PAPER DRINKING STRAW, BEVERAGE CONTAINER, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE PAPER DRINKING STRAW

The invention refers to a paper drinking straw (17, 23, 29, 35, 49, 62, 69, 77, 99, 105, 114, 121) comprising a paper tube (1, 9, 18, 24, 30, 36, 63, 70, 78, 99, 105, 114, 121) with a first end (2, 10, 21, 27, 33, 39, 65, 72, 80, 100, 106, 115, 122) and a second end (3, 11, 22, 28, 34, 40, 67, 75, 82, 101, 107, 116, 123). At least one impregnated region (20, 26, 32, 38, 66, 73, 103, 109, 110, 111, 118, 119, 125) of the paper tube is impregnated with an impregnation agent, and at least one region (104, 112, 113, 120, 126) is not impregnated with the impregnation agent. A beverage container for receiving liquid product comprises the paper drinking straw and a penetration opening for introducing it. A method for producing the paper drinking straw comprises providing a raw paper tube; cutting through the raw paper tube, thereby producing the paper tube with the first and second end; then impregnating the at least one impregnated region with the impregnation agent and not impregnating the at least one region with the impregnation agent.

The present invention refers to a paper drinking straw according to the preamble of claim1, a beverage container according to claim17, and a method for producing a paper drinking straw according to claim19.

PRIOR ART

GB 2579107 A discloses a paper drinking straw with a first and a second paper layer each comprising an inner and an outer surface. A paper core layer comprises a first and a second surface. The inner surface of the first paper layer is bonded to the first surface of the paper core layer, and the inner surface of the second paper layer is bonded to the second surface of the paper core layer. At least the outer surfaces of the first and second paper layer are coated with a water-resistant barrier coating that may comprise a styrene free acrylic based coating, a styrene-based coating, a polymer dispersion coating, modified starch, vegetable oil, or a natural wax. The coating may be applied using a water-based dispersion coating method.

EP 3 581 071 A1 discloses a coated paper straw being rolled into a tube from a sheet. The sheet is a coated paper strip comprising a coated paper with one or two waterproof coating layers. The paper straw has an interface edge that is joined by overlapping portions of two sides of the coated paper strip along the longitudinal direction. The coating layer is at least located on the exterior side of the paper straw, and may be made of a biodegradable coated resin.

US 2019/0343312 A1 discloses a straw with an upper part comprising a hollow plastic tube with a movable, length adaptable section, wherein the plastic may be biodegradable, and with a lower tube shape part made of biodegradable paper. The bottom end of the upper part is coupled to the top end of the lower part. The top end of the lower part may comprise a necked down portion in which the diameter is reduced that may be inserted into the bottom end of the upper part.

It is known that for producing paper drinking straws, several paper layers that may be coated with adhesive are helically or horizontally wound and finally stuck together.

For example, WO 2020/099360 A1 discloses a system and a method for producing lengths of tube, wherein strips are supplied with a strip supplying device to a winding device and are helically wound around a mandrel to form a base tube moving away from the mandrel at a tube speed. A selection of at least one of the strips is placed with a contact side thereof in direct contact with the mandrel during the winding, wherein the at least one strip of the selection is moved along a lubrication device to apply a layer of lubrication material on the contact side of the at least one strip before the at least one strip is wound around the mandrel. The base tube may be cut at a predetermined length with a cutting device while the base tube is moving in a tube direction at the tube speed.

In order to enable the penetration of a paper drinking straw into a penetration opening of a beverage container one end of the paper drinking straw is provided with a slant for forming a bevelled tip. However, the bevelled tip reduces the stability of the paper drinking straw in the area of the tip. Thus, by a light touch or by applying a pressure, the tip may fold over or may kink. Consequently, penetrating the paper drinking straw with the tip into the penetration opening of a beverage container may be hindered or may even be impossible.

OBJECT

The invention thus has the object to provide a paper drinking straw and a beverage container with the paper drinking straw, the paper drinking straw being ecologically safe and providing satisfactory stability.

