Abstract:
Disclosed are various embodiments of cups and straws for infusing a substance into a liquid during consumption. In one embodiment, the cup includes an elevated platform that comprises a perforated surface and a cavity for a straw. The elevated platform may be positioned in the cup to retain a collection of the substance. When the cup is filled with the liquid, the platform is configured to facilitate the substance dissolving consistently throughout the liquid. In another embodiment, the straw includes a main channel for liquid to flow and a reservoir retaining the substance. As suction is applied to the straw, the various embodiments illustrate methods for the substance to mix with liquid the substance as the liquid flows through the main channel of the straw.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/096,032, entitled “INFUSING BEVERAGE DURING A CONSUMPTION,” filed Dec. 23, 2014, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 101902-1020), filed on Oct. 28, 2015, entitled “DRINKING STRAW WITH A RESERVOIR,” which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Many individuals may sweeten drinks by adding natural honey. Traditionally, honey is poured into a cup and stirred by the individual. Using this method, natural honey and other ingredients may present challenges such as clumping at the bottom of the cup, clogging a straw, and inconsistent sweetening. In some cases, individuals may prefer adding honey to a heated drink to avoid these problems. However, after the drink cools down, the drink may require reheating to prevent the honey from clumping again. After some time of heating, stirring, and reheating, the individual may find these efforts tiresome and still may be unsatisfied with the flavor of their drink. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  shows a drawing of a drinking straw having a reservoir that infuses an ingredient into a beverage during consumption according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the drinking straw  100  of  FIG. 1  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded and disassembled view of the drinking straw  100  of  FIG. 1  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-section view of the drinking straw  100  of  FIG. 1  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  shows a disassembled cross-section view of the drinking straw  100  of  FIG. 1  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  shows an enhanced cross-section view of the drinking straw  100  of  FIG. 1  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  shows another enhanced cross-section view of the drinking straw  100  of  FIG. 1  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  shows an enhanced disassembled cross-section view of the drinking straw  100  of  FIG. 1  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  shows a disassembled cross-section view of the drinking straw  100  of  FIG. 1  having a disc-shaped sweeting agent according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  shows a cross-section view of a perforated disc of the drinking straw  100  of  FIG. 1  for placement of honey or other agent according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 11A-11D  shows embodiments where a reservoir of the drinking straw may be removed independently from tube portions of the drinking straw according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    The present disclosure relates to various methods and systems for mixing a drink with an agent, such as a sweetening, nutritional, or coloring agent, during consumption of the drink. As noted above, natural honey and other sweeteners can be used to sweeten a beverage to the taste of an individual. For example, tea drinkers commonly use natural honey to sweeten their drink. Often times the honey can clump or thicken at the bottom of the cup. This effect can be especially problematic for drinkers using a straw or adding honey to a cold beverage. The clumped honey may clog the straw or may make areas of the bottom of the cup sticky. Hence, tea drinkers generally stir their beverage to keep honey from clumping and/or to help the honey dissolve consistently throughout the beverage. Alternatively or in addition, tea drinkers may prefer to add honey to a heated beverage. In some cases, an individual may resort to reheating and/or persistent stirring to achieve a desired flavor and to keep the above-mentioned challenges from occurring. As such, these methods can be time-consuming and may still result in inconsistent sweetening. 
         [0016]    According to various embodiments described herein, a drinking straw includes a reservoir for storage of an agent that infuses a beverage or other liquid with the agent as it consumed. In some embodiments, the drinking straw includes a reservoir disposed between a first elongated tube portion and a second elongated tube portion. In an example operation of the drinking straw, the second elongated tube portion may be placed into a liquid, such as a beverage. The operator can induce suction using her or her mouth in the first elongated tube portion which causes the liquid to be pulled through the second elongated tube portion into the reservoir. Assuming an agent has been placed in the reservoir, the liquid makes contact with the agent affecting its properties prior to traveling through the first elongated tube portion into the mouth of the operator. In various embodiments, the agent comprises a compound that affects the taste, flavor, color, or nutritional content of the liquid. 
