character head pump embodiment.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 15 depicts a stand-alone toy of the character head pump embodiment.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 16 depicts a filter in pump embodiment.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 17 depicts a whistle while you drink embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0030]    The invention is a novelty pump straw with a combined display area and message delivery system  1  comprising an improved drinking straw  2  with a display area  3  and pump  4  whereby the user manually hand-pumps liquid from a cup  5  to the mouth of the user. Enjoying one&#39;s favorite beverage with this novel device can be relaxing, exhilarating and fun.  
         [0031]    As shown in FIG. 1, the invention is a pump drinking straw beverage delivery device. The pump drinking straw  1  comprises an elongate drinking straw  2  with a first portion and corresponding end  6  as well as a second portion and corresponding end  7 . The first end is placed into the mouth of the user and the second end is placed into the liquid. The pump drinking straw also has a pump device to pump the liquid from a cup or vessel  5  to the mouth of the user without the user having to suck the liquid through the drinking straw. Therefore, the liquid is solely transferred by the action of the pump device. The pump device is located between the first end and the second end of the pump drinking straw. The position of the pump device is dependant upon the specific embodiment, as the position may be fixed and an integral part of the drinking straw or may be within a bounded area and dependant upon the location of a mobile pump device.  
         [0032]    Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 3 , the invention may include various features that are designed to convey information. This conveyance of the information can be accomplished in various methods. Some of the methods to convey the information include a display area which is incorporated into the design of the pump device  4 . The display area  3  may contain or have information applied to it in a variety of methods, including printing  8 , embossing, and variation of materials. The pump device itself may be shaped to convey information, or example, the pump can be shaped in the form of a cartoon character or company logo. “Taco Bell” and the “Taco Bell Logo” are registered trademarks of the Taco Bell Corporation.  
         [0033]    The display area  3  is designed to convey messages. The messages may include such things as political slogans, game pieces, coupons, logos, cartoon characters, advertisements, prizes, fortunes, or any other type or category of message or information that may be placed in the display area. Notably, with the increased competition between fast food establishments, the use of games and prizes has increased in order to entertain and reward customers as well as increase business. The pump device of the pump drinking straw may contain a prize message delivery system  8  as a method to distribute prizes, or at least the chance of winning a prize. Preferably, the prize message delivery system would use an opaque device designed to conceal a prize. Some of the various methods to distribute the prize messages on or in the display area include a peel-away flap revealing the message underneath, a scratch-off surface again revealing the message underneath or a heat-sensitive surface designed to reveal a prize message upon subjection to a predetermined temperature range.  
         [0034]    Referring generally now to FIGS.  4 - 17 , the pump device has many different types of pumps as well as sizes, positions, and shapes of a pump. For example, the pump device may be a squeeze bulb pump  11 , an accordion squeeze pump  30 , roller compression pumps  40  and  50 , a squirt gun mechanism pump  70 , a filter pump  100 , and a whistling pump  111 . Additional embodiments of the basic types of pump embodiments may include such features as rigid or semi-rigid spring-loaded plates  60  connected to the pump (preferably a squeeze activated pump) that are designed to aid in pumping action. Another embodiment incorporates or partially encapsulates the pump  80  of the pump drinking straw  1  into a handle  81  of a drinking vessel  82 . The majority of the pump devices in the embodiments contain unidirectional valves  13 ,  14 ,  57 ,  73 ,  102  and are hand pumps that are built into and are an integral part of the drinking straw.  
         [0035]    The previously described versions of the present invention have many advantages, including unique pumping actions as well as message and prize delivery. Thus, the problems that may be associated with previous attempts at drinking straws message delivery are solved.  
         [0036]    Another advantage of the invention is the pump action of a drinking straw that eliminates the user from having to suck liquids through a straw. This may be especially helpful when the user is drinking a thick or viscous beverage, which can be difficult and tiring to drink through a straw.  
         [0037]    Yet another advantage of the invention includes the entertaining and relaxing effect of using the pumping device to drink a beverage.  
