Abstract:
A fluid drinking system utilizes a straw member with a central, tubular straw element with a flexible mouthpiece, connected to multiple tubular straw elements which extend and branch out from the central straw element. Upon application of a suction force, i.e. sucking action, to any of the distal open ends of the straw elements, fluid flows through the open passages of the elements which are interconnecting and open to each other. The drinking system also includes a container with partitioned, compartmentalized sections, with each section being configured to hold a different consumable fluid or pureed food. The straw elements of the straw member are inserted into and positioned within different compartments of the container. When so positioned, there may be simultaneous, multi-fluid consumption. When the central straw element of the straw member is inserted into any fluid carrying container, multiple users may drink fluid from the container simultaneously.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/868,524, filed on Dec. 4, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to straws for drinking fluid and, in particular, to a unique drinking system which permits the flow of two fluids from a centralized container or the use of a single straw element by multiple users simultaneously. Previous straw/container systems have included beverage containers with extendable drinking straws and straw accessible compartment containers. However, these are limited in that they do not involve integral multi-straw devices for the consumption of more than one fluid at a time or the ability to permit simultaneous fluid consumption through a straw member by two or more individuals. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid drinking system which is flexible and versatile for a variety of different uses and applications. 
         [0004]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a fluid drinking system which employs a unique, simple straw element which allows for the flow of two or more fluids from a centralized container. 
         [0005]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a fluid drinking system which provides a unique, single straw element which simultaneously permits multi-fluid consumption. 
         [0006]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fluid drinking system which provides a means for drinking or sampling more than one beverage, pureed food, and/or medication at a time, in any combination of consumption. 
         [0007]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a fluid drinking system which provides a unique, single straw element which can be used by more than one individual at the same time, to drink a common fluid in a single container. 
         [0008]    These and other objects are accomplished by the present invention, a fluid drinking system which utilizes a straw member with a central, tubular, straw element with a flexible mouthpiece, connected to multiple tubular straw elements which extend and branch out from the central straw element. Upon application of a suction force, i.e. sucking action, to any of the distal open ends of the straw elements, fluid flows through the open passages of the elements which are interconnecting and open to each other. The drinking system also includes a container with partitioned, compartmentalized sections, with each section being configured to hold a different consumable fluid or pureed food. The straw elements of the straw member are inserted into and positioned within different compartments of the container. When so positioned, there may be simultaneous, multi-fluid consumption. When the central straw element of the straw member is inserted into any fluid carrying container, multiple users may drink fluid from the container simultaneously. 
         [0009]    The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the fluid drinking system of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the fluid drinking system of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the fluid drinking system of the present invention in an alternate use mode. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the fluid drinking system of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the second embodiment of the fluid drinking system of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the second embodiment of the fluid drinking system of the present invention in an alternate use mode. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The fluid drinking system  10  of the present invention comprises straw member  12  having central tubular straw element  12   a  with drinking section  12   d  having opening  12   b  and flexible joint  12   c.  Straw element  12   a  has open passage  12   p  therethrough, similar to commonly known straws; however, this passage interconnects with and opens into passages  12   g  and  12   h  located within outwardly extending branch tubular straw elements  12   e  and  12   f.  Drinking section  12   i  with opening shown at  12   j  and flexible joint  12   k  are located at the end of straw element  12   e  and drinking section  12   m,  with opening shown at  12   n  and flexible joint  12   q  are located at the end of straw element  12   f.  Flexible joints  12   r  and  12   s  are also located on straw elements  12   e  and  12   f  respectively, to provide added flexibility to the system. 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , container  14  is provided as part of fluid drinking system  10 . Container  14  is shown as being circular in configuration, but the invention is not to be considered restricted to this shaped container. Any conveniently shaped container, e.g. rectangular, square, oval, or like configuration can be used. Container  14  comprises partition  14   a  separating the container into fluid tight compartments  14   b  and  14   c.  In the FIGS., partition  14   a  is shown as being transparent. 
         [0018]    To consume two fluids at the same time, one type of fluid  16   a  is poured into compartment  14   b  and a second fluid  16   b  is poured into compartment  14   c.  The fluids can be beverages, soups, pureed foods, elixir medications or the like. Straw member  12  is then inserted into container  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , with straw element  12   e  positioned in compartment  14   b  and straw element  12   f  positioned in component  14   c.  By applying suction force, i.e. sucking, through opening  12   b  of drinking section  12   d,  fluid  16   a  is sucked through opening  12   j  into passage  12   g  of straw element  12   e  and fluid  16   b  is sucked through opening  12   n  into passage  12   h  of straw element  12   f.  Fluids  16   a  and  16   b  mix within passage  12   p  of straw element  12   a,  before flowing out of opening  12   b  where it is consumed. 
         [0019]      FIG. 3  shows straw member  12  positioned for simultaneous use by two individuals, with straw element  12   a  positioned in fluid  17  within container  18 . It can be appreciated that upon suction being applied to drinking sections  12   i  of straw element  12   e  and  12   m  of straw element  12   f,  two drinkers can consume fluid at the same time. 