         [0017]    In various embodiments, the components of the drinking straw may be disassembled to facilitate cleaning the drinking straw, such as by placing the individual components in hot and soapy water or in a dishwasher, as well as allowing an operator to remove or insert agents into the interior of the reservoir. In various embodiments, the reservoir may comprise a top portion coupled to the first elongated tube portion and a bottom portion coupled to the second elongated tube portion. Further, the reservoir may comprise a perforated disc disposed between the top portion and the bottom portion to retain an agent while not substantially interfering with the flow of the liquid through the reservoir. In some embodiments, the agent comprises a sweetening agent, such as honey, and the liquid sucked through the drinking straw comprises tea or water. 
         [0018]    In the following discussion, a general description of the drinking straw and its components is provided, followed by a discussion of the operation of the same. 
         [0019]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , shown is a non-limiting example of a drinking straw  100  having a reservoir  103  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, the drinking straw  100  may be described as having a first elongated tube portion  106  and a second elongated tube portion  109 . As may be appreciated, the first elongated tube portion  106  may be positioned upwards for placement into a mouth of an operator to induce suction. The second elongated tube portion  109  may be positioned downwards for placement into a liquid. 
         [0020]    In the non-limiting example of  FIG. 1 , the reservoir  103  is shown as being disposed between the first elongated tube portion  106  and the second elongated tube portion  109 . The position of the reservoir  103  along a shaft of the drinking straw  100  may be adjusted based on the length of the first elongated tube portion  106  and the second elongated tube portion  109 , as may be appreciated. In various embodiments, the reservoir  103  is employed to cause a liquid being sucked through the first elongated tube portion  106  and the second elongated tube portion  109  to mix with an agent retained in the reservoir  103  as liquid flows through the drinking straw  100 . The reservoir  103  may be substantially spherical or ovular in shape, although in other embodiments, the reservoir  103  may assume other shapes. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the reservoir  103  may be described as having a top portion  112  and a bottom portion  115 . The top portion  112  may be detachably attached or otherwise coupled to the first elongated tube portion  106  while the bottom portion  115  may be detachably attached or otherwise coupled to the second elongated tube portion  109 . Additionally, the top portion  112  may be detachably attached or otherwise coupled to the bottom portion  115 , thereby forming a fully assembled drinking straw  100 . 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, a perforated disc  118  may be disposed between the top portion  112  and the bottom portion  115  of the reservoir  103  and may have sides exposed on the outer surface of the drinking straw  100 . In various embodiments, the exposed sides of the perforated disc  118  comprise ridges or other projected features that facilitate gripping or rotating the perforated disc  118  to detach the top portion  112  and/or the bottom portion  115  from the perforated disc  118 . 
         [0023]    In embodiments where the top portion  112  is detachably attached to the first elongated tube portion  106 , a tube base  121  may be configured to detach from the top portion  112 . In some embodiments, the tube base  121  may comprise a receptacle  124  configured to receive the first elongated tube portion  106 . 
         [0024]    Referring next to  FIG. 2 , shown is side view of the drinking straw of  FIG. 1  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As noted above, the drinking straw  100  may comprise a first elongated tube portion  106  and a second elongated tube portion  109  where the second elongated tube portion  109  may be used for placement into a liquid while the first elongated tube portion  106  may be used for insertion into a mouth of an operator to induce suction of the liquid through the drinking straw  100 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the reservoir  103  may be disposed between the first elongated tube portion  106  and the second elongated tube portion  109  where the reservoir  103  is configured to cause the liquid being sucked through the first elongated tube portion  106  and the second elongated tube portion  109  to mix with an agent retained in the reservoir  103  as liquid flows through the drinking straw  100 . 
         [0025]    In various embodiments, the reservoir  103  comprises the top portion  112 , the perforated disc  118 , and the bottom portion  115 . The top portion  112  may be detachably attached or otherwise coupled to the first elongated tube portion  106  while the bottom portion  115  may be detachably attached or otherwise coupled to the second elongated tube portion  109 . Additionally, the top portion  112  may be detachably attached or otherwise coupled to the bottom portion  115 , thereby forming a uniform and fully assembled drinking straw  100 . Also noted above, in some embodiments, the perforated disc  118  is exposed on the outer surface of the drinking straw  100 . The perforated disc  118  may comprise ridges or other projected features that facilitate gripping or rotating the perforated disc  118  to detach the top portion  112  from the bottom portion  115 . 
