Abstract:
A perforated straw having a tubular body, which is sealed at one end. The straw has perforations in the body near the lower sealed end. These perforations allow for fluid to pass into the straw while preventing the passage of solids present in the beverage. The size and configuration of the perforations determines which, if any, solids pass through the straw and which remain within the beverage container.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to the field of beverages and devices for the consumption thereof.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Plastic disposable straws have been widely used for years to consume a wide variety of beverages. Plastic disposable straws facilitate the drinking of a beverage by acting as a conduit for the liquids to flow through the tubular segment and into the mouth. This promotes hygiene by allowing the consumer to drink the beverage without having to touch the container with his or her mouth. Plastic disposable straws also allow users to consume beverages while closed with a lid, resulting in less possibility of spills and messes.  
         [0003]     As with all disposable products, it is extremely important that plastic disposable straws be cost effective. The cost per unit for a straw is often less than a penny, thus making it of little economic consequence to the user and/or provider and therefore making economically feasible to use as a disposable item.  
         [0004]     Modifications have been made to disposable straws such as diameter changes to allow for thicker liquids to pass through unhindered. Other small changes have included bendable necks, or corrugated joints, (e.g. U-straws, Z-straws, etc.) to allow for the top portion of the straw to bend. The bendable neck allows the consumer to drink the beverage at a variety of angles. It also permits longer straws to be packaged in a more compact manner.  
         [0005]     Beverages may contain non-liquid components such as pieces of fruit and/or fruit pulp, tea leaves, seasonings, etc. Such non-liquid components may add flavour to the beverage, may enhance the appearance of the drink, or may simply be a by-product of the drink preparation (e.g. fruit pulp, tea leaves). Disposable straws allow any such items in the beverage that are smaller than the straw diameter to flow through the straw and into the consumer&#39;s mouth. Straws do not discriminate between what is to be consumed and what is to remain in the beverage container. Furthermore, such objects may become lodged against the opening of the straw or within the straw itself, thereby plugging the straw.  
         [0006]     Several modifications to the basic straw design are known in the art. For example, spoon straws can be used as both a spoon and a straw. Many straws are made with thickened walls and an angled tip to facilitate the piercing of packaging. However, such modifications provide no advantage with respect to the consumption of beverages containing solids.  
         [0007]     A further modification is disclosed by Manning in U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,681, issued Feb. 17, 1998, in which is disclosed a straw for use in the delivery of medication. Medication is placed inside Manning&#39;s straw, which has a particle barrier inside that prevents escape of the medication. When in use, fluid is drawn in through the lower end of the straw, in the process dissolving the medication and carrying it to the user&#39;s mouth. When used to consume beverages containing solid particles or objects, Manning&#39;s straw is even more susceptible to becoming plugged than simple disposable straws. For example, the straw is easily plugged by fruit pulp in fruit juices. This is because the particle barrier of Manning acts as a screen inside the straw. As fluid flows into the Manning straw, particles that would not normally plug a simple straw are carried with it and trapped against the particle barrier. However, as these particles build up, the flow through the straw is increasingly restricted until it is completely obstructed.  
         [0008]     The prior art further contemplates several straw designs incorporating filters for filtering impurities from fluids as they are consumed. As with the Manning straw, these filter straws are more susceptible to becoming plugged than are regular straws because the filters act to trap solids. Furthermore, the filter component significantly increases the cost of the straw, thereby making it unsuitable or impractical for use as a disposable straw.  
         [0009]     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a straw that permits consumption of a beverage without taking up objects found in the beverage. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a straw that will not be plugged.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The perforated straw has a tubular body, which is sealed at one end. It has perforations in the body near the lower sealed end thereof. These perforations allow for fluid to pass into and through the straw while preventing the passage of solids present in the beverage. The size and configuration of the perforations determines which, if any, solids pass through the straw and which remain within the container.  
         [0011]     Unlike conventional straws, the perforated straw is not clogged by solids, such as fruit pulp, tea leaves, or seasonings, present in many beverages. By using the perforated straw, beverages containing such non-liquid materials, which contribute to the taste and/or appearance of the beverage, can be consumed without difficulty.  
         [0012]     Conventional straws are often plugged by solids because the solids become lodged in the opening at the lower end of the straw. Such solids often tend to concentrate at the bottom of the beverage container. Therefore, in the present invention placement of the perforations on the side of the body of the perforated straw means that they are generally above the solids. In addition, the larger the number of perforations or the more the perforations are dispersed about the circumference of the straw the less fluid flows through any given perforation or portion thereof. In other words, the fluid flow through any given perforation is less than that through the lower end of a conventional straw. Therefore, as the flow is less concentrated there is less force to draw the solids toward the perforation. The solids are therefore less likely to be drawn towards the perforation and less likely to plug it. Even if a solid is drawn toward a perforation such that the perforation becomes blocked, fluid will continue to enter the straw through the remaining perforations. If there is only one perforation on the straw it will preferably have an elongated shape such that if one part of the perforation becomes occluded by a solid particle present in the beverage, fluid can continue to pass through another part thereof. Once the user stops applying suction to the straw, any solids drawn toward the perforations by the fluid flow will fall or drift away. This is in marked contrast to conventional straws where solids are more likely to be drawn into the opening at the bottom of the straw by the higher rate of flow. Since the opening of a convention straw is generally at or near the bottom of the beverage container, such solids do not fall or drift away from the opening.  
