Patent Publication Number: US-2013231026-A1

Title: Straw system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     None. 
     FIELD 
     The subject disclosure relates to amusement devices, and more particularly, to a straw system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Amusement devices serve as an outlet for entertainment from otherwise uninteresting activities. For example, drinking beverages may be in of itself a mundane activity. Previous attempts at livening up drinking have included using ice cubes with items sealed within the cube or drinking straws with a non-linear shaft. These devices, while amusing, can be static involving nominal interaction from the user. In addition, they&#39;re visual appeal can be limiting. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for an amusement device that allows the user to interact with the device while performing routine activities such as drinking 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect of the disclosure, a straw comprises a straw shaft and an impeller positioned inside the straw shaft. The impeller may be disposed to rotate with fluid flow through the straw shaft. The straw may also include an axle coupled to the impeller through an opening in the straw shaft and a free end of the axle, outside the straw shaft. the free end may be disposed to rotate with rotation of the impeller. the straw may also include a gasket coupled to the axle. 
     In another aspect of the disclosure, a straw insert for a straw comprises a housing, a shaft extending through the housing, the shaft adapted to couple to the straw, an impeller supported in the shaft disposed to rotate within a fluid flow, an axle coupled to the impeller, projecting out of the shaft and housing, and a gasket coupled between the axle and the housing. 
     In another aspect of the disclosure, a straw comprises straw comprises a hollow shaft body, an inwardly tapering surface on an interior wall of the shaft body, an impeller inside the shaft body positioned proximate the inwardly tapering surface, and an axle coupled to the impeller and projecting outside of the shaft body. 
     It is understood that other configurations of the subject technology will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein various configurations of the subject technology are shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the subject technology is capable of other and different configurations and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the scope of the subject technology. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective front view illustrating an example of a straw system in accordance with an aspect of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 2  is cross-sectional side view of an example of a straw insert system taken along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an aspect of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional front view of the straw insert system of  FIG. 2  in accordance with an aspect of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective front view illustrating an example of a straw system with a novelty object in accordance with an aspect of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial perspective front view illustrating an example of a novelty object used with the straw system of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an aspect of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective front view illustrating an example of a straw system with another novelty object in accordance with an aspect of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial perspective front view illustrating an example of a novelty object used with the straw system of  FIG. 1  in accordance with another aspect of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective front view illustrating an example of a straw system with another novelty object in accordance with an aspect of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 9  is a partial perspective front view illustrating an example of a novelty object used with the straw system of  FIG. 1  in accordance with another aspect of the subject technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology may be practiced without these specific details. Like or similar components are labeled with identical element numbers for ease of understanding. 
     In general, exemplary embodiments of the subject technology provide an amusement device, for example, a drinking straw, that may move a novelty object attached to the straw during use. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an example of a straw system  100  is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The straw system  100  includes a straw insert system  150  and a hollow straw shaft  30  coupled to the straw insert system  150 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , the straw system  100  may include, in some exemplary embodiments, a unitary straw shaft  30  extending throughout the straw system  100  or may include separable straw portions, for example, a top shaft portion  30 A and/or a bottom shaft portion  30 B, press fit onto a shaft or conduit  34  attached to the straw insert system  150 . In exemplary embodiments that include separable shaft portions, the shaft  34  may be of a different diameter than the top shaft portion  30 A or the bottom shaft portion  30 B. In exemplary embodiments using a unitary shaft  30  configuration, the shaft  34  may not be present and instead the shaft  30  may run through the insert system  150 . Fluid flow may travel as designated by the arrows during typical use of the straw system  100 . In some exemplary embodiments, the straw system insert  150  may be configured to fit onto pre-existing straw shafts  30 . 