         [0038]    A further advantage of the invention is a novel, safe and cost effective method of advertising and/or delivering messages. The messages may be displayed outright upon immediate use of the pump drinking straw or the messages may be less obvious, including semi-permanently hidden from plain view and designed to be uncovered at a later time.  
         [0039]    Another advantage is that the invention is likely safer and more reliable at delivering an intact prize than other drinking straw delivery systems due to the fact that small, removable parts are not required.  
         [0040]    Yet another advantage of this invention is the potential cost savings of this use of a prize delivery system. Many businesses, especially fast food establishments, have widely used the peel tabs or surfaces removable with scratching to reveal the prize message underneath. These existing methods may be used with the present invention.  
         [0041]    Still, a further advantage of this invention includes the ability to prominently display logos, word marks, cartoon characters, or other designs with a pump drinking straw. The novelty of the design in the design area incorporated into the pump drinking straw may make the invention a desirable keepsake, such as a memento from a theme park, specialty drink or destination vacation spot. The stand-alone toy embodiment increases the desirability of the invention.  
         [0042]    It is important to note, however, that the invention does not require that all these advantages need be incorporated into every embodiment of the invention.  
         [0043]    Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 4 , an embodiment of the invention is shown that includes a squeeze bulb pump device  11 . In this embodiment, pressing or constricting the squeeze bulb, preferably between thumb and fingers  12 , effectuates the pumping action by reducing the volume within the bulb. Upon the release of the squeeze bulb, at least one unidirectional valve inside the bulb creates a vacuum, thereby causing the liquid to travel up the drinking straw  2  into the bulb and return the bulb to its original volume. Squeezing the bulb a second time causes the lower valve  13  to close and the upper valve  14  to open, pushing the liquid up the straw into the recipient&#39;s mouth. Many of the messages described herein, including company logos, work marks or marketing messages can be imprinted on the display area  3  of the squeeze bulb pump device  4 .  
         [0044]    Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, vendors and marketing entities of the pump drinking straw are able to imprint a logo or message on the larger surface area of the display area  3  than is typically found on a localized surface of a drinking straw. The squeezing action of the squeeze bulb pump can make a caricature or logo or message distort in an amusing fashion  20 .  
         [0045]    Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, an accordion pump embodiment  30  of the invention is shown. The accordion pump may be positioned vertically  31 , horizontally  32  or even diagonally relative to the drinking straw  2  orientation. Like the squeeze bulb design, compressing the accordion pump with at least one unidirectional valve causes liquid to be pumped through the straw.  
         [0046]    Referring now to FIG. 7, a further embodiment of the invention has a roller pump  40 . The roller pump requires at least one roller mechanism  41  to pinch  42  the drinking straw  2  so that the roller may be moved up the straw, thereby pushing the contents of the drinking straw through the drinking straw and into the mouth of the user. The roller pump may be designed so that the pinching action is released upon the downward return of the roller pump. The method of moving the rollers up and down the drinking straw may include a hand crank or a wind-up pump.  
         [0047]    Referring now to FIGS.  8 - 10 , a variation of the roller pump embodiment  40  is the slide action roller pump embodiment  50 . Rollers  51  in an engaged position  52  pinch  53  the drinking straw  2  to push liquid through the straw as the rollers  51  are slid up the drinking straw and release  54  the drinking straw to slide back down to a return position when the rollers are slid down the drinking straw. One switch  55  engages and the other switch  56  disengages the rollers  51  of the slide action roller pump. This embodiment may include a one-way valve  57  at the end of the straw that meets the mouth.  
         [0048]    Referring now to FIG. 11, another embodiment is shown which should be of particular interest for companies that desire no distortion of their logo; rigid plates  60  can encompass the pump apparatus  4 , adding leverage to the pumping action while keeping the logos or message on the display area  3  from being distorted. Thus, this embodiment is designed for a spring  61  aided squeeze bulb pump  11  embodiment. The squeeze bulb is located under the pressure plates. Like the squeeze bulb embodiment, squeezing the outer plates causes the squeeze bulb pump to create a pumping action; the spring  61  helps return the squeeze bulb to the original shape and volume by returning the plates (and squeeze bulb) to their original, pre-squeezed position(s). Thus, the pressure plates are spring loaded to aid pumping action.  
