U.S. patent application number 09/752229 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-06 for straw attachable to drink lid or container.
Invention is credited to Kalagian, Maureen P..
Application Number | 20010019062 09/752229 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46257369 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010019062 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kalagian, Maureen P. |
September 6, 2001 |
Straw attachable to drink lid or container
Abstract
A drinking device comprising a lid or container and a straw
selectively attached to the lid or container. The straw being
selectively attached to the lid such that packets of coffee
additives fictionally engage the lid. The lid further includes an
indentation which has a predetermined radius in order to receive
and secure a packet of coffee creamer. The straw can be selectively
removed for use.
Inventors: |
Kalagian, Maureen P.; (River
Forest, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael K. Lindsey
CARDINAL LAW GROUP
Suite 2000
1603 Orrington Ave
Evanston
IL
60201
US
|
Family ID: |
46257369 |
Appl. No.: |
09/752229 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09752229 |
Dec 29, 2000 |
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09129939 |
Aug 6, 1998 |
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6168042 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/705 ;
206/217; 206/459.5; 220/710; 229/103.1; 229/116.1; 229/922;
40/306 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 77/28 20130101;
B65D 21/0233 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/705 ;
220/710; 206/217; 206/459.5; 229/103.1; 229/116.1; 229/922;
40/306 |
International
Class: |
A47G 019/22; B65D
077/28; B65D 025/34 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A lid apparatus comprising: a lid, having an indicia thereon; a
straw removably attached to the lid at a location, said straw
having an indicia thereon; wherein the indicia on the straw is
congruent with the indicia on the lid; and wherein the location is
such that the straw covers at least a portion of the indicia on the
lid.
2. The lid apparatus of claim 1, where the straw and the indicia on
the lid combine to form an overall indicia.
3. The lid apparatus of claim 1, where upon removal of the straw
the covered portion of the lid indicia is revealed.
4. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the straw comprises at
least one accordion section.
5. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the straw is selectively
attached to the lid by a pressure sensitive adhesive.
6. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid includes at least
one notch formed therein, such that the straw is fictionally
secured to the lid by the at least one notch.
7. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid apparatus is
configured to be stackable one a top another.
8. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid is a coffee
lid.
9. The lid apparatus of claim 8, further comprising at least one
packet of coffee additive selectively attached to the coffee
lid.
10. The lid apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one packet of
coffee additive is selectively attached to the coffee lid by a
pressure sensitive adhesive.
11. The lid apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one packet of
coffee additive is selectively attached to the coffee lid by
engaging the coffee lid under the straw.
12. The lid apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one packet of
coffee additive is selectively attached to the coffee lid by
grooves selectively positioned about the coffee lid.
13. The lid apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an indention,
the indentation having a predetermined radius such that a standard
packet of coffee creamer being placed in the indentation
fictionally engages the coffee lid.
14. A drinking apparatus, comprising: a cylindrical drink container
having an end with a protruding circular rim concentric to the axis
of the cylindrical drink container; and a hollow straw having at
least one accordion portion, the straw being removably attached to
the protruding rim.
15. The drinking apparatus of claim 14, wherein the straw has an
indicia thereon that is congruent an indicia on the container and
the straw covers at least a portion of the indicia on the
container.
16. A drinking cup apparatus, comprising: a lid for covering a
drinking cup; a substantially circular indentation formed in the
top of the lid for frictionally receiving a cylindrically-shaped
container; a plurality of notches protruding from the top of the
lid for frictional engaging a straw; and the straw frictionally
engaged between the notches to be removably attached to the lid.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/129,939, the subject matter of which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to a lid or a
container and a straw attached thereto for drinking liquids.
[0004] The present invention provides a drink lid or a drink
container with an accordion straw releasably attached therewith. A
consumer before covering a cup with the lid may grasp the lid and
remove the straw therefrom. After covering the cup with the lid,
the consumer may insert the straw through a notch in the lid and
into a liquid contained by the cup. The consumer is, thereby,
afforded an inexpensive means of drinking from the cup without
having to touch the cup to the consumer's lips.