Solution

This object is solved by the paper drinking straw of claim1and the beverage container of claim17, and the method for producing a paper drinking straw of claim19. Additional embodiments and improvements are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The paper drinking straw for a beverage container comprises a paper tube with a first end and a second end. At least one impregnated region of the paper tube is impregnated with an impregnation agent and at least one region of the paper tube is not impregnated with the impregnation agent.

The impregnation of the at least one impregnated region of the paper tube may increase the stability of this region. Thus, also the stability of the paper drinking straw as a whole may be increased.

The at least one region not being impregnated with the impregnation agent also is not impregnated with any other king of impregnation agent. This may apply for all the various embodiments and examples of paper drinking straws mentioned throughout this application.

The impregnation agent may penetrate into pores and spaces between fibres of the paper. Additionally, the impregnation agent may penetrate at least partially into fibres of the paper.

The at least one impregnated region may comprise a first impregnated region starting form a second end of the paper tube and extending towards the first end of the paper tube and being impregnated with the impregnation agent. Exemplarily the first impregnated region may extend for less than 80% or 90% of a total length of the paper tube.

The word “first” is being used to distinguish the different regions mentioned. It has no further limiting meaning. The first impregnated region may be the only impregnated region of the paper tube, or the paper tube may comprise one or more additional impregnated regions; as long as at least one region of the paper tube is not impregnated with the impregnation agent.

The at least one impregnated region may comprise a second impregnated region starting at a distance from a second end of the paper tube and extending as an annular ring towards the first end of the paper tube and being impregnated with the impregnation agent. Exemplarily the annular ring may have a width of 10% to 25% of a total length of the paper tube. Exemplarily the distance may be 20% to 50% of the total length of the paper tube.

The word “second” is being used to distinguish the different regions mentioned. It has no further limiting meaning. The second impregnated region may be the only impregnated region of the paper tube, or the paper tube may comprise one or more additional impregnated regions; as long as at least one region of the paper tube is not impregnated with the impregnation agent.

The at least one impregnated region may comprise a third impregnated region starting form the first end of the paper tube and extending towards the second end of the paper tube and being impregnated with the impregnation agent, wherein exemplarily the third impregnated region extends for less than 80% or 90% of a total length of the paper tube.

The word “third” is being used to distinguish the different regions mentioned. It has no further limiting meaning. The third impregnated region may be the only impregnated region of the paper tube, or the paper tube may comprise one or more additional impregnated regions; as long as at least one region of the paper tube is not impregnated with the impregnation agent.

Starting from the second end of the paper tube 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% of a total length of the paper tube may not be impregnated with the impregnation agent, wherein when starting from the second end of the paper tube 100% of the total length of the paper tube are not impregnated with the impregnation agent a cutting edge at the first end of the paper tube is impregnated with the impregnation agent. When 100% of the total length of the paper tube are not impregnated, e.g., the cutting edge of the bevelled tip may be impregnated.

The impregnation agent may comprise one or more of silicate, polymer, resin (artificial or natural), wax (artificial or natural), adhesive, latex, also casein glue or shellac.

The impregnation agent may comprise sodium silicate. For example, sodium silicate may be used that comprises an aqueous solution of glasslike and water soluble sodium silicate that has solidified from a melting. Drying of the aqueous solution of sodium silicate starts with evaporation of the water and leads to creation of water-insoluble silica, thus leading to silification. The silification is irreversible.

The paper tube may comprise a winded paper layer, wherein the impregnation agent may only have been applied to an exposed surface of the paper tube. The exposed surface may comprise an outer surface and/or an inner surface and/or a cutting edge of the paper tube.

The paper tube can comprise a paper layer of several layers of paper. The several layers of paper may be glued together. Cutting edges and interspaces may be sealed. Sealing may take place before impregnating the bevelled tip. The width and the thickness, e.g., in grams per square metre, may be different for the several layers.

The first end of the paper tube can comprise a straight end and the second end of the paper tube can comprise a straight end. A straight end may mean that a cutting edge at the first/second end may extend vertically to the longitudinal axis of the paper tube. Some deviation of ±1 degree may also be considered a straight end.

