U.S. patent application number 11/105529 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-11 for straw.
This patent application is currently assigned to KIKKOMAN CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Kanda, Hiroshi, Kuwagaki, Denmi, Uda, Yuji.
Application Number | 20050173554 11/105529 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18906980 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050173554 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuwagaki, Denmi ; et
al. |
August 11, 2005 |
Straw
Abstract
A straw (3) capable of being detachably inserted into the straw
insert hole (2) of a press-deformable container (1) having the
straw insert hole (2), characterized by comprising a locking part
(4) for stopping the insertion of the straw (3) into the straw
insert hole (2) and a through hole (5) positioned apart from the
locking part (4) by a distance (W) almost the same as the thickness
of a container forming material having the straw insert hole
(2).
Inventors: |
Kuwagaki, Denmi; (Chiba,
JP) ; Kanda, Hiroshi; (Chiba, JP) ; Uda,
Yuji; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YOUNG & THOMPSON
745 SOUTH 23RD STREET
2ND FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Assignee: |
KIKKOMAN CORPORATION
CHIBA
JP
GOLD PAK CO., LTD.
TOKYO
JP
|
Family ID: |
18906980 |
Appl. No.: |
11/105529 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11105529 |
Apr 14, 2005 |
|
|
|
10467458 |
Aug 7, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/24 ;
239/33 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 21/18 20130101;
B65D 77/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
239/024 ;
239/033 |
International
Class: |
E03B 009/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 21, 2001 |
JP |
2001-45127 |
Aug 2, 2003 |
WO |
PCT/JP02/01488 |
Claims
1. A combination of a container and a straw that is removably
inserted into said container through a straw insert opening in said
container, said straw comprising a first tube with a stopping part
that bars movement of said first tube farther into said straw
insert opening and perforations defining an inlet hole when a part
of said tube surrounded by said perforations is removed, said inlet
hole being spaced from said stopping part by a distance
substantially equal to a thickness of said container.
2. The combination of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal end of said
straw that is inserted into said container is a closed end.
3. The combination of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal end of said
straw that is inserted into said container is open.
4. The combination of claim 1, further comprising at least one
inner tube that is longitudinally movable and rotatable inside said
first tube.
5. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a middle tube
that is longitudinally movable and rotatable inside said first tube
and an inner tube that is longitudinally movable and rotatable
inside said middle tube, a wall of said middle tube being
selectively movable to a position in alignment with said inlet hole
so as to close said inlet hole.
6. The combination of claim 1, wherein said tube comprises a first
part that is adjacent to said straw insert opening and that has a
constant external diameter, except that at said straw insert
opening said first part has a peripheral groove that extends
radially inward from said first diameter, said groove being said
stopping part and having a size corresponding to said straw insert
opening.
7. A combination of a container and a straw that is removably
inserted into said container through a straw insert opening in said
container, said straw comprising a first tube with a first part
that is adjacent to said straw insert opening and that has a
constant external diameter, except that at said straw insert
opening said first part has a peripheral groove that extends
radially inward from said first diameter, said groove having a size
corresponding to said straw insert opening and being arranged to
longitudinally hold said straw in said straw insert opening, said
tube further comprising an inlet hole spaced from said groove by a
distance substantially equal to a thickness of said container.
8. The combination of claim 7, wherein a longitudinal end of said
straw that is inserted into said container is a closed end.
9. The combination of claim 7; wherein a longitudinal end of said
straw that is inserted into said container is open.
10. The combination of claim 7, further comprising at least one
inner tube that is longitudinally movable and rotatable inside said
first tube.
11. The combination of claim 7, further comprising a middle tube
that is longitudinally movable and rotatable inside said first tube
and an inner tube that is longitudinally movable and rotatable
inside said middle tube, a wall of said middle tube being
selectively movable to a position in alignment with said inlet hole
so as to close said inlet hole.
12. A combination of a container and a straw that is removably
inserted into said container through a straw insert opening in said
container, said straw insert opening being covered with a synthetic
resin film, said straw comprising a first tube with a stopping part
that bars movement of said first tube farther into said straw
insert opening and an inlet hole that is spaced from said stopping
part by a distance substantially equal to a thickness of said
container, and wherein both longitudinal ends of said straw are
open.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending application
Ser. No. 10/467,458, filed on Aug. 7, 2003, the entire contents of
which are hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a straw which is removably
inserted into a press-deformable container, such as a paper carton,
containing a liquid food, e.g., beverages, noodle sauces or dips
for grilled beef, and used to pour the liquid food. More
particularly, it relates to a straw which easily pours the liquid
food to the last drop, does not drip, is hygienic because the outer
periphery of the opening thereof is hardly contaminated, and
enables re-closing of the container.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] It is common that a straw is removably inserted into a paper
carton through a straw insert opening of the carton to drink a
liquid food. When a liquid food in such a paper carton is dispensed
or transferred into another container such as a dish or a cup, it
is generally difficult to do this through the straw. Then a liquid
food is usually dispensed or transferred into another container by
cutting off a corner of the paper carton to make a pour opening and
pouring the liquid food through the opening.
[0004] However, the opening made in this way drips or dribbles
down, and its outer periphery is easily contaminated, which is
hygienically problematic. Besides, because such an opening is
larger than an opening designed for straw insertion, it is
difficult to re-close the paper carton, and preservability of the
liquid food is deteriorated.
[0005] JP-U-64-39253 discloses a pouch which has a straw type pour
spout and is adapted to be filled with a beverage (see FIG. 1 of
the official gazette). Because this pour spout is not removable but
integral with the pouch, it is not reapplicable to other
containers.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a straw
which is removably inserted into a container filled with a liquid
food, easily pours the liquid food to the last drop, does not drip,
is hygienic because the outer periphery of its opening is hardly
contaminated, and enables re-closing of the container.
[0007] The present invention accomplishes the above object by
providing a straw 3 adapted to be removably inserted into a
press-deformable container 1 through a straw insert opening 2 of
the container 1, which is characterized by having a stopping part 4
for stopping itself from being inserted through the straw insert
opening 2 and an inlet hole 5 at a position distant from the
position of the stopping part 4 by a distance substantially equal
to the thickness W of the container-forming material having the
straw insert opening 2.
[0008] The present invention also accomplishes the above object by
providing a straw adapted to be removably inserted into a
press-deformable container 1 through an insert opening 2 of the
container 1, which is characterized by comprising an outer tube 3a,
a middle tube 3b, and an inner tube 3c, the middle tube 3b and the
inner tube 3c being fitted into the outer tube 3a slidably in their
longitudinal direction, the outer tube 3a having a stopping part 4
for stopping itself from being inserted through the insert opening
2 and an inlet hole 5 at a position distant from the position of
the stopping part 4 by a distance substantially equal to the
thickness W of the container-forming material having the straw
insert opening 2, and the inlet hole 5 being opened and closed by
sliding at least the middle tube 3b.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-section of a straw according to
a first embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the straw of the first
embodiment inserted into a paper carton which is cross-cut.
[0011] FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) show a straw according to a second
embodiment and correspond to FIG. 1.
[0012] FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) show a straw according to a third
embodiment and correspond to FIG. 2.
[0013] FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) show a straw according to a fourth
embodiment and correspond to FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 6 represents schematic cross-sections of stopping parts
according to other embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the
present invention, in which a straw has a flexible section
(bellows).
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0016] The straw of the present invention will be described based
on its preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a straw 3 according to the first
embodiment is a hollow, small-diametered tube having a circular
cross-section which is adapted to be inserted into a
press-deformable container 1 (e.g., a paper carton) filled with a
liquid food (not shown) through a straw insert opening 2 of the
container 1. Similarly to an ordinary straw, the straw 3 provides a
passageway for liquid extending in the longitudinal direction
thereof and has its both ends open to form a suction inlet 31 and a
pour outlet 32. The straw 3 has its suction inlet 31 side end cut
aslant to make a sharp tip.
[0018] The straw 3 of the first embodiment has a stopping part 4
for stopping itself from being completely inserted through the
insert opening 2. The stopping part 4 is a shoulder formed in the
middle of the straw 3. The stopping part 4 is formed by making the
section nearer to the pour outlet 32 (the section sticking out of
the paper carton 1 when the straw 3 is inserted through the insert
opening 2) larger in diameter than the insert opening 2 while
making the rest of the straw 3 (the section inserted into the paper
carton 1) almost equal in diameter to the straw insert opening
2.
[0019] The straw 3 of the first embodiment has a circular inlet
hole or holes 5 connecting to the passageway at a position distant
from the position of the stopping part (the shoulder) 4 by a
distance substantially equal to the thickness W of the
container-forming material having the straw insert opening 2 (the
depth of the insert opening 2). Specifically, the distance that is
substantially equal to the thickness W is (W+0.5 to 4.0) mm,
preferably (W+1.0 to 2.0) mm.
[0020] The number of the inlet holes is preferably 2 or 3. As shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inlet hole 5 is preferably a hole previously
made. The straw 3 before use may have easy-to-tear perforations
(not shown for the sake of simplicity of drawing) along the shape
of an inlet hole 5 instead of a previously made hole. On use, the
part surrounded by the perforations is torn off or pressed in to
make an inlet hole 5.
[0021] The straw 3 of the first embodiment is used as follows. A
paper carton 1 is placed straight up. A sealing piece (not shown)
covering the upper face of the insert opening 2 is removed to
expose a synthetic resin (plastic) film 6 (see FIG. 2) covering the
insert opening 2. The sharp edge of the suction inlet 31 of the
straw 3 is pressed to poke the film 6, and the straw 3 is inserted
until the surface of the stopping member 4 (the shoulder) comes
into contact with the periphery surrounding the insert opening
2.
[0022] The paper carton 1 having the straw 3 inserted therein
through the insert opening 2 is held upside down as illustrated in
FIG. 2 with the pour outlet 32 of the straw 3 directed to a
container (not shown) into which the liquid food is to be dispensed
or transferred. In this state the outer wall of the straw 3 nearby
the insert opening 2 is provided with a liquid-tight seal by the
inner wall of the insert opening 2 and the film 6 so that the straw
3 may not come off the insert opening 2. The liquid food in the
paper carton 1 spontaneously flows by its own weight through the
inlet holes 5 and the suction inlet 31 into the passageway and
pours from the pour outlet 32 into the container. Where the paper
carton 1 is shape restorable, it is preferred if needed that the
paper carton 1 be squeezed with fingers from its both sides in the
state shown in FIG. 2 to deform the paper carton 1 thereby to help
the liquid food pour smoothly.
[0023] When the whole amount of the liquid food does not need to be
transferred, the paper carton 1 is turned up, and the straw 3 is
pulled out of the paper carton. In the next occasion of pouring,
the above-described operation is repeated.
[0024] The straw 3 according to the first embodiment produces the
following effects (1) to (7).
[0025] 1) The straw 3 is able to be repeatedly inserted and removed
to stably pour a liquid food, such as noodle sauce, dip for grilled
beef, Worcester sauce, ketchup or a drink, from a paper carton to
the last drop by spontaneous pour with, if needed, pressing both
sides of the paper carton with fingers.
[0026] 2) The straw is hygienic because the pour outlet 32 does not
drip or dribble so that the outer periphery of its opening is
hardly contaminated. After the straw 3 is pulled out, since the
hole left in the insert opening 2 is very small, it is possible to
reclose the paper carton 1 by covering the hole with a sealing
piece, etc. so as to protect the contents against rapid
deterioration in quality.
[0027] 3) Because the inside of the paper carton 1 is kept under
negative pressure during pouring, the straw 3 enables sharp cutting
of the pour at the end of dispensing.
[0028] 4) The straw 3 is useful as an ordinary one to drink a
liquid food in the paper carton 1. It ensures easy drinking because
of the inlet hole 5 in addition to the suction inlet 31.
[0029] 5) The straw 3 can be designed to smoothly pour any fluids
of different viscosities or physical properties by properly
adjusting the size of the inlet hole 5.
[0030] 6) Even if a paper carton 1 is laid down on its side, a
liquid food does not flow out because for one thing the inside of
the paper carton is under negative pressure and, for another, the
outer wall of the straw 3 nearby the insert opening 2 and the inner
wall of the insert opening 2 are kept liquid-tight.
[0031] 7) The straw 3 is applicable to a diversity of packages from
small (50 ml) to large (1000 ml) and of paper or plastics to exert
the same effects.
[0032] FIG. 3 represents schematic cross-sections illustrating a
straw according to the second embodiment. The same elements as in
the first embodiment are given the same reference characters. FIG.
3(a) shows the straw of the second embodiment inserted into a paper
carton 1 through an insert opening 2 of the carton 1. FIG. 3(b)
shows the straw pulled out from the state shown in FIG. 3(a) until
the inlet holes 5 come out of the paper carton 1.
[0033] The second embodiment has the same configuration as the
first one except that the suction inlet 31 of the first one is
replaced with a closed end 7. The second embodiment produces the
following effect in addition to the effects of the first
embodiment. The fluid food in the paper carton 1 can be shielded
from the outside air to keep freshness for an extended period of
time simply through an easy operation without using a seal for
reclosing. That is, the paper carton 1 can be reclosed (the outside
air is shut out) simply by pulling up the straw 3 until the inlet
holes 5 come out of the paper carton 1 as illustrated in FIG. 3(b).
As a result, the residual liquid food, being protected from
bacterial contamination, is kept hygienic to have improved
preservability. This feature is of great significance particularly
for seasoning liquids such as noodle sauce, dip, and soy sauce,
which could be a good source of nutrition for bacteria. Where left
to stand in open air, such liquid foods are liable to undergo
deterioration in quality and taste (putrefaction) by bacteria.
[0034] FIG. 4 provides schematic partial cross-sections of a straw
according to the third embodiment inserted into a paper carton 1.
The same elements as in the first embodiment are given the same
reference characters. The third embodiment enables pouring and
drinking through a single straw. As shown in FIG. 4, the straw is
composed of an outer tube 3a having a stopping part 4 and a single
inlet hole 5 and an inner tube 8 which is rotatably fitted into the
outer tube 3a. The inner tube 8 has an inner hole 9 slightly
smaller than the inlet hole 5 at a position distant from the
position of the stopping part 4 by a distance substantially equal
to the thickness W.
[0035] According to the third embodiment, when a liquid food in the
paper carton 1 is poured into another container, the outer tube 3a
and/or the inner tube 8 are relatively turned to interconnect the
inner hole 9 and the inlet hole 5 as shown in FIG. 4(a), and the
straw is used in the same manner to produce the same effects as in
the first embodiment. When the liquid food is sucked through the
straw, the outer tube 3a and/or the inner tube 8 are relatively
turned to slide the inlet hole 5 away from the inner hole 9 to
block the inlet hole 5 by the wall of the inner tube 8, and then
the straw is used in an ordinary manner.
[0036] FIG. 5 shows schematic partial cross-sections of a straw
according to the fourth embodiment inserted into a paper carton 1.
The same elements as in the first embodiment are given the same
reference numbers. The fourth embodiment enables pouring and
drinking through a single straw similarly to the third embodiment.
The fourth embodiment is a so-called telescopic straw (a multi-tube
straw having a outer tube and an inner tube slidable in the outer
tube). As shown in FIG. 5, the fourth embodiment comprises an outer
tube 3a, a middle tube 3b, and an inner tube 3c. The middle tube 3b
and the inner tube 3c are fitted into the outer tube 3a
longitudinally slidably. The outer tube 3a has a stopping part 4
and an inlet hole 5 at a position distant from the position of the
stopping part 4 by a distance substantially equal to the thickness
W.
[0037] When a liquid food in the paper carton 1 is poured into
another container by use of the straw of the fourth embodiment, the
middle tube 3b is slid in the direction indicated by the arrow
(downward in FIG. 5(a)) to open the inlet hole 5 as shown in FIG.
5(a). The straw is then used in the same manner as in the first
embodiment to produce the same effects as enjoyed in the first
embodiment. When the liquid food is sucked through the straw, the
middle tube 3b is slid in the direction indicated by the arrow
(upward in FIG. 5(b)) (the inner tube 3c is slid downward) to block
the inlet hole 5 by the wall of the middle tube 3b as shown in FIG.
5(b), and the straw is used in an ordinary manner.
[0038] The present invention will now be illustrated in greater
detail with reference to Example and Test Example demonstrating the
effects of the invention, but it should be understood that the
invention is not construed as being limited thereto.
EXAMPLE
[0039] As a working example of the invention, a plastic straw
having the same shape as the straw 3 shown in FIG. 1 was made. This
straw had a total length of 80 mm. A 57 mm long section from the
tip of the suction inlet 31 (the section to be inserted into a
container) was a cylindrical tube having an outer diameter of 5 mm;
a section from 57 mm to 80 mm away from that tip (the section
adapted to stick out of the container) was a cylindrical tube
having an outer diameter of 6 mm. The joint between these two tubes
different in diameter was a stopping part (shoulder) 4. The straw
had two inlet holes 5 having a diameter of 2 mm facing each other
at a position about 2 mm distant from the position of the stopping
part 4, the distance being substantially the same as the thickness
W of the container-forming material having the insert opening
2.
Comparative Example
[0040] For comparison, a straw having the same shape as the straw
of Example except for having no inlet hole 5 was made.
Test Example
[0041] Two commercially available paper cartons containing 200 ml
of milk and having an opening for straw insertion were prepared.
Before poking with a straw, the opening for straw insertion was
covered with a film, and the upper side of the opening was sealed
with a sealing piece.
[0042] The two paper cartons were placed straight up, and each of
the straws of Example and Comparative Example was inserted through
the insert opening. The wall of the straw was kept liquid-tight by
the inner wall of the insert opening and the film.
[0043] The paper cartons were held inverted with the pour outlet 32
down as shown in FIG. 2, and pouring milk was received by a cup. As
a result, the straw of Example enabled efficient emptying of the
carton to the last drop. The straw of Comparative Example, on the
other hand, had to be drawn until the suction inlet 31 came down
near the insert opening as the residual amount of milk decreased.
Being drawn to such a degree, the straw was so unstable that it was
apt to come off the container to cause milk to splash out of the
carton. It was impossible with the comparative straw to completely
empty the carton to the last drop of milk.
[0044] From these results, it is understood that the straw of the
present invention enables easy pouring the fluid and complete
emptying of a container without splashing the fluid out of the
container notwithstanding its extremely simple structure.
[0045] The straw of the present invention is not construed as being
limited to the aforementioned embodiments, and various
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention.
[0046] For example, the stopping part 4 is not particularly limited
in shape as long as it is capable of stopping insertion of the
straw 3 through the insert opening 2. That is, the shape of the
stopping part 4 includes not only the shoulder shown in FIG. 6(d),
which is adopted in the aforementioned embodiments, but a snap fit
shown in FIG. 6(a), a groove fit shown in FIG. 6(b), a stop collar
shown in FIG. 6(c), and a protrusion shown in FIG. 6(e). Of these
shapes the snap fit of FIG. 6(a) and the groove fit of FIG. 6(b)
are effective in preventing fall-off of the straw through the
insert opening.
[0047] The inlet hole 5 is not particularly limited in number and
shape as long as it is distant from the position of the stopping
part 4 by a distance substantially equal to the thickness W of the
container-forming material having the insert opening 2 (the depth
of the insert opening 2).
[0048] A part or the whole length of the section between the
stopping part 4 and the pour outlet 32 may be bellows 10. The
bellows 10 render the straw extensible and flexible and enable
arbitrary positioning of the pour outlet 32 of the straw. This will
make it easier to transfer or dispense the fluid food of the
container 1 into another container or to drink the fluid food
through the straw.
Industrial Applicability
[0049] Simply inserted into a container filled with a fluid food,
the straw of the present invention enables pouring the fluid food
to the last drop, does not drip, prevents the outer periphery of
its open end from being contaminated to keep the hygiene, and
enables easy re-closure of the container.
[0050] Where the straw has a two- or three-tube structure, it is
made capable of opening and closing its connecting hole and enables
both pouring and drinking with only this straw.
* * * * *