         [0049]    Referring now to FIG. 12, another embodiment is shown that contains a squirt gun/spray bottle pump mechanism  70 . Pumping action is created in the squirt gun/spray bottle embodiment by squeezing the trigger  71 , drawing liquid through the drinking straw  2  by the movements of the piston  72  and a series of at least two unidirectional valves  73 , as is well known in the art. As the other embodiments, the liquid is transferred from a vessel to the mouth of the user.  
         [0050]    Referring now to FIG. 13, a further embodiment is depicted that contains a pump  80  in the handle  81  of a drinking vessel  82 . In the pump in handle embodiment, nearly the entire invention embodiment may be housed within a handle of a drinking vessel, such as a mug. Only the ends of the pump drinking straw extend beyond the drinking vessel handle. The second end portion  7  of the pump drinking straw is submersed in the liquid and the first end portion  6  of the pump drinking straw is available to meet the user&#39;s mouth. This embodiment may be a safer method to deliver hot beverages to the mouth of the user because pre-determined amounts of hot liquid can be delivered. Additionally, volumes of liquid temporarily housed within the pump device should not be prone to spilling, which will be a relief to anyone who has spilled while sipping a hot beverage from a disposable cup with a plastic, folding-flap lid when applying the automobile breaks. Pictured is the squeeze bulb pump device with a squeeze handle drinking cup pump in handle embodiment.  
         [0051]    Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, yet another embodiment is shown where the a pump device  4  is shaped  90  to convey a message and the pump drinking straw is configured to be used as a stand-alone toy when not used to drink liquids. Preferably, the pump device is shaped in a fanciful manner  90  to comprise the main portion of the toy  91 . The first end portion  6  is semi-permanently connected to the pump device whereas the second end portion  7  is either semi-permanently or permanently connected to the pump device. When the stand-alone toy function is desired, the first portion is disconnected from the pump device and the remaining second portion and the pump serve as the stand-alone toy. Therefore, the stand-alone toy embodiment pump may include the shape of the head of a cartoon character, logo/mascot of a sports team any other marketing need. Applicant has chosen readily recognizable shape for use as an example without regard as to whether such recognizable shape will be used in the manufacture of the pump drinking straw. “Mickey Mouse” is a registered trademark of Disney Enterprises, Incorporated.  
         [0052]    Referring now to FIG. 16, a further embodiment shows the pump device containing a filter  100 . The pump device filter component filters liquids, preferably water, as the user drinks. Pictured is a squeeze bulb pump  11  with filter material  101  inside the squeeze bulb for removing impurities from a liquid. Additionally, passageways in the bulb area can channel liquid through filter material. More course filters may be used to filter such things as fruit juice pulp, tea leaves or coffee grounds. This embodiment may also include one-way valves  102  at either or both ends of the pump mechanism leading to the first end portion  6  and second end portions  7 .  
         [0053]    Referring now to FIG. 17, still yet another embodiment comprises whistle while you drink embodiment  111 . The pump device contains a novelty device that produces a whistle, squeak or other sound created by air passing through an opening or device. Depicted is a whistle device  112  on a squeeze bulb pump  11 .  
         [0054]    Other embodiments of the invention will become apparent according to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications may be made to the invention herein without deviating from the concepts and spirit of the invention set forth herein. Additionally, combinations of embodiments are possible such as the whistle while you drink and the stand-alone toy embodiment for a noise-making toy or a pump in the handle and filter embodiments to filter out coffee grounds from hot coffee. Further combinations may include a plurality of pump devices in the same general location or in different locations on the pump drinking straw. For example, the pump drinking straw may include an air pump device and liquid pump device in a modified squeeze bulb embodiment so that the liquid pump device is housed within or adjacent to an air pump device in which both pumps are activated with the same squeezing action by the user.  
         [0055]    Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, other embodiments or versions will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, variations of additional pumps are possible, such as a battery-operated pump or greatly increasing the dimensions of the pump drinking straw for recreational consumption of increased quantities of beverages. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims and the concepts taught therein should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments contained herein.