Article For Moving a Medium to be Eaten and/or Drunk

The invention relates to a consumer article for moving a substance to be eaten and/or drunk in a substance holder.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a consumer article.

In U.S. Pat. No. 1,254,115, a drinking straw is described to which closures are attached for retaining medium stored in the straw, for substances to be dissolved in a liquid. The closures can be pulled loose whereupon the substances to be dissolved can be emptied into, and then be dissolved in the liquid. Then, the liquid can be ingested via the emptied straw. However, in many cases, the storage space in the described drinking straw is insufficient. Furthermore, the material and the closure are not suitable for a secure closure of the straw, which is detrimental to the shelf-life and, hence, the safety of the stored medium. Also, inconvenient rests of attachment means or rests of the closures can remain behind on the rim of the drinking opening of the described straw.

The object of the invention is to provide an article for moving a substance to be consumed in a substance holder in which medium can be stored.

At least a part of this object and other objects are achieved with an article for moving a substance to be consumed in a substance holder, which article preferably has a substantially elongated shape, which article comprises and/or forms a container that is at least partly filled with a substance other than air, to be mixed with the substance for consumption mentioned.

With such an article, storage space can be obtained for medium to be stored in the article. The substances mentioned can, in principle, comprise any medium other than air, preferably to be mixed with a liquid, for instance certain (mixing) powders, stimulants (taurine, caffeine) mixing additives, spirits, aromas, cream, sugar et cetera. With the storage space of the container, as a rule, the user can mix an amount of additive more satisfying to him/her with the medium by means of an article according to the invention.

In one embodiment of the article, a widening of the cross-section of the article can offer more storage space while the length remains the same, and also have a communicative function, for instance, with the aid of the shape of the container, a brand or mascot can be communicated. A widening of the cross-section can further, upon drinking, effect a swirl in the liquid both in the article and around it, so that mixing is improved even more.

An article according to the invention can be provided with at least one openable closure, formed integrally therewith. With integrally formed closures, the number of production and/or assembly steps of the article can be advantageously reduced. Further, problems for attaching the closures to the article resulting from, for instance, the thin material of the article, can be prevented by forming the closures integrally with the article. Thus, in principle, in a favourable and relatively simple manner, a relatively well-sealed closure can be obtained. In this manner, also, a more secure closure is achieved with which, for instance, the shelf-life of the medium can be better guaranteed. As referred to herein, an “openable closure” is understood to include, in principle, a break-off, tear-off, pull-off, a removable, dissolvable closure, et cetera. The article will, in principle, be opened at the closures with the aid of the hands and/or fingers. If the closures were dissolvable in the liquid, they could be opened without using the fingers, by merely dissolving the closures in water. An openable closure can be opened by the user in a simple and user-friendly manner. The article may be provided with integrated auxiliary means for opening the article at the closures, such as, for instance, a local reduction of material or a clamping connection that can be opened and closed. The integrally formed, openable closures can also be used in an advantageous manner with articles having a more uniform cross-section.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the article is manufactured with the aid of a blow molding and/or suction blow molding process, in particular a blow-fill-seal process. With this, it is possible to locally increase the cross-section of the article, which, as a rule, is more difficult with generally known production methods of articles, such as winding, or even impossible, with extrusion. In addition, blow molding or suction blow molding, at least a mold to be used thereto, is often less expensive than alternative production methods with large design freedom, such as injection molding, in particular because no special core(s), such as a collapsible core, need to be used. Here, it is advantageous that blow molding or suction blow molding is a proven technique for introducing liquids into a container and for integrally providing a closure such as with, for instance, ampoules for sterile substances. A known production method with respect thereto is the (suction) blow-fill-seal process. A desired plastic shape is may be drawn and/or blown into a mold and then filled with the medium, whereupon the “filling end” is drawn or squeezed tight by, for instance, separate mold parts, while being heated. Also because of the fact that this blow molding or suction blow molding process has already been used in the production of ampoules, filling and producing articles according to the invention can be done aseptically. Here, at least the inside and/or content or the article is aseptic, which will increase safety with respect to the health of the user. Also, the article can be supplied so that it is completely aseptic until use, for instance by packaging it in an aseptic manner, directly or not directly after, or during the blow molding or suction blow molding process.

With blow molding or suction blow molding, the closures can be sealed so as to be advantageously breakable, as is already done with ampoules. With an embodiment according to the invention, preferably, at one or two ends, break-off closures are provided. A blow molding or suction blow molding mold can then be provided at one or two sides with, for instance, separate mold parts for sealing. Hence, the production means for an article according to the invention can be realized with relatively low development costs.

