Abstract:
Disclosed are educational straws having an end portion of a defined shape and the name of said shape displayed on the exterior body of the straw thereby instilling a cognitive recognition of a sequence of letters associated with the shape which will enhance vocabulary, spelling and object spatial recognition for a plurality of defined shapes

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to straws and, more specifically, to straws incorporating educational and enigma enhancement comprising an end portion of a shape and a corresponding descriptive name of the shape displayed on the exterior body of the straw thereby instilling a cognitive recognition of a sequence of letters associated with the shape which will enhance vocabulary, spelling and object spatial recognition for a plurality of various shapes including geometric shapes. 
         [0003]    There are many type of straws in the prior art having various shapes and forms designed to amuse and entertain the user. The present invention enhances these useful traits and adds an educational facet by forming a portion of the straw body into a shape and placing the associative word for the shape on the exterior body of the straw. The shapes include geometric shapes and those shapes that are commonly found in books, periodicals, advertisements and objects. As an example, the sun is often depicted as a circle having a number of peripheral triangles that when depicted in outline resembles the sun; another example would be four overlapping ellipses that when taken in outline resembles a cloud; another example would be four conjoined circles that when taken in outline would resemble a four leaf clover or a group of balloons; another example would be a side view of a car taken in outline would resemble a car, auto, automobile and motor vehicle, any of which are descriptive words that can be associated with the shape. The same would apply for a boat or a plane, although a plane having a somewhat cross-shape would necessitate putting the shaped end into the beverage more out of necessity than choice but it is provided that users may choose either end as the mouth engaging end. 
         [0004]    Preferably, the portion of the straw forming the outlined shape is an end where the rim of the straw is the outlined shape and extends into the body forming the shaped portion of the straw. The shaped portion of the straw, while depicted throughout the drawing figures as on the end of the straw, may be formed in the body of the straw by distending the straw body to the shaped portion, extending the shaped portion for an appropriate distance and distending the shaped portion back to the body portion. 
         [0005]    Additionally, the present invention provides for an additional element in the form of a lip engaging portion(s) which is one or more curvilinearly extending planar surfaces that may be necessary for the child to sealingly engage the straw body with their lips for irregular shapes such as the aforementioned sun shape. 
         [0006]    It is also provided by the present invention that incorporation of a flexible portion within the shaped portion can produce a shaped portion having a deployable portion. 
         [0007]    Additionally provided for is using the accordion folds to conceal an enigma portion that can be used in conjunction with a plurality of similar straws in games and contests ranging from simply guessing the word descriptor before expanding the flexible portion to reveal the descriptor word; providing a plurality of straws having a single straw with a unique indicator identifiable through letters, numbers, glifs, images, graphics, pictures, words and combinations thereof and includes providing an enigma portion which is a concealed answer to some other viewable straw copy. An example of the former would be a straw copy of: Your Lucky Numbers—with the numbers concealed in the accordion folds; or a straw copy of: Are these your Lucky Numbers? 1, 15, 18, 23, 45, . . . n,—with the closed accordion fold concealing some enigma qualifying indicator, such as astrological sign, favorite color, riddle, personality trait or other qualifying indicator. 
         [0008]    In use, the straw can be inverted so that the shape is in the beverage. 
         [0009]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0010]    There are other straws designed for beverages. While these straws may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0011]    A primary object of the present invention is to provide a straw as an educational media. 
         [0012]    An additional object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of different shaped straws in combination with a package forming a packaged set of educational straws. 
         [0013]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a straw comprising a body portion and a shaped portion. 
         [0014]    An additional object of the present invention is to provide a straw wherein the body portion is typically tubular. 
         [0015]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a straw wherein the shaped portion is created by the wall of the straw forming an outline of a discernable shape. 
         [0016]    An additional object of the present invention is to provide a straw having a flexible portion used in combination with the body portion and the shaped portion that may be incorporated into the body portion and/or shaped portion and may additionally serve to separate the body portion from the shaped portion. 
         [0017]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a straw having a flexible portion interdisposed with the shaped portion to produce a deployable portion. 
         [0018]    A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a straw with a flexible portion that can be used to create an enigma portion by concealing some value within the closed accordion folds of the flexible portion that can only be revealed by extending the folds to their open position and therein revealing the copy of the accordion folds. 
         [0019]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide a straw with a flexible portion having an accordion-like folds portion having copy thereon that serves as a user discernable qualifier to determine whether the viewable straw copy pertains to the user. 