[0005] 2. Description of Related Art
[0006] Containers, such as cups or cans, have long been employed to
hold liquids to allow drinking therefrom. Drinking from containers
has traditionally been accomplished by raising of the container to
the lips of the person desiring to drink, therefrom, and, then,
pouring of the liquid from the container into the mouth of the
person.
[0007] It has been found, however, that while some persons wish to
drink from a container, they find raising a container to their lips
either undesirable or unacceptable. Some persons may be concerned
about the sanitary nature of the container. Others have found
placing a cup against their lips unacceptable for cosmetic reasons.
By way of example, persons in the modeling or entertainment
industry spend long work days with their lips covered with a
cosmetic of some sort. Although such persons may wish to drink from
a cup, they must refrain from doing so in order to minimize any
alteration to their make-up.
[0008] Furthermore, when a person wishes to avoid spilling any
liquid in a cup, the person can place a cover on the cup. Many
different covers are employed, however, each cover serves the same
underlying purpose, to prevent liquid from spilling out of the
cup.
[0009] Persons drinking from cups have employed hollowed objects,
such as straws, to transport suction from the persons' mouth to
below the surface of the liquid contained in the cup. Straws
transport liquid in cups to the persons' mouth without the cup
being lifted to the mouth. Contact between the cup and the persons'
mouth and lips may thereby be avoided by one wishing to drink
therefrom. In this manner, contact with the person's lips is
reduced to a small straw.
[0010] Persons who are concerned about the sanitary nature of cups,
lids and straws for medical reasons (such as not being able to bend
back the neck to drink after neck surgery) often desire cups with
covers having an associated straw to allow the use of a new straw
with each new cup. In this manner, such cup, cover and straw
combinations may be used as disposable objects, and a new cup and
straw combination obtained whenever a drink is desired.
[0011] Prior attempts at providing either a container with an
associated straw or a lid with an associated straw have produced
devices which are sometimes expensive and inconvenient to use.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 3,332,567 to Pugh represents an attempt at a
cup with a cover and straw combination. The teachings of Pugh
require a cup to have a groove formed therein along the length and
bottom thereof. The costs of manufacturing the Pugh cup are
relatively high and do not readily permit a disposable-type
application.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,631 to Reeves represents another attempt
at a cup with a lid and straw combination. Reeves shows a cup
having a compartment formed on a side thereof for containing a
straw. The elaborate construction of Reeves is relatively expensive
and does not lend itself to disposable applications.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 3,921,889 to Gibbons represents another
attempt at a cup and straw combination. Gibbons also shows a cup
with an integrally formed straw. The cost of construction of the
Gibbons combination does not generally promote disposable
applications.
[0015] Accordingly, there is a need for a lid/straw or
container/straw combination that is convenient to use and has low
manufacturing costs for allowing disposable applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a lid
and straw combination that is easy to use and inexpensive to
produce and transport to customers.
[0017] It is a further advantage of the present invention to
provide a container and straw combination that is easy to use and
inexpensive to produce and transport to customers.
[0018] The lid/straw and container/straw combinations have a
multitude of uses, which include, by way of example, fast food
restaurants, eat in or carry out restaurants, picnics, cocktail
parties, birthday parties, graduation parties, hospitals,
retirement homes, airlines, and most other social occasions.
[0019] The above advantages and other objects of the present
invention are accomplished by providing a drink lid with a
removably attached straw and a drink container having a removably
attached straw.
[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention, a straw is
removably attached to a lid. The straw has at least one accordion
section which allows for flexibility of the straw. Therefore, the
straw may be bent for drinking from a cup. It is appreciated by the
present invention that the straw may be attached to the lid in more
various ways, thus allowing attachment of the straw to the lid as
described herein below.