Further, blow molding or suction blow molding is suitable for connecting several containers so that they can be broken off. The articles can therefore be interconnected in a strip of articles so they can be broken off (torn off, et cetera). This brings several advantages, such as less expensive (mass) production and more favourable transport.

For opening the closure, it is advantageous if the closure is provided with a face. The fingers, for instance thumb and index finger, can favourably take hold of the closure and, for instance, tear it along an edge with little effort. In addition, the face can be advantageously used for providing print or embossing, in the form of, for instance, form variations, color variations, decorations, mascots, advertising, information, et cetera, as, to this end, one can shape the surface of the closure as desired. Any method is, in principle, suitable thereto, such as, for instance, in-mould labelling. This also applies to the container, so that, in a favourable manner, there is space for the provision of prints or embossing.

In an advantageous embodiment, the article has the shape and function of a drinking straw. Here, in a preferred embodiment, the straw is provided, after opening, with an ergonomic drinking rim, so that the user can comfortably use the straw. With the known drinking straw with closure, a part of the closing means (adhesive substance, for instance,) can remain adhered to the straw, or unpleasant edges or projections can be formed at the drinking opening when opening the closure.

Like with the ampoule, it is possible with articles according to the invention, to choose a suitable material and/or suitable form for using the article in a comfortable manner. The drinking opening of the straw can for instance be provided just before a closure with a drinking rim rounded off inwardly. When the user closes his/her mouth around the straw, thus, contact with any irregularities at the rim can be prevented. Naturally, other manners for forming an ergonomic drinking rim, such as, for instance, softening material locally, also fall within scope of the invention.

In a favourable embodiment of an article according to the invention, the container comprises at least one substantially relatively narrow part. With it, the medium may remain “suspended” in the container, also when a bottom closure of the article is torn loose when this is not yet the case with the top closure. To this end, the cross-section at the bottom of a filled part of the article is preferably smaller than a, possibly too wide, cross-section of the wide part of a container. With a narrowed part at the bottom of the article that may be between 1 to 10 cm long, although it should not be delimited to this, the article can be prevented from emptying directly after the bottom closure has been torn away.

In a favourable embodiment, the article is provided with a coupling piece. With it, the article can be attached to, for instance, a beverage holder, such as a bottle or glass or the like, so that for instance liquid and additive can be presented simultaneously for the user's benefit. In a favourable manner, this provides ease of presentation and transport. Coupling pieces can comprise, for instance, suspension means, wrapper means, adhesive means, et cetera.

In a further embodiment, the article can be designed as stirrer element or spoon, fork or other piece of cutlery.

In an advantageous embodiment of an article according to the invention, the article, in particular the container, comprises several compartments, for instance for sugar and milk. In this manner, several mixtures, preferences and/or presentations of the medium present can be provided.

The invention can further be provided with an element for mixing the additive and the liquid well. This element may comprise a reinforcement, an extra projection, a spoon-shape, a screw, et cetera. Several known or unknown elements can be suitable to this end within the scope of the invention.

For securing the article, at least the content thereof, and/or keeping it at the desired temperature and/or prolonging the shelf-life of the content thereof, the article can advantageously be built up from several layers. This can also be realized relatively easily through blow molding or suction blow molding.

In clarification of the invention, exemplary embodiments of an article, method and use according to the invention will be explained in further detail on the basis of the drawing. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 schematically shows, in front view, a drinking straw according to the invention with a logo;

FIG. 2 schematically shows, in a number of sub-steps, the use of a drinking straw according to the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a part of a drinking straw according to the invention with drinking opening;

FIG. 4 schematically shows, in a number of sub-steps, a blow molding process according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a part of a drinking straw according to the invention with a break-off edge according to the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a drinking straw according to the invention with several compartments;

FIG. 7 shows a drinking straw according to the invention with suspension means and crushing function;

FIG. 8 shows a drinking straw according to the invention with an element for stirring;

FIG. 9 shows a drinking straw according to the invention with re-openable and resealable closures;

FIG. 10 shows a strip of drinking straws according to the invention;

FIG. 11 shows several drinking straws according to the invention;

FIG. 12 shows a drinking straw according to the invention with a curved longitudinal axis;

FIG. 13 shows a drinking straw according to the invention with an integrated handle in the closure;

FIG. 14
a shows, in front view, a spoon with a closure;

FIG. 14
b shows, in side view, a spoon with a closure;

FIG. 14
c shows, in front view, a spoon with two closures;

FIG. 14D shows, in front view, a stirrer element with a closure;

FIG. 14E shows, in front view, a stirrer element with two closures;

FIG. 14F shows, in front view, a stirrer element with two compartments.

