Method for making a straw for sucking beverages

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for making a straw, for sucking beverages in general, the straw being provided with a plurality of adjoining sucking small channels (2) and with longitudinal stiffening and reinforc­ ing diaphgrams (10). The method essentially comprises the steps of extruding a suitable plastics material through a die having a plurality of extruding channels so spaced as to being adapted to form a corresponding plurality of liquid sucking channels. Downstream of the extruding machine a cutting device (6) is arranged which operates transversely with respect to the extruding direction, the cutting device being optionally followed by printing cylinders.

Description: The present invention relates to a method for making an improved structure beverage sucking straw according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to the straw according to the preamble of claim 6, made by the subject making method. As is known, drinks and beverages in general, particularly if they are contained in bottles, cans and the like, can advantageously be sucked by means of a straw member. Also known is the fact that conventional sucking straw usually consist of a plastics material straw element, possibly provided with a bendable top portion. On the other hand, known straws afford the possibility of sucking only a very small amount or flow of beverage and the user, in order to meet his/her thirst requirements is compelled to suck the beverage with quick subsequent sucking operations. Straws have been also designed able of providing a rather great flow rate :however these high flow rate straws are rather complex construction-wise and the making thereof is based on the use of a lot of cascade arranged machines as well as on very complex and expensive finishing steps. Thus, these high flow rate straws have a comparatively high cost which negatively affects a broad diffusion thereof on the market. The document GB-A-2 173 686 discloses a method for making a beverage sucking straw having all of the features of the pre-characterizing part of the main claim. This document also discloses a straw having the features of the pre-characterizing part of claim 6. The document US-A-3 456 344 discloses a straw practically formed by two straws which are coupled by an intermediate separating wall: the straw of this reference has the drawback that it can not be easily printed on its outer surface since the intermediate separating wall is recessed with respect to the side end portions of the straw. Another drawback of the straw of this reference is that the central recessing separated wall, which separates the two straws forming the straw, prevents the used lips from perfectly adhering to the outer surface of the straw, so as to provide a not perfect suction by the user, and, moreover, the straw has not a transversal compression strength adapted to provide the straw with resistance against the application of a printing roller or cylinder, since this straw does not comprise any stiffening inner wall construction. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly the task of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks by providing a method for making straws which affords the possibility of making, in a simple and reliable way, an improved structure beverage sucking straw having an increased flow rate with respect to conventional sucking straws. Within the scope of the above mentioned task, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a beverage sucking straw which is able of greatly facilitating the beverage sucking operation. Another object of the present invention is to provide such a straw making method which affords the possibility of making low cost high flow rate sucking straws. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a sucking straw making method the operating steps whereof can be carried out by conventional extruding machine, by simply modifying the dies of said machine. According to one aspect of the present invention the above mentioned task and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a method for making an improved structure beverage sucking straw, having the features of the main claim. According to a further aspect of the invention the objects are achieved by a straw having the features of claim 6. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics and advantages of the beverage sucking straw making method according to the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed description of a preferred through not exclusive embodiment of the method itself, with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings, in which: figure 1 schematically illustrates a suitable sucking straw extruding machine therewith there are associated a straw cutting device and an optional straw printing device, of any suitable type; and figures 2 to 5 are partial view illustrating several beverage sucking straws which can be made by the method according to the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the above mentioned figures of the accompanying drawings, the method for making improved structure beverage sucking straws according to the present invention essentially provides for the use of an extruding machine, generally indicated at the reference number 1, on the extruding head of which there is mounted a suitable extruding die adapted to form a plurality of adjoining small channels 2, said small channels jointly defining a perimetrical closed continuous line 3 in turn defining an elongated profile shape. The extruding machine will be supplied with a plastics material suitable for food packages which, depending on requirements, can be either transparent, translucid or colored. Downstream of the extruding head there are provided roller conveyors 4 for slidingly displacing the extruded material or product 5, so as to cause said extruded material to suitable cool and stiffen. Downstream of the mentioned roller conveyors there is arranged a cutting device, indicated overally at the reference number 6, adapted to cut the extruded material in suitable lengths, corresponding to the lengths of the composite structure straws. Upstream of the cutting device, moreover, a printing apparatus 8 can be advantageously