         [0020]      FIGS. 4-6  show a second embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is similar to that which is described above, except straw member  13  has three branched straw elements,  13   e,    13   f,  and  13   r.  Straw member  13  has central tubular straw element  13   a  with drinking section  13   d  having opening  13   b  and flexible joint  13   c.  Straw element  13   a  has an open passage  13   p  therethrough; however, this passage interconnects with and opens into passages  13   g,    13   h,  and  13   s  located within outwardly extending branch tubular straw elements  13   e,    13   f  and  13   r.  Drinking section  13   i,  with opening shown at  13   j  and flexible joint  13   k  are located at the end of straw element  13   e,  drinking section  13   m  with opening shown at  13   n  and flexible joint  13   q  are located at the end of straw element  13   f,  and drinking section  13   t,  with opening shown at  13   u  and flexible joint  13   v  are located at the end of straw element  13   r.  Flexible joint elements  13   w,    13   x,  and  13   y  are also located on straw elements  13   e,    13   f,  and  13   r  respectively, to provide added flexibility to this embodiment of the system. 
         [0021]    Container  15  is provided as being circular in configuration, but, as with the shape of container  14  in the previous embodiment, other container shapes can be used. Container  15  comprises partition  15   a,  separating the container into three compartments,  15   b,    15   c  and  15   d.  Again, partition  15   a  is shown as being transparent. 
         [0022]    Three different fluids  17   a,    17   b  and  17   c  are poured into compartments  15   b,    15   c  and  15   d  and these fluids can be consumed by positioning straw member  13  into container  15 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , with straw element  13   e  placed into compartment  15   d,  straw element  13   f  placed into compartment  15   b,  and straw element  13   r  placed into compartment  15   c,  and then applying suction/sucking force through opening  13   b  of drinking section  13   d.  Fluid is then drawn through straw member  13  in the same manner as has been described with regard to the system involving straw member  12 . Ultimately, fluids  17   a,    17   b  and  17   c  mix within passage  13   p  of straw element  13   a,  before flowing out of opening  13   b  for consumption. 
         [0023]      FIG. 6  shows straw member  13  positioned for simultaneous use by three individuals, with straw element  13   a  positioned in fluid  17  within container  18 . It can be appreciated, as with the previously described embodiment, that upon suction being applied to drinking sections  13   i  of straw element  13   e,    13   m  of straw element  13   f,  and  13   t  of straw element  13   r,  three drinkers can consume fluid at the same time. 
         [0024]    By using their flexible drinking sections, straw members  12  and  13  can easily be shaped to allow their respective straw elements to be readily placed into the compartments of containers  14 ,  15  and  18 , as desired by the user. Drinking comfort and user flexibility is thus successfully accomplished. 
         [0025]    While the embodiments of this invention show straw members  12  and  13  with two and three tubular branching straw elements and containers  14  and  15  with two and three components, this invention should not be considered restricted to these configurations. It is contemplated that any convenient number of straw elements used in conjunction with a corresponding number of compartmentalize containers can be used. 
         [0026]    It is contemplated that materials for the straw members would consist of plastic (especially polystyrene), similar to the consistency of commonly available straws. Other consistencies of the straw member could include candy or glass. Size variations would range from miniature straw members, which could be used with proportionally small drinking devices (e.g. for children size drinks or to dispense elixir medications with other drinking fluids) to standard and large size straw lengths and widths. The exact size dimensions would vary and be based on the size and design of the drinking container. Shape variations in either the straw member or its straw elements of the double/triple straw member could include “crazy” straws consisting of a number of twists and turns in the top half of the straws, and spoon features consisting of a cut-away shape at any of the straw ends (i.e. to allow the straw member to function as a miniature spoon, e.g. when consuming pureed foods or slush drinks in the drinking device). Various colorants can be added to the plastic to give the straw members aesthetically pleasing appearances. The use of thermoliquid crystal technology, which consists of a special colorant that responds to changes in temperature, may be applied to any of the components of the straw member (e.g. to allow for color changes in the straw member when it comes in contact with a hot or cold liquid). 
         [0027]    The containers of the invention are preferably made of plastic (e.g. cups, thermoses), glass, and of multi-layers of papers, polyethylene, and aluminum foil (i.e. similar to juice box devices). Regarding the exterior shape of the containers, as previously discussed, cylindrical, square-shaped, triangular or equivalent shapes could be design possibilities. Types of drinking glasses would include the following: beer mug, brandy snifter, champagne flute, cocktail glass, coffee mug, Collins glass, cordial glass, highball glass, hurricane glass, margarita/coupette glass, mason jar, old-fashioned glass, parfait glass, Pousse cafe glass, punch bowl, red wine glass, sherry glass, shot glass, Whiskey sour glass, and white wine glass. 
         [0028]    The internal design of the containers, with regard to the relationship between the longitudinal partitions and the points where both ends of the partitions attach to the internal border of the containers, would vary depending on several factors. For example, designing the shape of the partition may be decided based on an aesthetic choice, and may include a partition which is shaped straight, curved, angulated (e.g. zigzag formation) or with any combination of these shapes. Also, in the process of producing a given container, there is variability as to where the longitudinal partition can be placed. For example, the partition does not have to be placed in the exact center so that there are necessarily two equally divided compartment areas. Rather, the partition can be placed from one end of the container to another so that one or more of the partitioned areas is larger than the other (e.g. ¾ vs. ¼ in the case of the double partitioned container; or ⅔ vs. ⅙+⅙ in the case of a triple partitioned container). The ability to vary the placement of the partition and hence the size of the compartmentalized areas themselves allows for flexibility in choosing (e.g. on the part of the user of the invention) or designing (e.g. on the part of the manufacturer) different amounts of drinkable fluids, as they travel into the straw elements. By doing so, and with variations in the width of the straw elements, the final concentration of the two or more combined drinkable fluids is determined as the fluids reach the central straw elements. The containers may be designed with either an immobile partition (e.g. in the case of glass containers drinking devices) or mobile partition (e.g. in the case of plastic containers). 
         [0029]    While the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. This invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure, the drawings and the claims.