In this description, identical or corresponding parts have identical or corresponding reference numerals. In the drawing, exemplary embodiments are shown merely by way of example. The elements of the article used therein are mentioned merely by way of example and should not be construed to be limitative in any manner. Other parts of the article too can be utilized within the framework of the present invention.

An exemplary embodiment of a drinking straw 1 according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. This straw 1 has a container 2 and closures 3. With closures 3, container 2 is sealed off, preferably hermetically, in particular approximately at the location of break-off edges 4. In the space of the container 2, a medium 5 is included. This medium 5 is intended, for instance, to be mixed and/or dissolved in a liquid. Here, liquid is understood to include, basically, any liquid that can be ingested via a straw 1, for instance water, soft drinks, but also (liquid) substances with a higher viscosity such as, for instance, milkshakes, et cetera. Medium 5 is preferably a liquid, in the form of, for instance, a flavour, liqueur or medicine, but can also comprise a solid, such as a powder. The invention is also eminently suited in combination with stimulants such as, for instance, vitamins, minerals, taurine, and/or caffeine as medium. It is also possible to provide a gas in the straw 1, such as, for instance, dinitrogen oxide, which, at certain occasions, can be ingested for instance with, or in addition to a drink.

For emptying the medium 5 from the drinking straw 1, first, for instance, closure 3B is torn off along break-off edge 4B. This tearing off may be done by making a tearing movement with the fingers, or, for instance, a twisting or breaking movement. After tearing off closure 3B, medium 5 can be emptied from the drinking straw into, for instance, a liquid holder, or be ingested directly. When the medium 5 comprises a liquid, it will flow from the straw 1 only when the other closure 3A is at least partly pulled loose/torn loose along break-off edge 4A of the straw 1. This is illustrated in steps in FIG. 2. In such a case, after the first closure 3B is torn off, the straw 1 can be held above or in the liquid holder before the other closure 3A is torn loose, so that the liquid medium 5 is advantageously emptied directly into the liquid holder 6. In this manner, spilling can be prevented. Then, the medium 5 mixes with the liquid such as beverage 7 already present in the liquid holder 6, or it dissolves therein, which can be stimulated through stirring.

A highly favourable effect of the increased cross section d1 of the container 2 is that with it, swirls can be formed in the liquid 7 and/or the medium 5 so that mixing is improved.

After opening and/or removing closures 3, the drinking straw 1 can be used in a user-friendly manner as conventional drinking straw 1. Naturally, other manners are possible too, such as, for instance, emptying the medium directly from the straw 1 into the mouth.

A closure 3 may be provided with information such as a logo, brand, decorations, colour, et cetera, as can be seen in FIG. 1. To that end, it is advantageous when the closure 3 comprises a surface for providing such information. When, additionally, the closure 3 is also relatively flat, it can be taken hold of relatively easily, which is favourable to tearing loose the closure 3.

At the container 2, the straw 1 has an increased cross-section in relation to the cross-section d2 of the straw 1 adjacent the drinking opening 6, as can be seen in FIG. 1, with which additional storage space is created in the container. Here, cross-sections d1 and d2 extend perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 1 of the drinking straw 1. In principle, this longitudinal axis 1 extends from one end opening 8 to and end opening 8 at the opposite side. With curved straws, the longitudinal axis 1 will also be curved, and with spiral-shaped straws for instance, it will follow, in principle, the center of the spiral. With the local increase of the cross-section d1, a larger amount of medium 5 in one straw 1 of approximately standard length can be achieved, and drinking opening 8 can maintain a standard ergonomic cross-section d2. To that end, in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, narrow parts 2A and/or 2B are provided. Narrow parts 2A and/or 2B have a smaller cross-section than d1, so that the user can close his/her mouth around the drinking straw 1 over a substantial distance as regards the ease of use. Here, it is highly advantageous when the narrow part 2B extends over a sufficient distance, as in that case, the liquid remains “suspended” in the straw if the second closure 3A is torn loose, as already described earlier in this text. If an increased cross-section such as d1 were to be too close to the break-off edge 4B, the liquid would already flow from the drinking straw 1 when the first closure 3B is torn loose.