Alternatively, the first end of the paper tube can comprise a bevelled tip and the second end of the paper tube can comprise a straight end. The bevelled tip may be produced by an oblique cut of a paper tube. A cutting edge at the first end may extend with an angle to the longitudinal axis of the paper tube between 20° to 75°. For example, the angle may lay in a region between 30°±5° or in a region between 45°±5°. For measuring and/or determining the angle, a plane in that the cutting edge lies may be defined and the angle extending between this plane and the longitudinal axis of the paper tube may be measured and/or determined.

The bevelled tip can be at least partially impregnated with an impregnation agent. The impregnation of at least part of the bevelled tip improves its hardness and stability such that folding over or kinking of the bevelled tip can be prevented and a reliable penetration of the bevelled tip into the beverage container is possible.

Moreover, capillary action at the cutting edge of the bevelled tip can be reduced as penetration of the liquid provided in the beverage container may be prevented or strongly reduced.

The cutting edge of the bevelled tip can be impregnated with the impregnation agent. Starting from the cutting edge, a depth of at least 0.5 mm, 1 mm, or 1.5 mm can be impregnated with the impregnation agent. When the depth of at least 0.5 mm, 1 mm, or 1.5 mm is impregnated with the impregnation agent, pores, space, and the like between the fibres of the paper of the paper drinking straw and/or the fibres of the paper of the paper drinking straw may comprise the impregnation agent.

A cutting edge of the bevelled tip being impregnated with the impregnation agent can be achieved when during a production process of the paper drinking straw, the bevelled tip is produced first and then, afterwards, the impregnation agent is provided to the bevelled tip. Like that, the bevelled tip can be at least partially impregnated with impregnation agent and additionally the cutting edge of the bevelled tip can be impregnated with the impregnation agent.

The paper may comprise at least one of: wood fibres, bamboo fibres, bagasse fibres, seaweed fibres, fibres of banana plant, fibres of Abaca plant, synthetic fibres, polymer-based fibres, plastic fibres.

For producing the paper drinking straw, first the paper tube may be produced and the bevelled tip may be provided. Only after that, the bevelled tip is at least partly impregnated. Thus, the at least one paper layer, or at least some part of the at least one paper layer for producing the paper tube does not have to be impregnated and/or has to comprise impregnation agent before the paper tube is produced and before the bevelled tip is provided.

At least an are impregnated with and/or an outer surface of the paper tube and/or a cutting edge of the bevelled tip may be impregnated with the impregnation agent. Alternatively or additionally, the cutting edge of the bevelled tip may be impregnated partially or completely.

Regions aside of the bevelled tip may not impregnated with the impregnation agent. Thus, the required amount of impregnation agent may be reduced. An impregnation of the total paper drinking straw may not be required as long as the bevelled tip is at least partially impregnated.

The bevelled tip may be at least partially impregnated with an impregnation agent only after providing the bevelled tip. Impregnating the bevelled tip with the impregnation agent only after providing the bevelled tip may result in a penetration of the impregnation agent into pores and spaces between fibres of the paper also with an origin at the cutting edge of the bevelled tip. Additionally, the impregnation agent may penetrate at least partially into fibres of the paper also with an origin at the cutting edge of the bevelled tip.

For all embodiments above and below the impregnation agent can be provided on the paper drinking straw by spraying it onto the paper drinking straw or by dipping the paper drinking straw into a liquid impregnation agent. After dipping it into the impregnation agent, air or any other gas may be used to blow of superfluous impregnation agent. The spraying can be performed by means of a nozzle that ejects the impregnation agent onto the region of the paper drinking straw that is to be impregnated. After application of the impregnation agent by spraying or by dipping the impregnation agent may be caused to solidify by hardening it (e.g. in case of a resin) or by drying it (e.g. in case of a silicate).

Alternatively, the impregnation agent can be applied by bringing the paper drinking straw in contact with a material that is soaked with the impregnation agent such as a sponge or tissue or felt to thereby provide the agent to the paper drinking straw.

Also, the impregnation agent can be applied to a cutting knife such that the agent is transferred to the cutting edge at the same time as the bevelled edge is prepared.