[0021] According to another aspect of the inventions, a string of
beads of a pressure sensitive adhesive can be positioned on the lid
or container. The straw is positioned in the beads of a pressure
sensitive adhesive to selectively fix the straw to the lid or
container. Consequently, a consumer gets a fresh unused straw with
each lid. The concerns about locating a straw or the cleanliness of
such straw are thereby reduced. Additionally, the lid/straw and
container/straw combinations may be manufactured at a cost low
enough to offer the combinations as disposable goods.
[0022] To further assure the cleanliness of the straw, the straw
may alternatively have a packaging enclosing the straw from the
environment such that the straw reaches the consumer untouched.
Selective attachment to the lid can be accomplished by attaching
the packaging of the straw to the pressure sensitive adhesive.
[0023] Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will
become readily apparent from the detailed description of the
preferred embodiment of the invention, from the claims, and from
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by
reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0025] FIG. 1A depicts a perspective view of a prior art lid.
[0026] FIG. 1B depicts a top view of a prior art lid.
[0027] FIG. 1C depicts a side view of a prior art lid.
[0028] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a prior art lid
attached to a cup.
[0029] FIG. 3 depicts a front view of an accordion-type straw.
[0030] FIG. 4 depicts a front view of a straw having multiple
accordion sections.
[0031] FIG. 5A depicts a top view of a preferred lid with attached
straw in accordance with the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 5B depicts a top view of an alternate embodiment of a
lid in accordance with the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 5C depicts a top view of an alternate embodiment of a
lid in accordance with the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 5D depicts a top view of an alternate embodiment of a
lid in accordance with the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 5E depicts a cross sectional view of the lid shown in
FIG. 5A along line a-a.
[0036] FIG. 6 depicts a side view of a stacking configuration of
the lid shown in FIG. 5A.
[0037] FIG. 7 depicts another embodiment of the lid with attached
straw of the in accordance with the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 8 depicts another embodiment of the lid with attached
straw in accordance with the present invention.
[0039] FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D depict still other embodiments of
the lid with attached straw in accordance with the present
invention.
[0040] FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E and 10F depict further
embodiments of the lid with attached straw in accordance with the
present invention.
[0041] FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D depict a container with an
attached straw in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0042] While the invention is susceptible of embodiment in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be
described herein, in detail, the preferred embodiments of the
invention. It should be understood, however, that the present
disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles
of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit and scope
of the invention and/or claims of the embodiment illustrated.
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 2, lid 10 depicted in
the prior art is circular in shape and adapted to matingly engage
the upper edge of a drinking cup 20 so as to cover the open end of
the cup as shown in FIG. 2. The lid 10 consists of a central cover
portion 22 and a downwardly depending outwardly curved annular
skirt 24. The central cover portion includes an upper side 28 and a
lower side 29. The annular skirt 24 having an outer perimeter 25
forms an outer peripheral edge 26 of the lid. The outer peripheral
edge 26 is configured to make selective snap-engagement with the
upper edge of the cup so as to effect selective closure thereof in
the manner well known in the prior art.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 3, a straw 30 of the present invention
is preferably, although not necessarily, an accordion-type straw
comprising at least one accordion section 32, thereon. The
preferred straw 30 comprises a single accordion section 32 as
depicted in FIG. 3 and described further herein below. It should be
noted that the present invention may be accomplished by any straw
which will allow attachment to the lid 10 as described below. The
preferred straw 30 comprises a first end 34 and an opposing second
end 36. Each of the first and second ends 34, 36 comprise an outer
perimeter 38 which is preferably consistent along the length,
thereof, and an inner perimeter 40 which follows the contour of the
outer perimeter 38. In this manner, each of the first and second
ends are hollow to allow fluid transport therethrough. Indentations
or other variations in the outer perimeters of the first and second
ends 34, 36 are contemplated, so long as air or any liquid is not
permitted to pass through the outer perimeter 38 of either the
first end 34 or the second end 36.
[0045] The accordion section 32 of straw 30 preferably extends
substantially from the first end 34 to the second end 36. The outer
perimeter 40 of the accordion section 32 is comprised of a
plurality of pleated sections 42. Each pleated section 42 comprises
a first portion 44 and a second portion 46. A first end pleated
section 48 is attached to the first end 34 of the straw 30. This is
preferably accomplished by forming the first portion 44 of said
first end pleated section 48 integrally with the first end 34. A
second end pleated section 50 is attached to the second end 36 of
the straw 30. This is preferably accomplished by forming the second
portion 46 of the second end pleated section 50 integrally with the
second end 36 of the straw 30. The remaining pleated sections 42 of
the plurality of the pleated sections are integrally connected
along an axis 52 of the straw 30 to provide fluid connection of the
first end 34 to said second end 36 of the straw 30. This is
preferably accomplished by integrally forming each pleated section
first portion 44 of the remaining pleated sections 42 to the
respective adjacent pleated section second portion 46. The pleated
section first portion 44 of the second end pleated portion 50 must
also be integrally formed to the adjacent pleated section second
portion 46. In this manner, an enclosing wall is formed from the
first end 34 to the second end 36 and an inner perimeter of the
accordion section 32 is fluidly connected to the inner perimeter of
each of the first and second ends.
[0046] The above described configuration provides a straw through
which either air or liquid may be suctioned without substantial
loss of pressure due to leakage through the enclosing wall of the
straw 30. The accordion section 32 of the straw 30 allows
flexibility of the straw 30 such that it may be bent into a variety
of forms while still allowing suction from the first end 34 to the
second end 36. Additionally, the straw 30 may be extended or
shortened by forcing the first and second ends 34, 36 of the straw
30 away from each other or toward each other, respectively, thus
expanding or compressing the accordion sections 32. While all
suitable materials and methods of manufacture known in the art are
contemplated for construction of the straw 30 of the present
invention, it is preferred that the present straw 30 be constructed
by blow molding to minimize the costs of construction.
[0047] The lengths of the first and second ends 34, and 36 and the
accordion section 32 may vary without departing from the scope of
the present invention. It is preferred that the first and second
ends 34, 36 are of a length sufficient to allow a user of the straw
30 to place the user's lips, thereon, and obtain sufficient suction
to allow drinking therethrough. However, it is contemplated that
the straw first and second 34, 36 may be eliminated without
preventing accomplishment of the present invention. Additionally,
while straws are typically constructed to be of circular
cross-section about the axis 52, thereof, other configurations are
also contemplated.
[0048] The straw 30 of the present invention may, in an alternative
embodiment, comprise a plurality of accordion sections 32 each
comprising at least one pleated section 38 as depicted in FIG. 4.
This alternative embodiment straw 30 provides the advantage of
allowing bending, thereof, while reducing the material required for
construction by elimination of some of the pleated sections 32,
thereon. The alternative straw 30 thereby allows reduced
construction costs. It should be recognized that while the
remaining figures depicts the straw 30 of FIG. 3, the straw of FIG.
4, or any other straw falling within the scope of the present
invention, may be substituted therefore.
[0049] While various configurations of lids and straws have been
previously known in the art, an inexpensive and efficient manner of
configuring a lid and an associated straw for shipping and
convenient use by a consumer have been, heretofore, unknown. The
lid with the attached straw 30, in FIG. 5A, of the present
invention provides a simple, efficient, and convenient manner of
providing a consumer with a lid and an associated straw for use,
therewith. This is accomplished by selectively attaching the straw
30 to the lid 17. In the preferred embodiments, FIGS. 5A and 5B,
the straw 30 is selectively attached to the lower side 29 of the
lid 17 in various positions.
[0050] FIG. 5A depicts the straw 30 attached to the lower side 29
of the central cover portion 22. Placing the straw on the lower
side of a lid allows easy access to the straw by the consumer. It
should be noted that employing a straw 30 with the accordion
section 32 of the preferred embodiment allows for easy bending of
the straw 30 around an inner perimeter 60 of the lid 10.
Furthermore, the flexibility associated with a straw 30 comprising
an accordion section 32 reduces the tendency of a straw 30 to
straighten out and, thereby, detach itself from an associated lid
17.
[0051] Straw 30 may be attached to the lid 17 by any suitable
attachment technique. However, the preferred embodiment of the
invention as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, depicts the straw 30
attached to the lid 17 by molding grooves 51 and/or notches 53 into
the lid 17 such that the straw 30 is frictionally engaging the lid.
If the groove 51 is used, the groove 51 can be shaped to receive
the straw so that the walls of the groove fictional engage the
straw when it is placed within the groove. For example, the groove
51 can be a continuous accurate concavity having a diameter
slightly less than the straw, formed as an indentation in the
bottom of the lid 17. If notches 53 are employed, the notches 53
can be series of spaced abutments formed to extend from the bottom
of the lid 17 along the groove arcs 51. The notches 53 can be
placed across the groove from one another in pairs (as shown), or
alternatively, staggered in an offset spacing on either side of the
groove 51 so that they are not directly across from one
another.
[0052] FIG. 5E depicts a cross sectional view of the lid 17,
showing the notches 53 and groove 51.
[0053] Using a groove or notches for fixation allows the user to
easily remove the straw 30 from the lid. Other means for attaching
the straw 30 to the lid are also contemplated by the present
invention, such as the use of a pressure sensitive adhesive.
[0054] Fixation of the straw 30 to the lower side 29 of the lid 17
allows stacking of a plurality of lids of the present invention for
shipping or storage, as depicted in FIG. 6. The lid 17 has a straw
side 70, the portion of the lid in contact with the straw 30, and
an open side 72, the portion of the lid not in contact with the
straw 30. When stacking lids with associated straws, the lids are
in contact or two straw sides of the lids are in contact. In this
manner, lids may be easily stacked with straws.
[0055] However, it should be noted that in order to maintain easy
stacking and shipping a straw side 70 should not be in contact with
an open side 72. Otherwise, an accumulation of the lack of a
stabilizing force provided by the straw 30 in contact with an open
side 70 might allow a large stack of lids to sway away from the
stabilizing force provided by the straws 30 and topple a stack of
lids of the present invention.
[0056] Although it is preferable that the straw 30 is attached to
the lower side 29 lid 17 (as depicted in FIGS. 5A, and 5B), the
present invention recognizes other placements of the straw 30 with
respect to the lid 17. For example, the straw 30 may be attached to
the upper side 28 of the lid 17. Also the straw 30 may be attached
to the outer perimeter 25 of the curved annular skirt 24, as
depicted in FIG. 5C. Additionally, the straw may be coiled and
attached to either the upper side 28 or the lower side 29 of the
lid 17, depicted in FIG. 5D.
[0057] It should become apparent that the present invention
contemplates placement of the straw 30 at any position on the lid
17. However, those specifically mentioned above tend to better
allow stacking of a plurality of the lid with the attached straw of
the present invention.
[0058] The lid 17 and straw 30 combination may include packaging 61
and 65 to keep dirt, debris, and germs from coming into contact
with the lid 17 or straw 30. As shown in FIG. 5A, the straw 30 is
packaged separately by package 61 and the lid/straw combination is
packaged together by package 65. Alternatively, the straw 30 and
lid 17 can be packaged together using a single package, or the
straw 30 packaged alone, without any packaging placed around the
lid 17. Packaging of the straw 30, lid 17, or groups thereof, may
be accomplished by sealed bags comprises of any suitable material
or process for such packaging, such as plastic film.
[0059] The present invention also contemplates the straw 30 being
an accordion coffee stirring straw connected to a coffee lid. FIG.
7 depicts a coffee lid 70 connected with an accordion coffee
stirring straw 90. The coffee lid 70 includes a central cover
portion 72 and a downwardly depending outwardly curved annular
skirt 74. The central cover portion includes an upper side 76 and a
lower side 78. The annular skirt 74 having an outer perimeter forms
an outer peripheral edge 80 of the coffee lid 70. The outer
peripheral edge 80 is configured slightly larger than the upper
edge of a coffee cup in order to fictionally engage the upper edge
of the coffee cup to selectively cover thereof in the manner well
known in the prior art.