         [0026]    In embodiments where the top portion  112  is detachably attached to the first elongated tube portion  106 , the tube base  121  may be configured to detach from the top portion  112 . In some embodiments, the tube base  121  may comprise the receptacle  124  configured to receive the first elongated tube portion  106 . 
         [0027]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , shown is a disassembled view of the drinking straw  100  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As noted above, the drinking straw  100  may comprise a first elongated tube portion  106  and a second elongated tube portion  109  where the second elongated tube portion  109  may be used for placement into a liquid while the first elongated tube portion  106  may be used for insertion into a mouth of an operator to induce suction of the liquid through the drinking straw  100 . The reservoir  103  of the drinking straw  100  may be disposed between the first elongated tube portion  106  and the second elongated tube portion  109  where the reservoir  103  is configured to cause the liquid being sucked through the first elongated tube portion  106  and the second elongated tube portion  109  to mix with a substance, such as a sweetening agent, retained in the reservoir  103  as liquid flows through the drinking straw  100 . 
         [0028]    The reservoir  103  of  FIG. 3  is shown with the individual components disassembled from one another. For example, the top portion  112 , the perforated disc  118 , and the bottom portion  115  are shown as being distinct and separate components. To connect the individual components to form a uniform and fully assembled drinking straw  100 , the top portion  112  may be detachably attached to the first elongated tube portion  106  while the bottom portion  115  may be detachably attached to the second elongated tube portion  109 . Additionally, the top portion  112  may be detachably attached or otherwise coupled to the perforated disc  118  and/or bottom portion  115 . 
         [0029]    In various embodiments, the perforated disc  118  may comprise a perforated disc or similar component where a plurality of perforations  127   a  . . .  127   n  or holes exist, allowing liquid to proceed from the bottom portion  115  to the top portion  112  when suction is induced in the first elongated tube portion  106 . Further, the top portion  112  of the drinking straw  100  may be detachably attached to the first elongated tube portion  106  via a tube base  121  that is configured to detach from the top portion  112 . To this end, a bottom end  130  of the first elongated tube portion  106  may extend beyond the tube base  121  and through a recess  133  of the perforated disc  118 . The tube base  121  may comprise the receptacle  124  configured to receive the first elongated tube portion  106 . Further, the tube base  121  may be configured to snap into or otherwise detachably attach to a recess  136  of the top portion  112  of the reservoir  103 . 
         [0030]    In various embodiments, an inside of the bottom portion  115 , the perforated disc  118 , and/or the top portion  112  may be threaded to allow for the components to be assembled by screwing together individual components. For example, a male thread of the perforated disc  118  may be screwed into a female thread of the bottom portion  115  and/or the top portion  112  of the reservoir  103 . Similarly, the tube base  121  may comprise threads to be received in a threaded form of the recess  136  of the top portion  112  of the reservoir  103 . 
         [0031]    In various embodiments, the perforated disc  118  is configured to retain or support an agent or other substance that may affect the taste, nutritional content, and/or color of a liquid being sucked through the drinking straw  100 . For example, honey may be applied to the top of the plurality of perforations  127   a  . . .  127   n . As liquid, such as tea or other drink, is sucked from a bottom of the drinking straw  100  to the top of the drinking straw  100 , the liquid enters the reservoir  103  and comes into contact with the honey. The liquid sweetened by the honey thereby proceeds through the top portion  112  of the reservoir  103  and out the first elongated tube portion  106  into the mouth of the operator. 
         [0032]    Referring next to  FIG. 4 , shown is a cross-section view of the drinking straw  100  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As noted above, the drinking straw  100  may comprise a first elongated tube portion  106  and a second elongated tube portion  109 , where the second elongated tube portion  109  may be used for placement into a liquid while the first elongated tube portion  106  may be used for insertion into a mouth of an operator to induce suction of the liquid through the drinking straw  100 . The reservoir  103  of the drinking straw  100  may be disposed between the first elongated tube portion  106  and the second elongated tube portion  109  where the reservoir  103  is configured to cause the liquid being sucked through the first elongated tube portion  106  and the second elongated tube portion  109  to mix with a substance, such as a sweetening agent, retained in the reservoir  103  as liquid flows through the drinking straw  100 . 