arranged, of any suitable type, adapted to print on one or both faces 9 of the extruded material, wordings and/or patterns for advertising or decorative purposes. In this connection it should be pointed out that the thus made straws 7 will have a flattened configuration and, accordingly, they will be provided with two substantially flat opposite surfaces. Thus, the printing surfaces will be rather large, thereby immediately visible patterns can be printed thereon. It should moreover by pointed out that of the mentioned small channels 2 the innermost channels are preferably defined by parallel longitudinal diaphgrams which are formed perpendicularly to the two main surfaces of the straws, the two small channels arranged at the ends of each straw being delimited, on the outside, by the corresponding side walls of the straw. More specifically, in the straw illustrated in figure 2, the outermost small channels are defined by a substantially semicircular side wall 11, whereas, in the straw shown in figure 5, those same outermost small channels are defined, on three sides thereof, by a surface 12 the cross-section of which has an acute angle shape. The straw being shown in figure 3, in turn, has square or rectangular cross-section small channels the channel cross-section being defined, laterally, by small walls 13 perpendicular to the two main surfaces of the small channels. In figure 4, vice versa, there is illustrated a portion of a straw the small channels 2 of which are defined by a sinuous surface 14 which is tangent to the main surfaces of said straw. In each case, the profile or contour of the straw is designed to fit in the best way the lip contour so as to prevent air from being sucked in together with the beverage. An important feature of the method according to the present invention is that, for making the straws, there are used conventional extruding machines which are adapted to the subject method by simply replacing the extruding die. In particular, the above mentioned longitudinal diaphragms, or inner ribs, 10, are made with a thickness adapted to provide said ribs with a double practical function. More specifically, the mentioned ribs will have a strength sufficient to resist against the pressure of the printing operation, one one or both faces of the straw, and, in the meanwhile, said ribs will be sufficiently flexible to allow for the straw profile to perfectly mate with the lips of the user. From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the inventive method fully achieves the intended task and objects. While the invention has been disclosed with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the disclosed embodiment is susceptible to several modifications and variations all of which will come within its scope as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims: A method for making an improved structure beverage sucking straw, comprising a step of extruding a food plastic material through an extruding die, by means of an extruding machine (1) and a step of cutting therefrom an extruded product (5) having a flat tubular body in which there are defined a plurality of joining channels (2) which longitudinally extend and two substantially flat major surface opposite faces (9) with a plurality of longitudinal diaphgrams (10) arranged transversely with respect to said two opposite faces (9), characterized in that in said extruding step, by means of said extruding die, to said product (5) there is imparted a contour with a cross-section delimited by a closed line (3). A method, according to Claim 1, characterized in that, in said extruding step, said extruding machine (1) is supplied with a transparent food plastic material. A method, according to Claim 1, characterized in that, in said extruding step, said extruding machine (1) is supplied with a translucid food plastic material. A method, according to Claim 1, characterized in that, in said extruding step, said extruding machine (1) is supplied with a colored food plastic material. A method, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, downstream of said extruding machine, there are provided roller conveyors (4) for conveying said extruded product (5) and that said method further comprises a printing operation which is performed by printing wordings or patterns on one of said opposite faces or on both said opposite faces (9). A straw, made by a method according to one or more of the preceding claims, said straw including a straw body (7) having an elongated and flat configuration with two major surface substantially flat opposite faces (9) and with a plurality of channels (2) adjoining one another transversely of the extension of said straw body (7), said channels being separated from one another by a plurality of longitudinal diaphgrams (10) arranged transversely of said two opposite faces (9), characterized in that said body (7) has, in cross-section, a contour delimited by a closed perimetral line (3). A straw, according to Claim 6, characterized in that the two end channels (2) of said plurality of channels are delimited, on the outer side thereof, by the corresponding side walls of the straw body (7). A straw, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said diaphgrams (10) are substantially perpendicular to said opposite faces (9). A straw, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in said straw body (7), said end channels are delimited by a side wall (11) of substantially semicircular configuration. A straw, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said end channels (2) are defined, on free sides, by a surface (12) having, in cross-section, the contour of an acute angle arch. A straw, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said end channels (2) have a square or rectangular cross-section delimited laterally by walls (13) perpendicular to said two opposite faces (9), said walls cooperating for forming said end channels (2). A straw, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said channels (2) are defined by a sinuous surface (14) tangent to said two opposite faces (9).

Inventors: LEONE MARCELLO, LEONE, MARCELLO
Applicants: PLASTIC TUBE ASSEMBLY SRL, PLASTIC TUBE ASSEMBLY S.R.L.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B29C47
IPC codes: A47G21, B29C47, B29C69