In an advantageous embodiment, the straw 1 is designed such that drinking opening 8 does not have a rim 9 that is not unpleasant to the user due to, for instance, sharp (tear) edges that can remain behind. As is illustrated in FIG. 3, the straw 1 can be provided with edges 9 at the drinking opening 8, formed inward in an ergonomic manner. In FIG. 3, by way of illustration, also, a closure 3A is represented, in dotted lines.

Drinking straws 1 with openable closures as described hereinabove can highly advantageously be produced by means of blow molding or suction blow molding. With this, preferably, plastic drinking straws 1 can be formed, filled and hermetically sealed off in an aseptic mold 15, so that basically, when compared to other, generally known plastic production methods, a number of production steps are skipped. With blow molding or suction blow molding, filled drinking straws 1 can be provided in a manner that is highly reliable and efficient to the user. A schematic example of a number of steps of a possible blow molding or suction blow molding process according to the invention is shown in FIG. 4. In the following explanation, some relevant aspects will be singled out, and already known or less relevant aspects of this process may not be described, or less extensively.

With blow molding or suction blow molding, in principle, a hollow parison 10 is introduced into the mold, while this expands against the mold walls through increase of the pressure in the hollow parison 10. Often, first, extrusion of the parison 10 takes place. After the parison 10 has been brought at the location of the mold parts 11, 12, 13, for instance the end of the parison is squeezed off with the aid of the mold parts 13, so that the pressure in the parison 10 can be built up and the parison 10 can expand against mold parts 12, also closed. The container 2 is formed by mold parts 12, and the closures of the drinking straw 1 are formed by parts 11, 13. Mold parts 11, 13, or separately designed mold parts may also be designed for advantageously forming break-off edges 4 for the drinking straw 1, as with the blow molding process for ampoules. In a blow molding process according to the invention however, at least two closures 3 with break-off edges 4 can be formed. Already before the drinking straw 1 is filled, closure 3 is formed with the aid of mold parts 13. Then, via a blow pin 14, the pressure is built up in the part of the parison forming the container 2, so that it expands against the walls of the mold parts 12. Thereupon, via this blow pin 14, the medium 5 is emptied into the drinking straw 1. After filling, the other closure 3 is formed with the aid of mold parts 11, so that, basically, the filled container 2 is hermetically sealed off. By means of the blow molding process, several types of break-off closures 3 can be realized such as, for instance, tear-off closures, break-off closures or twist-off closures 3. With blow molding, in a favourable manner, basically, resealable closures can be formed too.

A break-off edge 4 can be formed in a known manner. As can be seen in FIG. 5, this may be a local reduction in material at the location of the break-off edge 4. With such break-off edges 4, by twisting or pulling a closure 3, they come loose from the container 2, and a passage opening or drinking opening 17 is formed.

Further, FIG. 6 shows an embodiment according to the invention wherein the straw 1, or at least the container 2, is divided into several compartments 2A, 2B, so that the user can mix several additives, or can even, optionally, empty or dose these separately. The compartments can for instance comprise approximately the same, but also, different volumes. Mixing certain beverages can be simplified as the user is already handed the relative amounts.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a drinking straw 1 according to the invention with a coupling piece 18. The coupling piece 18 comprises a sort of suspension means with which the straw 1 can be suspended from, for instance, a glass 6 so that a glass of liquid can be presented more or less combined with an additive.

The drinking straw 1 shown in FIG. 1 is also provided with a crusher element 19, so that the drinking straw can also have a crushing function, for, for instance, crushing/pressing a part of a citrus fruit in a drink. In addition to a crushing function, several favourable functions for drinking substances can be united in the drinking straw 1, such as, for instance, an element 20 for stirring, as shown in FIG. 8. Such an element 20 can comprise, for instance, a screw 20, a local reinforcement of the drinking straw 1, a spoon-like shape, et cetera.

In FIG. 9, an embodiment of a drinking straw 1A is shown in cross-section with, for instance, openable and resealable closures 3. Here, the straw needs not be integrally filled with medium 5.

It is also advantageous to produce squeezable plastic drinking straws 1, from soft plastic. With it, it is possible to dose from the straw 1, in combination with compartments 2A, 2B or in combination with, for instance, resealable drinking straws 1A. Blow molding or suction blow molding is a highly suitable method for manufacturing squeezable drinking straws 1 in a controlled manner.

FIG. 10 shows a strip of drinking straws 1, with the drinking straws 1 connected to each other for breaking off via connecting edges 22. Such a strip can be blow molded or suction blow molded with one mold, so that high production numbers of drinking straws 1 can be achieved with relatively low costs. This may also provide convenience as regards transport and presentation.