The beverage container for receiving liquid product comprises a penetration opening for introducing a paper drinking straw as described above or below, and the paper drinking straw. The paper drinking straw may be provided in a hygienic packaging. The hygienic packaging may be at least partially attached to the beverage container in a stable manner; it may be stuck to it and/or it may be removable from it. The paper drinking straw can be removed from the hygienic packing, wherein the hygienic packing may be still attached to the beverage container or may have been taken off the beverage container.

The beverage container can be designed as a beverage carton, as a foil bag or as a stand-up pouch.

The method for producing a paper drinking straw according to one of the embodiments and/or examples described above or below comprises:providing a raw paper tube;cutting through the raw paper tube, thereby producing the paper tube with the first end and the second end; andthen impregnating the at least one impregnated region with the impregnation agent and not impregnating the at least one region of the paper tube with the impregnation agent.

The impregnating the at least one impregnated region can comprise:impregnating a first impregnated region starting form the second end of the paper tube and extending towards the first end of the paper tube with the impregnation agent, wherein exemplarily the first impregnated region extends for less than 80% or 90% of a total length of the paper tube, and/orimpregnating a second impregnated region starting at a distance from a second end of the paper tube and extending as an annular ring towards the first end of the paper tube with the impregnation agent, wherein exemplarily the annular ring has a width of 10% to 25% of a total length of the paper tube, wherein exemplarily the distance is 20% to 50% of the total length of the paper tube, and/orimpregnating a third impregnated region starting form the first end of the paper tube and extending towards the second end of the paper tube with the impregnation agent, wherein exemplarily the third impregnated region extends for less than 80% or 90% of a total length of the paper tube.

The impregnating the at least one impregnated region can comprise further or additionally:impregnating a cutting edge at the first end of the paper tube with the impregnation agent.

The cutting through can be a straight cutting resulting that the first end comprises a straight first end.

Alternatively, the cutting through being an oblique cutting resulting that the first end comprises a bevelled tip.

The method can further comprise at least partially impregnating the bevelled tip with the impregnation agent.

The method can further comprise impregnating at least an inner surface and/or an outer surface and/or a cutting edge of the bevelled tip with the impregnation agent.

The method can further comprise not impregnating regions aside of the bevelled tip with the impregnation agent.

The method can further comprise impregnating the bevelled tip at least partially with the impregnation agent only after providing the bevelled tip.

The cutting can be done with a cutting knife, wherein the impregnation agent can be applied to the cutting knife and wherein the impregnation agent can be transferred to the cutting edge during the cutting of the raw paper straw.

The method can further comprise solidifying the impregnation agent by hardening or drying, wherein exemplarily solidifying the impregnation agent of the at least partially impregnated bevelled tip and/or solidifying the impregnation agent of the first impregnated region and/or solidifying the impregnation agent of the second region and/or solidifying the impregnation agent of the cutting edge by hardening or drying can be performed at the same time or at at least two different times.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The following figures disclose embodiments being related to paper drinking straws comprising one straight end and a bevelled tip at the other end.

FIG.1Aillustrates an inclined view from below of a paper tube1with a total length L11that might have been cut from an endless paper tube, wherein the endless paper tube has been produced by horizontal winding of at least one paper layer. The paper tube1comprises a first end2and a second end3. Moreover, a connection edge4is depicted, where edges of the at least one paper layer firmly adjoin and that extends in a longitudinal direction. The paper tube1, and thus the paper drinking straw produced from it, comprises an inner surface59pointing to the interior of the paper tube1, and an outer surface58pointing to the exterior of the paper tube1.

By applying a physical oblique cut that starts at a starting point in a distance L13from the first end2of the paper tube1, a bevelled tip5with a cutting edge6is provided (seeFIG.1B). The paper tube ofFIG.1Bmay also be obtained by applying an oblique cut to a paper tube of the length L12plus L11, which cuts the tube into two equal parts, one of which is shown inFIG.1B. The remaining length L12of the paper tube1above the oblique cut amounts to the difference of the distance L13from the total length L11of the paper tube1. The part of the paper tube1that represents the bevelled tip5is indicated by the dashed region. The dashed region comprises the part of the paper tube1that extends between a plane, the plane being perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the paper tube1and going through the starting point of the oblique cut, and the first end2of the paper tube1.