     The straw insert system  150  includes an impeller  22  supported within an interior of the straw shaft  30 ;  34 . The impeller  22  may be, for example, a paddle wheel. A housing  28  may surround the shaft  30 ;  34  housing the impeller  22 . The housing  28  may include a hub  39  on which the impeller  22  may sit. The housing  28  may include an arched interior wall proximate its lower extremity defining a passage  29  leading toward an interior wall  28   a  of the interior of the housing  28 . 
     The impeller  22  may include a step  38  on its front surface and a central bore  23  through its center axis. The impeller  22  may include teeth  25  whose distal edge may extend radially from the central bore  23 . The distal edge of teeth  25  may extend outward from the central bore  23  so that the impeller  22  occupies most of the interior of the housing  28 ; for example approximately 95% of the housing volume interior. For example, the distance between the interior wall  28   a  and one of the teeth  25  may be approximately 1/16 th  of an inch. A gap between adjacent teeth  25  may be approximately 4/16 th  of an inch. The teeth  25  may be positioned so that a trailing edge  19  is disposed substantially orthogonal to the interior wall  28   a  to catch fluid flow coming from the passage  29 . A leading edge  21  of the teeth  25  may be disposed swept back so as to rotate aerodynamically through the housing interior. 
     An axle  14  maybe coupled to the impeller  22  through the central bore  23 . The axle  14  may include a boss end  16  press fit into a groove wall  17 . The axle  14  may include a groove surface  12  disposed to catch the central bore  23 . The axle  14  may also project axially from the impeller  22  through the shaft  30 ;  34  and through a threaded opening  36  of the housing  28  so that a free end  15  is outside the straw shaft  30 ;  34 . A gasket  20  may be attached to and surround the axle  14 . The gasket  20  may be positioned against the threaded opening  36 , over the step  38 , and held in place by a cap  18  screwed onto the threaded opening  36 . The gasket  20  may provide a vacuum seal preventing fluid from escaping the housing  28  interior as fluid is drawn through the shaft  30 . The step  38  may reduce friction between the impeller  22  and the gasket  20  as the axle  14  rotates. A rotor  10  may be attached to the free end  15 . The rotor  10  may be, for example a gear. The rotor  10  may be configured to rotate as the axle  14  is rotated within the shaft  30 ;  34 . The rotor  10  may be configured to receive an assortment of objects disclosed below. 
     In one aspect, fluid flow through the straw shaft  30 ;  34  may be guided toward the impeller  22  and flow rate enhanced. The straw shaft  30 ;  34  may include on an interior wall  27 , an inwardly tapering surface  26 , disposed to project inward into the shaft  30 ;  34  interior, deflecting fluid from the shaft interior wall  27  in toward the impeller  22 . The surface  26  may define a tapering inner diameter of the shaft  30 ;  34  that may be smaller than the inner diameter of the remainder of the shaft  30 . 
     In an exemplary use, as a user (not shown) draws fluid (not shown) up the lower shaft portion  30 B, the fluid may encounter the surface  26 , experiencing a venturi effect flowing faster through the shaft  34 . The direction of the surface  26  may guide the fluid into the passage  29  toward the impeller  22 . Fluid flowing through the passage  29  may impinge against the interior wall  28   a  and the trailing edge of a tooth  25  that is adjacent the interior wall  28   a . As fluid encounters the trailing edge  19 , the impeller  22  may rotate causing the axle  14  to rotate and likewise, the rotor  10  to also rotate outside the shaft  30 ;  34 . The rate of rotation of the rotor  10  may thus, be controlled by the suction effected by the user. Additionally, it may be appreciated that the projection of teeth  25  in tight proximity to the interior wall  28   a  captures a majority of the fluid entering the housing  28  without the fluid simply circumventing the impeller  22 , yet the impeller  22  remains free to rotate around. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , an exemplary embodiment of the straw system  100  is shown with an exemplary movable novelty object  44   a  attached to the axle  14 . As an example, the novelty object  44   a  may be a set of propellers that may rotate orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (designated by dashed lines) of the shaft  30 . A housing  42  may also be a novelty object consistent with the theme of the novelty object  44   a . The housing  42  may be fixed into place onto the shaft  30 . In the example shown, the housing  42  may be an airplane surrounding the shaft  30 . The cap  18  may be cleverly disguised as the airplane&#39;s engine hub and the propellers (novelty object  44   a ) may rotate therefrom. As a user draws fluid up the shaft  30 , the surface  26  directs fluid at the impeller  22  causing the axle  14  to rotate and spin the propellers creating the effect of an airplane operating in flight. While drinking, for example, the user may entertain themselves by controlling the speed of rotation of the propellers while simultaneously enjoying their drink. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a straw system  200  is shown according to an exemplary embodiment of the subject technology. The straw system  200  is similar to the straw system  100  except that the novelty object  400  is configured to rotate radially around the longitudinal axis of the shaft  30 . The novelty object  44   b  may be for example, a beverage can surrounding the shaft  30 . The rotor  10  may be cross coupled to a gear  46  attached to the novelty object  44 . As the axle  14  rotates the rotor  10 , the gear  46  may move about the circumference of the shaft  30  turning the novelty object  44  with it as illustrated by the rotational arrow ( FIG. 6 ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a straw system  300  is shown according to an exemplary embodiment of the subject technology. The straw system  300  is similar to the straw system  100  except that it may include a pivot pin  60 , a disc  58  and a guide plate  52  configured to rotate the novelty item  44   c  within a predetermined range of motion. The range of motion may be, for example, an arc of less than 360 degrees orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the shaft  30 . For example, the novelty object  44   c  may be the grass skirt of a hula dancer  42  configured to shake his or her hips side to side as the straw system  300  is used. The range of motion may be about the pivot pin  60  positioned proximate the housing  28  and aligned with the axle  14 . 
     The disc  58  may include a centralized bore  62  and a pin  56  projecting out from the disc  58 . The disc  58  may be positioned over the cap  18  and onto the axle  14  (projecting through the bore  62 ), so that the pin  56  may rotate axially about the axle  14 . 
     The guide plate  52  may be a base configured to receive and detain the novelty object  44   c . The guide plate  52  may include a bore  50  and a guide slot  54 . The bore  50  may be positioned to receive the pivot pin  60  while the pin  56  is received within the guide slot  54 . 
     In an exemplary use, as a user draws fluid up the shaft  30 , the fluid may encounter the surface  26  rotating the impeller (not shown) causing the axle  14  to rotate. As the axle  14  rotates, the disc  58  turns so that the pin  56  rotates and moves within the guide slot  54 . Movement of the pin  56  within the guide slot  54  may cause an oscillating pivoting action about the pivot pin  60 . The rate of fluid drawn up the shaft  30  may thus, allow a user to make the novelty object  44   c , (in this example, the grass skirt) appear to either sway at low flow rates or shake vigorously at higher flow rates. 
     Those of skill in the art would appreciate that various components and blocks may be arranged differently (e.g., arranged in a different order, or partitioned in a different way) all without departing from the scope of the subject technology. 
     The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. The previous description provides various examples of the subject technology, and the subject technology is not limited to these examples. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the invention. 
     Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “above,” “below” and the like as used in this disclosure should be understood as referring to an arbitrary frame of reference, rather than to the ordinary gravitational frame of reference. Thus, a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, and a rear surface may extend upwardly, downwardly, diagonally, or horizontally in a gravitational frame of reference. Similarly, an item disposed above another item may be located above or below the other item along a vertical, horizontal or diagonal direction; and an item disposed below another item may be located below or above the other item along a vertical, horizontal or diagonal direction. 
     A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. An aspect may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as an “embodiment” does not imply that such embodiment is essential to the subject technology or that such embodiment applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an embodiment may apply to all embodiments, or one or more embodiments. An embodiment may provide one or more examples. A phrase such an embodiment may refer to one or more embodiments and vice versa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. A phrase such a configuration may refer to one or more configurations and vice versa. 
     The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. 
     All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.” Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.