         [0033]    For purposes of explanation, an interior cross-section of the reservoir  103  is shown in  FIG. 4 . In various embodiments, the perforated disc  118  may comprise a disc or other surface that conforms to the shape of the reservoir  103  where an agent, such as honey, sugar, tea bags, liquid dye, or other similar agent, is retained for coming into contact with a liquid. The perforated disc  118  includes perforations  127   a  . . .  127   n  or holes that channel liquid from the bottom portion  115  to the top portion  112  of the reservoir  103  when suction is induced in the first elongated tube portion  106 . Further, the top portion  112  of the drinking straw  100  may be detachably attached to the first elongated tube portion  106  via a tube base  121  that is configured to detach from the top portion  112 . To this end, a bottom end  130  of the first elongated tube portion  106  may extend beyond the tube base  121  and through a recess  133  in the perforated disc of the perforated disc  118 . The tube base  121  may comprise the receptacle  124  configured to receive the first elongated tube portion  106 . Further, the tube base  121  may be configured to snap into or otherwise detachably attach to a recess  136  of the top portion  112  of the reservoir  103 . 
         [0034]    Moving on to  FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 , shown are cross-section views of the drinking straw  100  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As noted above, the drinking straw  100  may comprise a first elongated tube portion  106  and a second elongated tube portion  109 , where the second elongated tube portion  109  may be used for placement into a liquid while the first elongated tube portion  106  may be used for insertion into a mouth of an operator to induce suction of the liquid through the drinking straw  100 . The reservoir  103  of the drinking straw  100  may be disposed between the first elongated tube portion  106  and the second elongated tube portion  109  where the reservoir  103  is configured to cause the liquid being sucked through the first elongated tube portion  106  and the second elongated tube portion  109  to mix with a substance, such as a sweetening agent, retained in the reservoir  103  as liquid flows through the drinking straw  100 . 
         [0035]    In various embodiments, the perforated disc  118  may comprise a disc or other surface that conforms to the shape of the reservoir  103  where an agent, such as honey, sugar, tea bags, liquid dye, or other similar agent, is retained for coming into contact with a liquid. The perforated disc  118  includes perforations  127   a  . . .  127   n  or holes that channel liquid from the bottom portion  115  to the top portion  112  of the reservoir  103  when suction is induced in the first elongated tube portion  106 . Further, the top portion  112  of the drinking straw  100  may be detachably attached to the first elongated tube portion  106  via a tube base  121  that is configured to detach from the top portion  112 . To this end, a bottom end  130  of the first elongated tube portion  106  may extend beyond the tube base  121  and through a recess  133  in the perforated disc of the perforated disc  118 . The tube base  121  may comprise the receptacle  124  configured to receive the first elongated tube portion  106 . Further, the tube base  121  may be configured to snap into or otherwise detachably attach to a recess  136  of the top portion  112  of the reservoir  103 . 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9 , individual ones of the perforations  127   a  . . .  127   n  may comprise a conical channel, wherein a first end (e.g., a top) of the conical channel is wider than a second end (e.g., a bottom) of the conical channel. In some embodiments, the first end (e.g., a top) of the conical channel may be less than or equal to the width of the second end (e.g., a bottom) of the conical channel.  FIG. 6  also depicts threads  139  that illustrate that a top portion  112  and/or a bottom portion  115  of the reservoir  103  may be attached to one another by virtue of being screwed into the perforated disc  118 . In other words, the perforated disc  118  of the drinking straw  100  is detachably attached to the top portion  112  and the bottom portion  115  of the reservoir  103 . 