         [0020]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a set of straws having a flexible portion comprising an accordion-like folds portion having copy thereon with with one or more straws having accordion-folds copy of a discernable unique identifier so that the set can be used in a selection process as deemed by the user. 
         [0021]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a straw wherein one or more viewable words appear on the straw defining the discernable shaped portion of the straw. 
         [0022]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a straw wherein the one or more viewable words appear on the shaped portion with a planar portion provided on the shaped portion for placement of the one or more words describing the shaped portion. 
         [0023]    Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
         [0024]    The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing educational straws having an end portion of a defined shape and the name of said shape displayed on the exterior body of the straw thereby instilling a cognitive recognition of a sequence of letters associated with the shaped portion which will enhance vocabulary, spelling and object spatial recognition for a plurality of shapes. 
         [0025]    The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
         [0026]    The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0027]    In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  is an illustrated view of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 10  is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 11  is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 12  is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 13  is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 14  is another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
       [0042]    Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate the hybrid induction motor of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing Figures.
     10  shaped straw and descriptor of the present invention     12  package of  10       14  compartment of  12       16  straws of  10       18  end bore     20  end bore     22  shaped portion     24  flexible portion     26  body portion     28  shape     30  rigid body portion     32  flexible body portion     34  descriptor     35  package fastener     36  balloon shape     38  “Balloon” shape name     40  body of balloon straw     42  clover shape     44  “Clover” shape name     46  body of clover straw     48  sun shape     50  “Sun” shape name     52  body of sun straw     54  heart shape     56  “Heart” shape name     58  body of heart straw     60  harp moon shape     62  “Harp moon” shape name     64  body of harp moon straw     66  star shape     68  “Star” shape name     70  body of star straw     72  circle shape     74  “Circle” shape name     76  body of circle straw     78  delta shape     80  “Delta” shape name     82  body of delta straw     83  flag image     84  square shape     85  flag name     86  “Square” shape name     88  body of square straw     90  triangle shape     92  “Triangle” shape name     94  body of triangle straw     96  hex shape     98  “Hex” shape name     100  body of hex straw     102  flower shape     104  “Flower” shape name     105  stand-off of  34       106  body of flower straw     108  indicia of  12       110  copy of  16       112  enigma portion     114  copy of  112       116  accordion-like folds in compressed state     118  accordion-like folds in extended state   
 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0102]    The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
         [0103]      FIG. 1  is an illustrated view of the present invention. The present invention is a learning tool comprising a set of straws having a word shown on the body of the straw that describes the particular shape of at least one end portion of the straw which can teach the user object spatial recognition, associated vocabulary and spelling. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention  10 , a package  12  having compartment  14  with a plurality of straws  16  having shaped bore  18  and bore  20  are provided with various shapes as illustrated. Shown is the educational set of straws where each straw is comprised of a shaped portion  22  and body portion  26  that may include flexure portion  24  by incorporating flexure section  32  into body  26  which also provides a straw variant having the typical conduit  30  conjoined to shaped portion  22  having shape  28  with descriptor word  34  defining the shape  28 . 
         [0104]    Package  12  also provides access  35  that may incorporate a resealable closure. Additionally the present invention provides that in operation the user can invert the straw having either bore  18 ,  20  in the beverage while the other is in the user&#39;s mouth respectively. 
         [0105]    Also shown is balloon shape  36  having descriptor word “Balloon”  38  appearing on the straw body  40  that optionally provides for conjoining shape  36  with body portion  40  using a typical smooth housing  30  or incorporating flexure joint  32  creating flexure portion  24 . Also shown is clover shape  42  having descriptor word “Clover”  44  appearing on the straw body  46  that optionally provides for conjoining shape  42  with body portion  46  using a typical smooth housing  30  or incorporating flexure joint  32  creating flexure portion  24 . Also shown is sun shape  48  having descriptor word “Sun”  50  appearing on the straw body  52  that optionally provides for conjoining shape  48  with body portion  52  using a typical smooth housing  30  or incorporating flexure joint  32  creating flexure portion  24 . Also shown is heart shape  54  having descriptor word “Heart”  56  appearing on the straw body  58  that optionally provides for conjoining shape  54  with body portion  58  using a typical smooth housing  30  or incorporating flexure joint  32  creating flexure portion  24 . Also shown is harp moon shape  60  having descriptor words “Harp Moon”  62  appearing on the straw body  64  that optionally provides for conjoining shape  60  with body portion  64  using a typical smooth housing  30  or incorporating flexure joint  32  creating flexure portion  24 . Also shown is star shape  66  having descriptor word “Star”  68  appearing on the straw body  70  that optionally provides for conjoining shape  66  with body portion  70  using a typical smooth housing  30  or incorporating flexure joint  32  creating flexure portion  24 . Also shown is circle shape  72  having descriptor word “Circle”  74  appearing on the straw body  76  that optionally provides for conjoining shape  72  with body portion  76  using a typical smooth housing  30  or incorporating flexure joint  32  creating flexure portion  24 . Also shown is delta shape  78  having descriptor word “Delta”  80  appearing on the straw body  82  that optionally provides for conjoining shape  78  with body portion  82  using a typical smooth housing  30  or incorporating flexure joint  32  creating flexure portion  24 . Also shown is square shape  84  having flag image  83  appearing on the straw body  88  that optionally provides for conjoining shape  84  with body portion  88  using a typical smooth housing  30  or incorporating flexure joint  32  creating flexure portion  24 . Also shown is triangle shape  90  having descriptor word “Triangle”  92  appearing on the straw body  94  that optionally provides for conjoining shape  90  with body portion  94  using a typical smooth housing  30  or incorporating flexure joint  32  creating flexure portion  24 . Also shown is hex shape  96  having descriptor word “Hex”  98  appearing on the straw body  100  that optionally provides for conjoining shape  96  with body portion  100  using a typical smooth housing  30  or incorporating flexure joint  32  creating flexure portion  24 . Also shown is flower shape  102  having descriptor word “Flower” 104  appearing on the straw body  106  that optionally provides for conjoining shape  102  with body portion  106  using a typical smooth housing  30  or incorporating flexure joint  32  creating flexure portion  24 . 
         [0106]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , shown is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention. Depicted is straw  10  extending between bore  18  and bore  20  comprising shaped portion  22  having shape  28  and body portion  26  that may mate with the shaped portion by tubular wall  30  or may incorporate flexure section  32  forming flexure portion  24 . The shape variant  28  illustrated is that of a balloon shape  36  having descriptor word  34  comprising the shape descriptive word “Balloon”  38  with the body portion terminating in bottom portion  40  that may have a similar cross sectional shape as that of the shaped portion  22  or a dissimilar cross sectional shape. 
         [0107]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , shown is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention. Depicted is straw  10  extending between bore  18  and bore  20  comprising shaped portion  22  having shape  28  and body portion  26  that may mate with the shaped portion by tubular wall  30  or may incorporate flexure section  32  forming flexure portion  24 . The shape variant  28  illustrated is that of a clover shape  42  having descriptor word  34  comprising the shape descriptive word “Clover”  44  with the body portion terminating in bottom portion  46  that may have a similar cross sectional shape as that of the shaped portion  22  or a dissimilar cross sectional shape. 
         [0108]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , shown is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention. Depicted is straw  10  extending between bore  18  and bore  20  comprising shaped portion  22  having shape  28  and body portion  26  that may mate with the shaped portion by tubular wall  30  or may incorporate flexure section  32  forming flexure portion  24 . The shape variant  28  illustrated is that of a sun shape  48  having descriptor word  34  comprising the shape descriptive word “Sun”  50  with the body portion terminating in bottom portion  52  that may have a similar cross sectional shape as that of the shaped portion  22  or a dissimilar cross sectional shape. 
         [0109]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , shown is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention. Depicted is straw  10  extending between bore  18  and bore  20  comprising shaped portion  22  having shape  28  and body portion  26  that may mate with the shaped portion by tubular wall  30  or may incorporate flexure section  32  forming flexure portion  24 . The shape variant  28  illustrated is that of a heart shape  54  having descriptor word  34  comprising the shape descriptive word “Heart”  56  with the body portion terminating in bottom portion  58  that may have a similar cross sectional shape as that of the shaped portion  22  or a dissimilar cross sectional shape. 
         [0110]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , shown is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention. Depicted is straw  10  extending between bore  18  and bore  20  comprising shaped portion  22  having shape  28  and body portion  26  that may mate with the shaped portion by tubular wall  30  or may incorporate flexure section  32  forming flexure portion  24 . The shape variant  28  illustrated is that of a harp moon shape  60  having descriptor word  34  comprising the shape descriptive word “Harp moon”  62  with the body portion terminating in bottom portion  64  that may have a similar cross sectional shape as that of the shaped portion  22  or a dissimilar cross sectional shape. 
