Patent Publication Number: US-2007095686-A1

Title: Combined beverage straw and distribution/deployment device for entertainment and electronic media

Description:
This Application Claims Priority to U.S. Provisional Application 60/730,732, and U.S. Provisional Application 60/783,238. 
    
    
      The primary object of this invention is to provide a media drinking straw and packaging, whereby any disc shaped media (CD, DVD, CD-ROM, or MINI DISC) can be combined with the innovative packaging and a commercially available straw. The Combined Beverage Straw and Distribution/Deployment Device for Entertainment and Electronic Media would be distributed with containerized soft drinks and through channels supported by concessionaries such as theme parks, stadiums, quick service establishments, movie theaters and other entities that serve fountain drinks. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of a threaded two-piece straw with ledge.  
       FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment of the straw and holster.  
       FIG. 3  depicts an embodiment of the mateable connectors.  
       FIGS. 4-8  depict other embodiments of the claimed invention. 
    
    
      The teachings of the present invention are to be understood by considering the foregoing description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of preferred embodiments. In these Figures, the commercially available straw may be linear or may have ridges for bending, and the holster and icon will have inner surfaces suited to such straws. On the holster, one embodiment of the retention glands is a molded, depressible tab that pivots inward when the CD passes across it. The embodiment of the holster shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4  is shown with a channel having a receiving end and terminating with a right angle locking end. This channel would receive a pin or raised element inside the icon, and when the icon is twisted, that element would lock in the channel. In another embodiment shown, the icon has a raised portion that assists in twisting it to the locked position.  
      To accomplish the objects of the invention, the straw is fitted with a specially designed holster which converts it to a media drinking straw with features to receive, attach and suspend any disc-shaped media and innovative packaging. In one embodiment, a specially designed holster  10  is fabricated in two symmetrical semi-circular sections that are hinged in their midsection by a single connecting web  12  which joins the two semi-circular sections at one of their common edges precisely located at the intersection of the holster-dissecting plane  11   a  containing the axis of the holster itself and dividing the holster into two identical symmetrical sections. In one embodiment, the split tubular, claw like design of the holster allows it to be easily closed around and firmly affixed to the straw  15 , then an icon  16 , which may be a clamping cap, is slid over the top axis of the straw and onto the holster. The icon mates with specially designed locking channels  13  in the holster, which a twist will lock in place to secure the icon-holster assembly to the straw. As applied to the straw, the holster features unique inner and outer surfaces, which preferably are specially contoured and finished. The outer surfaces accommodate the attachment of the CD or media disk. The inner and outer surfaces prevent the media from either rotating around the straw or moving in directions parallel to and/or perpendicular to the plane of the straw once affixed. The CD or media disk is attached to the media drinking straw assembly by passing the bottom axis of the straw through the typical opening in the center of the CD or disk, until the CD or media disk reaches the two disk retention glands  14  of the assembly located at the lower section of the holster. Supplemental force is thereafter applied to depress the two disk retention glands of the holster assembly, which allows the CD or media disk to advance, then securely snap into its final, suspended deployment channel position. The mateable connector includes a ledge  20 , preferably, on which the CD would rest when deployed.  
      Reversing the steps, removal of the CD or media disk from the media drinking straw is accomplished by first depressing the two disk retention glands located in the lower section of the holster and then allowing the CD or disk media to slide out of the holster and off of the lower section of the drinking straw. The electronic media can then be removed from any special packaging which might have been covered it or otherwise was incorporated with it. This disassembly does not destroy in any way the utility of the components to be used as a beverage straw.  
      Adequate component strength to accommodate electronic media and other promotional constituents is achieved through specific material selection and wall thickness design that is predetermined, such as, by the manufacturer of the various media drinking straw assembly components.  
      Another object of this invention is to provide a media packaging method on a straw that includes fixed suspension of the disc shaped media (CD, DVD, CD-ROM, or MINI DISC). This fixed suspension method will prevent the disc media from moving in directions parallel and perpendicular to the plane of the straw. The disc media will not be permitted to rotate around the straw. In one embodiment, frictional parts are incorporated onto the flanges or surfaces, or both, to frictionally control movement of the media.  
      An alternative means too accomplish the objects of the invention, is the straw and packaging have features to receive, attach and suspend any disc-shaped media. To accommodate media attachment, the straw is designed as a two-part device, preferably, with a top part that extends out of the drink container and a lower part that extends into it. In the preferred embodiment, the two parts are joined using threads. The top part of the straw would feature a male thread, while the lower part would have an equivalent female thread, which allow the two straw parts to be securely fastened together. Other embodiments of tubular, mateable connectors that can be joined, disconnected and reconnected are useful alternatives to the threaded connection. Both the top and lower straw sections are fitted with unique integral flanges that are designed to hold the electronic media and packaging securely in place when the combination of components are assembled. In that assembly, the tubular straw parts pass through the typical opening in the center of the CD or media disk, and the flanges press against the surface of that CD or disk. The flanges have mating surfaces specially formed and finished to assure that the final assembly does not loosen during distribution and use.  
      Then, with the threaded version of the straw or the mateable connectors, application of adequate torque on the treaded parts, or the force needed to release other connectors on the two part of the straw, it can be disassembled and the electronic media (i.e., mini disc, DVD, CD, etc.) removed from the packaging. This disassembly does not destroy the utility of the components to be used as a beverage straw, since those then can be reconnected and used with the drink container. Adequate straw strength to accommodate such design features as threaded sections as well as the flanges and media attachments is achieved through specific material selection and wall thickness design that is predetermined by the manufacturer of the straw components.  
      Another object of this invention is to provide a media packaging method when placed between the top and bottom parts of the straw includes a sealing method as to prevent any liquid refreshment passing through the straw from coming into contact with the disc. Examples of a seal include sealing material upon and removable from the CD or disc, seals on the flanges, and seals incorporated into the threaded parts or other connectors, fasteners, detents, or releasable connectors used to make the parts mateable.  
      Another object of this invention is to provide a media packaging method on a straw that includes fixed suspension of the disc shaped media (CD, DVD, CD-ROM, or MINI DISC). This fixed suspension method will prevent the disc media from moving in directions parallel and perpendicular to the plane of the straw. The disc media will not be permitted to rotate around the straw. In one embodiment, frictional parts are incorporated onto the flanges or onto the straw parts, or both, to frictionally control movement of the media.  
      An additional object of this invention is to provide functional features that permit a fun, unique and innovative way of presenting media. One way to achieve this is that the disc shaped media may be reasonably secured on the straw to appear as a halo around the straw and the surface of the CD or media disk can be adapted to receive advertising. The top part of the holster assembly can be molded in the form of an object to depict such things ranging from a company logo or media character. The combination of these design elements creates a total solution for unique media distribution.  
      The foregoing description gives examples and preferred embodiments, but should be considered instructive to the invention in all its versions. Varied embodiments are contemplated that do not depart from the fair scope of the teachings and descriptions set forth in this disclosure. The foregoing is not intended to limit what has been invented, or the materials that can be used to make and use the invention.