         [0037]    Further,  FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate that at least a portion of the perforated disc  118  may be exposed to an environment when the perforated disc  118  is disposed between the bottom portion  115  and the top portion  112  of the reservoir  103 , for example, when the drinking straw  100  is fully assembled. The exposed portion may comprise a plurality of ridges  142   a  . . .  142   n  or other projections that facilitate gripping the perforated disc  118  to unscrew and/or disassemble the reservoir  103 . In some embodiments, the first elongated tube portion  106  may extend into or beyond the top portion of the reservoir  103 , for example, by being received in the recess  133  of the perforated disc  118 . To this end, in some embodiments, the circumference of the recess  133  may be substantially similar to the circumference of the bottom end  130  of the first elongated tube portion  106 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  also illustrates a reservoir transition  145  where the second elongated tube portion  109  meets the reservoir  103 . The reservoir transition  145  may comprise an annular and tapered region that facilitates the drain of liquid from the reservoir  103 . In various embodiments, the reservoir transition  145  comprises a component of the second elongated tube portion  109  while, in other embodiments, the reservoir transition  145  comprises a component of the bottom portion  115  of the reservoir  103 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  illustrates that the bottom of the conical channels of the perforations  127   a  . . .  127   n  are narrower or smaller than the top of the conical channels. Further,  FIG. 8  depicts that a niche  148  in a bottom of the top portion  112  that allows the perforated disc  118  to conform to the top portion  112  when assembled. In further embodiments, a top of the bottom portion  115  may comprise a similar niche that receives the perforated disc  118  that secures and restricts movement of the perforated disc  118  when the drinking straw  100  is fully assembled. 
         [0040]      FIG. 9  shows that an agent  152  may be included in an interior of the reservoir  103 , for example, on a top of the perforated disc  118 . In various embodiments, the agent  152  may be disc-shaped or shaped to substantially conform to the shape of the perforated disc  118 . In some embodiments, the agent  152  comprises a sweetening agent, such as a disc formed of honey, sugar, artificial sweeteners, and/or other sweeteners. In other embodiments, the agent  152  may comprise a tea bag that, when mixed with water, creates tea as the drinking straw  100  is used. 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  shows that the agent  152  may be liquid or substantially liquid. In such embodiments, the agent  152  may be applied by pouring the agent  152  onto a surface of the perforated disc  118  (cross-section shown) prior to assembly of the drinking straw  100 . 
         [0042]    As described above, the drinking straw  100  may be used as a drinking apparatus to infuse an agent or ingredient, such as honey, into a liquid, such as tea, during a consumption of the liquid. An individual may first insert the second elongated tube portion  109  inside of a cup or other container containing a liquid. The perforations  127  on the perforated disc  118  allow the beverage to mix with the agent  152  as the beverage is consumed. Honey or another ingredient may be added by pouring the honey onto the perforated disc  118 . The drinking straw  100  may be inserted through a notch into a lid of a drink container, as may be appreciated. 
         [0043]    The embodiments described herein improve the consistency of sweetening the beverage, especially for cold beverages. In addition, the present embodiment may prevent the honey from clogging the drinking straw  100  since the honey is elevated away from recesses of the elongated tube portions  106 / 109 . Moreover, the individual may spend less time cleaning the drinking straw  100  than traditional drinkers that use honey to sweeten their drinks. After the individual is finished with their beverage, a majority of the remaining honey will be located on the perforated disc  118 . The individual may remove the perforated disc  118  and wash the honey or other substance off of the surface. 
         [0044]    With reference to  FIGS. 11A-11D , shown are non-limiting examples of using the reservoir  103  as a cartridge, where the reservoir  103  can be removed independent from the first elongated tube portion  106  and the second elongated tube portion  109 . As may be appreciated, the reservoir  103  may retain and dissolve a drinking substance into a beverage or other liquid during consumption. In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 11A-11D , the first elongated tube portion  106  and the second elongated tube portion  109  are connected by a gap attachment  155  configured to retain the reservoir  103 . Accordingly, in various embodiments, the reservoir  103  may be removed from or inserted into the gap attachment  155 . As may be appreciated, the gap attachment  155  may comprise portals, holes, or recesses that align with those of the first elongated tube portion  106  and the second elongated tube portion  109  such that the gap attachment  155  does not impede or otherwise interfere with the flow of liquid through the drinking straw  100 . When inserted, the gap attachment  155  may snap the reservoir  103  into a secure position. As shown in  FIG. 11C , the reservoir  103  may comprise a portal  158  where an agent  152 , such as honey, can be poured into an interior of the reservoir  103 . In some embodiments, the reservoir  103  comprises an inner tube  162  where an individual may pour honey until the level of honey in the reservoir  103  is near the height of the inner tube  162 . 
         [0045]    It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims. 
         [0046]    Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z each be present.