FIG.1Cillustrates a side view on the paper tube1ofFIG.1B. An upper end7of the bevelled tip5and a lower end8of the bevelled tip5are illustrated. The upper end7may correspond to the starting point of the physical oblique cut. The lower end8may be used for penetrating a penetration opening of a beverage container.

After providing the bevelled tip5, the bevelled tip5, a part of the bevelled tip5, a part of the bevelled tip5and another part of the paper tube1, or the bevelled tip5and another part of the paper tube1may be impregnated with an impregnation agent; seeFIGS.3A,3B,3C,3D. It is also possible to only impregnate the cutting edge6of the bevelled tip5, e.g., partially or completely. Thus, the at least one paper layer, or at least some part of the at least one paper layer for producing the paper tube1does not have to be impregnated and/or has to comprise impregnation agent before the paper tube1is produced and before the bevelled tip5is provided.

FIG.2Aillustrates an inclined view from below of a paper tube9with a total length L21that might have been cut from an endless paper tube, wherein the endless paper tube has been produced by helically winding of at least one paper layer. The paper tube9comprises a first end10and a second end11. Moreover, a connection edge12where edges of the at least one paper layer firmly adjoin and that extends helically is depicted. The paper tube9, and thus the paper drinking straw produced from it, comprises an inner surface61pointing to the interior of the paper tube9, and an outer surface60pointing to the exterior of the paper tube9.

By applying a physical oblique cut that starts at a starting point in a distance L23from the first end10of the paper tube9, a bevelled tip13with a cutting edge14is provided. The remaining length L22of the paper tube9above the oblique cut amounts to the difference of the distance L23from the total length L21of the paper tube9. The part of the paper tube9that represents the bevelled tip13is indicated by the dashed-pointed region. The dashed-pointed region comprises the part of the paper tube9that extends between a plane, the plane being perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the paper tube9and going through the starting point of the oblique cut, and the first end10of the paper tube9. The paper tube11as shown inFIG.2Bmay also be obtained by applying an oblique cut to a paper tube of the length L22plus L21producing two equal parts one of which is shown inFIG.2B.

FIG.2Cillustrates a side view on the paper tube9ofFIG.2B. An upper end15of the bevelled tip13and a lower end16of the bevelled tip13are illustrated. The upper end15may correspond to the starting point of the physical oblique cut. The lower end16may be used for penetrating a penetration opening of a beverage container.

After providing the bevelled tip13, the bevelled tip13, a part of the bevelled tip13, a part of the bevelled tip13and another part of the paper tube9, or the bevelled tip13and another part of the paper tube9may be impregnated with an impregnation agent; seeFIGS.3A,3B,3C,3D. It is also possible to only impregnate the cutting edge14of the bevelled tip9. Thus, the at least one paper layer, or at least some part of the at least one paper layer for producing the paper tube9does not have to be impregnated and/or has to comprise impregnation agent before the paper tube9is produced and before the bevelled tip13is provided.

FIG.3Aillustrates a first embodiment of a paper drinking straw17that comprises a paper tube18with a bevelled tip19at a first end21of the paper tube18; the paper tube18may be one ofFIG.1B/1C or ofFIG.2B/2C or another suitable paper tube. The paper tube18and thus the paper drinking straw17comprise a total length L31. The physical oblique cut for providing the bevelled tip19started at a distance L33from the first end21of the paper tube18. The length L32of the paper tube18and thus of the paper drinking straw17above the oblique cut is the difference of the distance L33from the total length L31of the paper tube18and the paper drinking straw17, respectively.

A region20in that the bevelled tip19has been impregnated with the impregnation agent is indicated by hatching. In the illustrated case, the impregnated region corresponds to the bevelled tip19and starts at a distance La from the second end22of the paper tube18and the paper drinking straw17, respectively. The value of the distance La corresponds to the value of the length L32above the oblique cut.

FIG.3Billustrates a second embodiment of a paper drinking straw23comprising a paper tube24with a bevelled tip25at the first end27of the paper tube24that also may be one ofFIG.1B/1C or ofFIG.2B/2C or another suitable paper tube. The total length L31, the length L32and the distance L33correspond to those of the first embodiment as depicted inFIG.3A.

Moreover, a region26in that the bevelled tip25has been impregnated with the impregnation agent is indicated by hatching. This region26starts at a distance Lb from the second end28of the paper tube24. The value of the distance Lb is smaller than the value of the length L32of the paper tube24and thus of the paper drinking straw23above the oblique cut. The impregnated region26thus comprises the bevelled tip25and another part of the paper tube24.

FIG.3Cillustrates a third embodiment of a paper drinking straw29comprising a paper tube30with a bevelled tip31at a first end33of the paper tube30that also may be one ofFIG.1B/1C or ofFIG.2B/2C or another suitable paper tube. The total length L31, the length L32and the distance L33correspond to those of the first embodiment as depicted inFIG.3A, and the second embodiment as depicted inFIG.3B, respectively.

Moreover, a region32in that part of the bevelled tip31has been impregnated with impregnation agent is indicated by hatching. This region32extends in a distance hc parallel to the cutting edge of the bevelled tip31. The region32may also be not parallel to the cutting edge but inclined to it.

FIG.3Dillustrates a fourth embodiment of a paper drinking straw35comprising a paper tube36with a bevelled tip37at the first end39of the paper tube36that also may be one ofFIG.1B/1C or ofFIG.2B/2C or another suitable paper tube. The total length L31, the length L32and the distance L33correspond to those of the first, second and third embodiments.

Moreover, a region38in that part of the bevelled tip37has been impregnated with the impregnation agent is indicated by hatching. This region38starts at a distance Ld from the second end40of the paper tube36. The value of the distance Ld is bigger than the value of the length L32of the paper tube36and thus of the paper drinking straw35above the oblique cut. The impregnated region38thus only comprises a part of the bevelled tip37. In general, also only a part of the cutting edge may be impregnated.

FIG.3Eillustrates a fifth embodiment of a paper drinking straw62comprising a paper tube63with a bevelled tip64at the first end65of the paper tube63. The paper tube63may be one ofFIG.1B/1C or ofFIG.2B/2C or another suitable paper tube. The total length L31, the length L32and the distance L33correspond to those of the first embodiment as depicted inFIG.3A.

A region66in that the bevelled tip64has been impregnated with the impregnation agent is indicated by oblique hatching. This impregnated region66starts at a distance Le2from the second end67of the paper tube63. The value of the distance Le2is smaller than the value of the length L32of the paper tube63. The impregnated region66thus comprises the bevelled tip64and another part of the paper tube63.

Moreover, a first impregnated region68starting from the second end67of the paper tube63and extending towards the first end65of the paper tube63for a length Le1is impregnated with the impregnation agent.

FIG.3Fillustrates a sixth embodiment of a paper drinking straw69comprising a paper tube70with a bevelled tip71at a first end72of the paper tube70. Also here, the paper tube70may be one ofFIG.1B/1C or ofFIG.2B/2C or another suitable paper tube. The total length L31, the length L32and the distance L33correspond to those of the first embodiment as depicted inFIG.3A.

A region73in that part of the bevelled tip71has been impregnated with impregnation agent is indicated by oblique hatching. This region73extends in a distance hf parallel to the cutting edge of the bevelled tip71. The region73may also be not parallel to the cutting edge but be inclined to it (not shown).

Moreover, a first impregnated region74starting from the second end75of the paper tube70and extending towards the first end72of the paper tube70for a length Lf1is impregnated with the impregnation agent. Additionally, a second impregnated region76starting at a distance Lf2from the second end75of the paper tube70and extending as an annular ring towards the first end72of the paper tube70is impregnated with the impregnation agent. The annular ring extends between a distance Lf2and a distance Lf3form the second end75of the paper tube70.

FIG.3Gillustrates a seventh embodiment of a paper drinking straw77comprising a paper tube78with a bevelled tip79at the first end80of the paper tube78that also may be one ofFIG.1B/1C or ofFIG.2B/2C or another suitable paper tube. The total length L31, the length L32and the distance L33correspond to those of the first embodiment as depicted inFIG.3A.