FIG. 11 shows a spiral-shaped drinking straw 1 and an ◯-shaped drinking straw 1. With these drinking straws 1, the cross-section d1 at parts of the container 2 is, in fact, also greater than the cross-section d2 at the (drinking) opening 8, if both cross-sections d1 and d2 extended perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 1 of the drinking straw 1. Here too, the container 2 comprises relatively much storage space with respect to the known drinking straws 1 with containers 2. Further, the ◯-shaped drinking straw 1 can be coupled to, for instance, a beverage holder such as a bottle so that the ◯-shape is, in fact, a coupling piece 18. The ◯-shape may be pulled over the neck of a bottle while the arms 24 are laid along the bottle by means of indentations 23. Thus, presentation and transport of the assembly of a beverage holder and drinking straw 1 are simplified. It can further be seen that the drinking straw 1 can be supplied in a package 25, for instance in a transparent package 25. This can be combined in a favourable manner with the blow molding and suction blow molding process as the aseptically produced drinking straw 1 can then also be packaged to be aseptic, so that the outside of the drinking straw 1 can remain aseptic until the package is opened.

In FIG. 12, a drinking straw 1 according to the invention is indicated having a curved longitudinal axis 1 for drinking more easily. FIG. 13 shows a drinking straw according to the invention wherein the closure 3B comprises an aperture 26 for engaging around the neck of a bottle.

In another embodiment, an article 1 according to the invention is designed for moving a consumable substance 7, such as shown in FIGS. 14A-F. FIGS. 14A and B show, for instance, an article 1 having the shape of a spoon 1. This spoon 1 is provided with one closure 3B that can be torn off. Here, at the location of a tear-off edge 4B, an opening is formed through which the medium 5 can flow, preferably such that it drops into a holder 6 with a substance 7, for instance coffee, tea, ice, yogurt or a different substance. By, for instance, squeezing the container 2, the medium 5 flows through the opening, and by, for instance, releasing it again, the medium 5 stops flowing through the opening. To this end, also, an enlargement 2C can be provided as can be seen in FIG. 14C. This enlargement 2C can serve as extra storage space as well as, inter alia, a squeeze possibility. The spoon can also be provided with a widening 2D, for instance for improving the stirring capacity, for extra print surface, for use as a scoop and/or for extra storage space.

With embodiments of the article 1, also, dosing can take place, with the aid of, for instance, dosing lines 27 or other manners of indication. Through variation of the squeezing of the container, the medium 5 will flow in a varying manner from the container 2 and thus, the medium 5 can be dosed.

FIG. 14C shows an embodiment of such a scoop with two closures 3A, 3B, so that after the second closure 4A or 4B is torn off, virtually the entire content 5 of the container 2 drops from the article 1, preferably into a substance holder 6. In this manner, fairly accurate dosing can take place. Naturally, embodiments designed as stirrer element 1 are possible too, as can be seen in FIGS. 14D and 14E, while they are provided with one or two closures 4A, 4B, according to the same principle as explained hereinabove. It is also possible to integrate several compartments in the article 1, as can be seen in FIG. 14F. Here, for instance milk and sugar can be considered.

In this way, different embodiments of an article 1 can have functions such as a coffee stirrer with milk and/or sugar holder, ice-cream scoop and aroma holder, et cetera. The medium 5 can comprise, for instance, liquid chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, fruit sauce, et cetera for ice cream or yogurt. An unlimited amount of embodiments of an article 1 is conceivable. They may take the function and/or form of, inter alia, stirrers, spoons, scoops, bottles et cetera. An enlargement 2C may be provided in the form of a small tub and/or small bottle for supporting the double function and/or for placing an additional print. Also, embodiments of the article 1 are substantially manufactured from only one material, which is advantageous, in particular environmentally friendly, with respect to, for instance, tubs with milk which are generally manufactured from several materials, such as plastic with aluminum. An article 1 can be manufactured inexpensively and so as to be disposable. The articles 1 are not necessarily provided with an enlargement 2C and/or widening 2D in the container 2, the articles 1 can for instance have a substantially straight shape.

These and many comparable variations, and combinations thereof, are understood to fall within the framework of the invention as outlined by the claims. Naturally, different aspects of the different embodiments and/or combinations thereof can be combined with each other and exchanged within the framework of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments mentioned should not be understood to be limitative.

Number	Date	Country	Kind
1030563	Dec 2005	NL	national
1031129	Feb 2006	NL	national

Article For Moving a Medium to be Eaten and/or Drunk

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