         [0111]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , shown is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention. Depicted is straw  10  extending between bore  18  and bore  20  comprising shaped portion  22  having shape  28  and body portion  26  that may mate with the shaped portion by tubular wall  30  or may incorporate flexure section  32  forming flexure portion  24 . The shape variant  28  illustrated is that of a star shape  66  having descriptor word  34  comprising the shape descriptive word “Star”  68  with the body portion terminating in bottom portion  70  that may have a similar cross sectional shape as that of the shaped portion  22  or a dissimilar cross sectional shape. 
         [0112]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , shown is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention. Depicted is straw  10  extending between bore  18  and bore  20  comprising shaped portion  22  having shape  28  and body portion  26  that may mate with the shaped portion by tubular wall  30  or may incorporate flexure section  32  forming flexure portion  24 . The shape variant  28  illustrated is that of a circle shape  72  having descriptor word  34  comprising the shape descriptive word “Circle”  74  with the body portion terminating in bottom portion  76  that may have a similar cross sectional shape as that of the shaped portion  22  or a dissimilar cross sectional shape. 
         [0113]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , shown is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention. Depicted is straw  10  extending between bore  18  and bore  20  comprising shaped portion  22  having shape  28  and body portion  26  that may mate with the shaped portion by tubular wall  30  or may incorporate flexure section  32  forming flexure portion  24 . The shape variant  28  illustrated is that of a delta shape  78  having descriptor word  34  comprising the shape descriptive word “Delta”  80  with the body portion terminating in bottom portion  82  that may have a similar cross sectional shape as that of the shaped portion  22  or a dissimilar cross sectional shape. 
         [0114]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , shown is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention. Depicted is straw  10  extending between bore  18  and bore  20  comprising shaped portion  22  having shape  28  and body portion  26  that may mate with the shaped portion by tubular wall  30  or may incorporate flexure section  32  forming flexure portion  24 . The shape variant  28  illustrated is that of a square shape  84  having descriptor word  34  comprising the shape descriptive word “Square”  86  with the body portion terminating in bottom portion  88  that may have a similar cross sectional shape as that of the shaped portion  22  or a dissimilar cross sectional shape. Also shown is an additional element of the present invention  10 , comprising positioning an image, graphic, picture, text or combination thereof in addition to or in lieu of descriptor word  34  upon the surface of the straw. As illustrated flag image  83  is positioned on the exterior surface having flag name  85  also positioned thereon. 
         [0115]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , shown is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention. Depicted is straw  10  extending between bore  18  and bore  20  comprising shaped portion  22  having shape  28  and body portion  26  that may mate with the shaped portion by tubular wall  30  or may incorporate flexure section  32  forming flexure portion  24 . The shape variant  28  illustrated is that of a triangle shape  90  having descriptor word  34  comprising the shape descriptive word “Triangle”  92  with the body portion terminating in bottom portion  94  that may have a similar cross sectional shape as that of the shaped portion  22  or a dissimilar cross sectional shape. 
         [0116]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , shown is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention. Depicted is straw  10  extending between bore  18  and bore  20  comprising shaped portion  22  having shape  28  and body portion  26  that may mate with the shaped portion by tubular wall  30  or may incorporate flexure section  32  forming flexure portion  24 . The shape variant  28  illustrated is that of a hex shape  96  having descriptor word  34  comprising the shape descriptive word “Hex”  98  with the body portion terminating in bottom portion  100  that may have a similar cross sectional shape as that of the shaped portion  22  or a dissimilar cross sectional shape. 
         [0117]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , shown is an illustrative view of a variant of the educational straw of the present invention. Depicted is straw  10  extending between bore  18  and bore  20  comprising shaped portion  22  having shape  28  and body portion  26  that may mate with the shaped portion by tubular wall  30  or may incorporate flexure section  32  forming flexure portion  24 . The shape variant  28  illustrated is that of a flower shape  102  having descriptor word  34  comprising the shape descriptive word “Flower”  104  with the body portion terminating in bottom portion  106  that may have a similar cross sectional shape as that of the shaped portion  22  or a dissimilar cross sectional shape. 
         [0118]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , shown is another embodiment of the present invention. Depicted is straw  10  extending between bore  18  and bore  20  comprising shaped portion  22  having shape  28  and body portion  26  with flexure portion  24 .forming enigma portion  112  having copy  114  which is not visible when straw  16  is in a folded state  116  and is visible when straw  16  is extended to an unfolded state  118  whereupon copy  114  is visible. Straw  10  of the present invention provides that copy  110  includes descriptor word  34  as well as copy designed to entice the user to discover the enigma copy  114 . 
         [0119]    While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
         [0120]    Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.