A first impregnated region81starting from the second end82of the paper tube78and extending towards the first end80of the paper tube78for a length Lg1is impregnated with the impregnation agent.

FIG.4illustrates a cross section of a paper drinking straw comprising three paper layers, e.g., a cross section along A-A as shown inFIG.3B. A first paper layer41represents the outer layer, a second paper layer42the core paper layer, and a third paper layer43the inner layer. The outer surface44of the first paper layer41has been impregnated with impregnation agent and the impregnation agent also has penetrated partly into pores and spaces between fibres of the paper; this penetration region has been indicated with the reference sign45.

The inner surface46of the third paper layer43also has been impregnated with impregnation agent and the impregnation agent has penetrated partly into pores and spaces between fibres of the paper; this penetration region has been indicated with the reference sign47.

FIG.5Aillustrates an inclined view from above on a beverage container48with an inserted paper drinking straw49of the second embodiment. On the top side50of the beverage container48a penetration opening51is provided that is closed with a foil or the like before the bevelled tip52of the paper drinking straw49penetrates the penetration opening51. A region53of the bevelled tip52and part of the paper tube54is impregnated with an impregnation agent.

FIG.5Billustrates an inclined view from above of a foil bag55with an inserted paper drinking straw49of the second embodiment. On one bag side56of the foil bag55a penetration opening57is provided that is closed with a foil or the like before the bevelled tip52of the paper drinking straw49penetrates the penetration opening57. The paper drinking straw49corresponds to the one ofFIG.5A.

FIG.5Cillustrates an inclined view from the top on the beverage container48with an inserted paper drinking straw62of the fifth embodiment. On the top side50of the beverage container48a penetration opening51is provided that is closed with a foil or the like before the bevelled tip64of the paper drinking straw62penetrates the penetration opening51. The region66of the bevelled tip64and part of the paper tube63are impregnated with the impregnation agent. Additionally, the first region68extending from the second end67of the paper tube63in direction to the first end65is impregnated with the impregnation agent.

FIG.5Dillustrates an inclined view from the top on the foil bag55with an inserted paper drinking straw69of the sixth embodiment. On one bag side56of the foil bag55a penetration opening57is provided that is closed with a foil or the like before the bevelled tip71of the paper drinking straw69penetrates the penetration opening57. The region73of the bevelled tip71and part of the paper tube70are impregnated with an impregnation agent. Additionally, the first region74extending from the second end75of the paper tube70in direction to the first end72is impregnated with the impregnation agent. Moreover, the second region76being an annular ring extending at some distance from the second end75in direction to the first end72is impregnated with the impregnation agent.

FIG.5Eillustrates an inclined view from the top on the beverage carton48with inserted paper drinking straw77of the seventh embodiment. On the top side50of the beverage container48the penetration opening51is provided that is closed with a foil or the like before the bevelled tip79of the paper drinking straw77penetrates the penetration opening51. The first region81extending from the second end82of the paper tube78in direction to the first end80is impregnated with the impregnation agent. Other parts of the paper tube78are not impregnated with the impregnation agent.

The following figures disclose embodiments being related to paper drinking straws comprising two straight end.

FIG.6illustrates an inclined view from below on a paper drinking straw83before impregnating comprising a paper tube87with horizontal winding, and two straight ends84,85, also called first end84and second end85. The paper drinking straw83might have been cut from an endless paper tube, wherein the endless paper tube has been produced by horizontal winding of at least one paper layer. The cutting edge86of the first end84is visible inFIG.6. The second end85also comprises a cutting edge that is not visible inFIG.6. The paper tube87of the paper drinking straw83comprises a connection edge86, where edges of the at least one paper layer firmly adjoin and that extends in a longitudinal direction. The paper tube87, and thus the paper drinking straw83comprise an inner surface89pointing to the interior of the paper tube87/paper drinking straw83, and an outer surface90pointing to the exterior of the paper tube87/paper drinking straw83.

For the depicted paper drinking straw, at least one impregnated region of the paper tube87may be impregnated with an impregnation agent and at least one region of the paper tube87may not be impregnated with the impregnation agent.

FIG.7illustrates an inclined view from below on a paper drinking straw91before impregnating comprising a paper tube95with helically winding, and two straight ends92,93, also called first end92and second end93. The paper drinking straw91might have been cut from an endless paper tube, wherein the endless paper tube has been produced by helically winding of at least one paper layer. The cutting edge94of the first end92is visible inFIG.7. The second end93also comprises a cutting edge that is not visible inFIG.7. The paper tube95of the paper drinking straw91comprises a connection edge96where edges of the at least one paper layer firmly adjoin and that extends helically as depicted. The paper tube95, and thus the paper drinking straw91comprise an inner surface97pointing to the interior of the paper tube95/paper drinking straw91, and an outer surface98pointing to the exterior of the paper tube95/paper drinking straw91.

For the depicted paper drinking straw, at least one impregnated region of the paper tube95may be impregnated with an impregnation agent and at least one region of the paper tube95may not be impregnated with the impregnation agent.

FIGS.8A,8B,8C,8Dillustrate schematically different embodiments of paper drinking straws with two straight first end where different parts are impregnated with an impregnating agent.

InFIG.8A, the paper drinking straw99comprises an impregnated region103(“third impregnated region” in the chapter “Solution” and in the claims) starting form the first end100of the paper tube102and extending towards the second end101of the paper tube102. The paper drinking straw99has a total length L61. The impregnated region103starts form the first end100and extends towards the second end101for a first length L62, and is impregnated with the impregnation agent. Along a remaining length L63, the region104of the paper tube102extends that is not impregnated with the impregnation agent.

InFIG.8B, the paper drinking straw105comprises three impregnated regions109,110,111that are impregnated with the impregnation agent and two regions112,113that are not impregnated. The paper drinking straw105has a total length L71.

The first impregnated region111starts from the second end107of the paper tube108and extends towards the first end106of the paper tube108for a first length L73and is impregnated with the impregnation agent.

The second impregnated region110starts at a distance L74from the second end107of the paper tube105and extends as an annular ring towards the first end106of the paper tube108and is impregnated with the impregnation agent. The annular ring extends between a distance L74and a distance L75form the second end107of the paper tube108.

The third impregnated region109starts form the first end106of the paper tube108and extends towards the second end107of the paper tube108for a third length L72, and is impregnated with the impregnation agent.

Between the first impregnated region111and the second impregnated region110, a first region113extends that is not impregnated with the impregnation agent, and between the second impregnated region110and the third impregnated region109, a second region112extends that is not impregnated with the impregnation agent.

InFIG.8C, the paper drinking straw114comprises two impregnated regions118,119that are impregnated with the impregnation agent and one region120that is not impregnated. The paper drinking straw114has a total length L81.

The first impregnated region118starts from the second end116of the paper tube117and extends towards the first end115of the paper tube117for a first length L83and is impregnated with the impregnation agent.

The other impregnated region119(“third impregnated region” in the chapter “Solution” and in the claims) starts form the first end115of the paper tube117and extends towards the second end116of the paper tube117for a second length L82, and is impregnated with the impregnation agent.

Between the two impregnated regions118,119, the one region120extends that is not impregnated with the impregnation agent.

InFIG.8D, the paper drinking straw121with a total length L91comprises an impregnated region125(“first impregnated region” in the chapter “Solution” and in the claims) starting from the second end123of the paper tube124and extending towards the first end122of the paper tube124for a first length L92and being impregnated with the impregnation agent. Along a remaining length L93towards the first end122, the region126of the paper tube124extends that is not impregnated with the impregnation agent.

FIG.9Aillustrates an inclined view from above on the beverage carton48with the inserted paper drinking straw114ofFIG.8Ccomprising to two straight ends115,116, and the two impregnated regions118,119as mentioned above.

FIG.9Billustrates an inclined view from above on the foil bag55with the inserted paper drinking straw105ofFIG.8Bcomprising to two straight ends106,107, and the three impregnated regions109,110,111as mentioned above.