[0060] The coffee stirring straw 90 is removably attached to the
coffee lid 70 by the use of either pressure sensitive adhesives or
may be frictionally engaging notches 84 preformed in the coffee lid
as depicted in FIG. 7.
[0061] Furthermore, when drinking coffee, the consumer may desire
to have their coffee with sugar/sweetener and/or creamer. If the
consumer does not place the sugar or creamer in the coffee
immediately, the consumer must either hold or place the packets in
their pocket. This is undesirable because occasionally the packets
tear causing the contents to spill or dump into the consumer's
pockets. The present invention depicts a coffee lid which allows
the user to secure packets of sugar/sweetener and/or a packet of
creamer on the lid, FIG. 7.
[0062] The notches 84, shown in FIG. 7, (or adhesive) on the coffee
lid 70 engage the coffee stirring straw only on the ends of the
stirring straw. A middle portion 92 of the stirring straw 90 is not
attached to the coffee lid, such that a packet of sugar 94 or
sweetener may be easily secured under the stirring straw 90.
Furthermore, the notches 84 engage the stirring straw 90 such that
the straw does not tear away from the coffee lid 70 when a packet
94 is placed under it.
[0063] FIG. 7 also depicts the coffee lid 70 with an indentation
96. The size of indentation 96 is such that a standard cup of
creamer can be secured in the indentation and be easily removed for
use. This invention contemplates various positions of the
indentation 96, the placement of the stirring straw 90 and the
placement of packets of sugar on the coffee lid. For instance, in
FIG. 8, an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown.
FIG. 8 shows the stirring straw 90 being wrapped around the
indentation 96 with the packets of sugar 94 secured by the stirring
straw 90 positioned around the indentation 96.
[0064] FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D and FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F
depict other embodiments of the present invention showing a coffee
lid with the indentation at various positions around the coffee
lid. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 9A-9D and 10A-10D, the
placement of the stirring straw may be attached at various
positions around the indentation or around the coffee lid.
[0065] FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D depict a container 122 with an
attached straw 124 in accordance with the present invention.
Although the container 122 is shown as a beverage can, it could
also be a glass container or bottle.
[0066] FIGS. 11A-D depict a can 122 of the type typically used for
beverages such as soda or beer and having a beveled upper and lower
rim 154,126. The straw 124 may be releasably affixed at any
position to the can 122 as described herein. However, to prevent
the straw 124 from overly protruding from the can 122, the straw is
preferably attached to either the upper or lower rim 154, 126 on
the upper and lower can shoulders 156, 128, as respectively shown
in FIGS.11 A and 11C. Alternatively, the straw 124 placed on the
inside of the upper and lower rims 154, 126, on the top 152 of the
can 122 or bottom concavity 130 of the can 122, as shown in FIGS.
11B and 11D, respectively.
[0067] Although not shown in FIGS. 11A-D, the straw 124 can be
package using a convention package material, such as clear plastic
film. The packaging material, as well as the straw 124 and can 122
may having indicia printed thereon.
[0068] As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the straw 30, lid 17 and/or
packaging 60, 65 may have an indicia 63, such as a logo, printed
thereon. The indicia 63 may be may be related to the lid 17 or
container 122 and the straw 30 or packaging 60,65. For example, the
lid 17 or packaging 60, 65 may be printed with an American flag and
the straw decorated or placed on the lid 17 or container 122 so as
to represent on of the thirteen strips associated with the flag. In
addition, or in the alternative, the straw 30 could cover a hidden
message or picture (or a portion thereof) on the lid 17 or
container 122 which would be displayed upon removal of the straw 30
from the lid 17 or container 122. The indicia can be printed on the
packaging 60,65, straw 30, container 122, or lid 17 using raised,
embossed, blind lettering, or any suitable combination thereof.
[0069] While specific embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in
the art that the disclosed invention may be modified in numerous
ways and may assume many embodiments other than those specifically
set out and described above. Accordingly, the scope of the
invention is indicated in the appended claims, and all changes that
come within the meaning and range of equivalents are intended to be
embraced therein.
* * * * *