         [0013]     The invention additionally contemplates methods for manufacturing perforated straws. In the first method, two additional steps are incorporated into known methods for manufacturing conventional straws. In the second method, finished conventional straws are adapted to perforated straws.  
         [0014]     Conventional straws are generally manufactured from a continuous tube of plastic, which is cut at intervals to produce straws of a desired length. In the first step of the first method the tube is perforated to create the perforations. In the second step, an end of the tube is sealed. The first step need not be carried out before the second step.  
         [0015]     In the second method, ready to use conventional straws are modified to make perforated straws. In the first step of this method one end of the straw is sealed. In the second step the body of the straw is perforated to create perforations. The first step need not be performed before the second step. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     Further features and advantages will be apparent from the following Detailed Description of the Invention, given by way of example, of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1A  is a front view of the disposable perforated straw; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of the disposable perforated straw. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]     Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , in the preferred embodiment the perforated straw  10  consists of a plastic tubular body  20  having an upper end  30  and a lower end  40 . The lower terminus  50  of the straw  10  is sealed. On the lower end  40  near the lower terminus  50  are a plurality of slits or perforations  60 .  
         [0020]     When in use, a user applies suction to the upper end  30  of the straw  10  causing fluid to enter the lower end  40  through the perforations  60 . The perforations  60  prevent solid contents of the beverage from entering the straw  10  while allowing fluid to enter. In contrast to the straw disclosed by Manning in U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,681, the perforations  60  are on the outside of the body  20 . Therefore, there is no point at which solids can accumulate and, therefore, the straw  10  is not susceptible to becoming plugged.  
         [0021]     The disposable perforated straw  10  can generally be made from the same materials as other disposable straws. This will typically be some variety of plastic. It is important that the material used be suitable for use with food (e.g. non-toxic). It is also desirable that the material be relatively affordable so that the product can be manufactured and sold as a disposable item.  
         [0022]     In the preferred embodiment, the lower terminus  50  is heat sealed during the straw manufacturing process, however, any suitable means may be used to seal the straw  10 . For example, the lower terminus  50  may be sealed by insertion of a plug. In the embodiment disclosed in the Figures the body  20  is tapered inwards toward the lower terminus  50 , however, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the tapering has no bearing on the functionality of the straw  10 . The inward tapering is a characteristic of the heat sealing process when the lower terminus  50  is pressed between two flat surfaces and heat is applied. Depending on the means used to seal the lower terminus  50  such tapering may or may not occur.  
         [0023]     It is contemplated that the perforations  60  will generally have a width of approximately 1 mm to 5 mm, however, the perforations are not limited to this range since their exact size will be determined by the nature of the beverage and the solids contained therein. In the preferred embodiment the perforations  60  have a narrow elongated shape, however, it will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art that a variety of configurations may be used. In addition, the number of perforations may be varied depending upon the nature of the beverage it is used for. For beverages with larger solids, smaller number of larger perforations may be appropriate. For smaller, finer solids on the other hand, a greater number of smaller perforations may be necessary. Alternatively, the shape of the perforations  60  may be varied. For smaller, finer solids, long narrow perforations  60  may be used. In one possible embodiment the straw  10  would have only one elongated perforation extending about the body  20  in a helical fashion.  
         [0024]     The placement of the perforations  60  may also be varied. If the nature of the solids in the beverage are such that they tend to collect at the bottom of the beverage container the perforations can be place higher on the body  20  of the straw  10 .  
         [0025]     The dimensions of the straw  10 , such as length, diameter, and cross-sectional shape, can be varied depending on the nature of the intended use. For example, for thicker beverages, a straw having a large diameter would be appropriate. If the straw is intended to be used to consume beverages from tall containers then a longer straw would be appropriate.  
         [0026]     The present invention additionally contemplates a method of manufacturing the perforated straw  10 . Disposable straws are generally manufactured as long tubes of plastic that are cut at desired intervals to produce individual straws. The present perforated straws  10  are generally manufactured in the same manner as conventional straws, however, two more steps are required in the manufacturing process. First, the perforations  60  must be made by cutting or perforating the body  20  of the straw  10 . This step may be performed before or after the long tube is cut into individual straws. Secondly, the end of the straw must be sealed. This step may be performed before or after the perforations  60  are made.  
         [0027]     The method of making the perforated straw  10  additionally contemplates a method of manufacture whereby ready-for-use conventional straws are modified by sealing the ends thereof and by cutting or perforating the bodies thereof to make the perforations. This method can be can be carried out by hand or, as with the first method described above, may be automated. For example, using a conventional straw, the perforations can be made by hand by cutting the body of the straw with scissors. And the lower terminus can be sealed by applying heat and pressure such that the material of the straw is heat fused.  
         [0028]     Accordingly, while this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention.