The invention relates to drinking straws; more particularly, novelty straws with combined display areas and prize delivery systems that can easily be used to pump liquids into the mouth of the user without the use of mouth suction.
The invention relates to an improved drinking straw device that uses a pumping action to deliver liquid to the mouth of the user. Additionally, this improved pump drinking straw incorporates a display area with surfaces for messages, including prize delivery, which are integral to the pumping action device.
The basic drinking straw is a linear and hollow tube designed to transport liquid from a vessel to the mouth of the user by virtue of a vacuum created by the user sucking at the receiving end. Drinking straws that are designed in novel and amusing shapes and colors have long been known. An example of one such novel shape is a hard plastic straw with a series of loops so that the liquid may be observed progressing through the loops as the user drinks the liquid. More complex entertainment devices used in drinking straws include gearing or turbines in contact with the liquid or affiliated with the movement of liquid to turn the gearing or turbine blades. The turbine power, generated by the liquid or air, may serve to display the turning gears, blades and/or move a fanciful object for amusement and entertainment. However, these designs are generally limited to serve as amusement only.
Additionally, mechanical means to transfer liquid from a vessel, including methods to effectuate the transfer, are well known in the art. Prior attempts include uses in sporting hydration devices, such as a squeezable sports bottle with a resealable cap and tubing so that a bicyclist can aim the liquid in his mouth without the use of hands. Other sports uses incorporate a liquid reservoir, including a canteen, worn by the user with a tube connected to the reservoir, again designed to allow the user to aim the liquid into her mouth for convenience. One such sporting water reservoir device with tubing includes a squeeze bulb to assist in the movement of liquid from the reservoir, as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,729 to Drzymkowski. Yet another prior attempt includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,385 granted to Klegerman et al., which teaches of a multi-walled, replaceable filter, portable water filtering device for use at public drinking fountains or other public water supplies. Rarely is this equipment intended for disposal after a single use nor would it be cost effective to place this equipment next to paper napkins and typical drinking straws for the public in a retail or food service setting.
In terms of prize delivery, few prior attempts at distributing both advertising and prizes on liquid transfer devices are found. However, one such attempt, as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,279 and granted to Howes, consists of a prize (cash or coupon) or notice of such a prize wound in a generally spiral form about or in a drinking straw, either inserted into the drinking straw itself (to be removed before the straw is used to drink liquid) or printed on the drinking straw and covered by a sliding cylindrical housing. However, because drinking straws are used in extremely wet environments, unwinding and removing a rolled piece of paper may be troublesome if the paper becomes wet and prone to tear or, if the sheet is made of a plastic or waxy material, adhesion and capillary action could prevent removal of the prize or notice. Additionally, insertion of a removable device into a drinking straw or a slideable housing may prove a choking hazard, even with safeguards. This is especially dangerous for young children.
A liquid storage and delivery system is taught by U.S. Pat. No. 4,505,310 granted to Schneider. While Schneider's device does disclose a system for delivering liquid by a hand pump, it is adapted for use by persons wearing protective gear such as gas masks. Thus, it does not disclose a means for pumping liquids out of an everyday drinking straw. Also, the Schneider system is complicated and unsuitable for use in inexpensive, disposable applications. The Schneider system is, thus, unsuitable for a novelty drinking straw application.
A beverage straw that includes an area for displaying messages is taught by U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,518 granted to Martina et al. While this device discloses a flat surface for conveying messages, the device contains many elements that make it unattractive for inexpensive mass production. First, the device relies upon a plurality of channels or conduits in order to pass the liquid. Thus, it is more expensive to manufacture than conventional drinking straws, which have only one channel, and is not easily adaptable to conventional drinking cup covers that are adapted for conventional drinking straws. Also, while the device allows an area for displaying markings, the area is not conducive to attaching a novelty pump mechanism or other three dimensional novelty object.
A therapeutic drinking straw machine is taught by U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,268 granted to Katzenberger. Katzenberger's device allows swallowing-impaired persons to consume beverages by attaching a pump mechanism to a channel for passing liquids. The device is relatively elaborate and, thus, expensive to produce and unsuitable to mass produce items for distribution by retailers for little or no charge. Also, the device includes many limitations and requires many parts, such as cylindrical wells and long levers, make it suitable for therapeutic purposes but not for less intensive novelty and disposable use. Further, the shape and complexity of the parts in Katzenberger's device make it unsuitable for displaying information or prize delivery systems at the pump lever. Thus, the device is unsuited for inexpensive mass production and novelty purposes which are often desired by retailers.
There is a long-felt need for a drinking straw that may provide entertainment, relaxation, and even amusement with a pumping action. Additionally, there is a need for an improved drinking straw that can effectively, reliably, and safely deliver prizes and/or display messages with a combined display area and prize delivery system. A reasonably priced novelty drinking straw that could provide entertainment as well as deliver prizes, or notice of prizes, is needed for marketing promotions. This is especially evident in fast food chains that are interested in using advertising, game pieces or prizes to increase or shift the market share in their favor or even create new market opportunities, customer excitement, and profits.
It is an object of the invention to provide entertainment, relaxation and even amusement to the user of the pump drinking straw.
Another object of the invention is to provide an effective, reliable and safe drinking straw prize and/or message delivery.
A further object of the invention is to provide a method to transfer liquid from a drinking vessel to the mouth of the user of the pump drinking straw without the need for mouth suction.
Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and convenient method to filter liquids contained in drinking vessels or other vessels.
Yet another object of the invention is to create a desire in the consumer to purchase either the pump drinking straw or a beverage because the consumer desires a pump drinking straw.
A further object of the invention is to provide a safe way to control flow of beverages by providing a consumption means nearly independent from unexpected and sudden movements, including sudden lunging movements as experienced in vehicle travel, to help to eliminate spills, especially painful and potentially hazardous spills.
Another object of the invention is the manufacturing ability to be readily changed or adaptable to marketing needs.
A further object of the invention is to effectively conceal messages of the pump drinking straw until the desired time or occurrence transpires.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.
The invention is a novelty pump straw with a combined display area and message delivery system 1 comprising an improved drinking straw 2 with a display area 3 and pump 4 whereby the user manually hand-pumps liquid from a cup 5 to the mouth of the user. Enjoying one's favorite beverage with this novel device can be relaxing, exhilarating and fun.
As shown in
Referring now to
The display area 3 is designed to convey messages. The messages may include such things as political slogans, game pieces, coupons, logos, cartoon characters, advertisements, prizes, fortunes, or any other type or category of message or information that may be placed in the display area. Notably, with the increased competition between fast food establishments, the use of games and prizes has increased in order to entertain and reward customers as well as increase business. The pump device of the pump drinking straw may contain a prize message delivery system 8 as a method to distribute prizes, or at least the chance of winning a prize. Preferably, the prize message delivery system would use an opaque device designed to conceal a prize. Some of the various methods to distribute the prize messages on or in the display area include a peel-away flap revealing the message underneath, a scratch-off surface again revealing the message underneath or a heat-sensitive surface designed to reveal a prize message upon subjection to a predetermined temperature range.
Referring generally now to
The previously described versions of the present invention have many advantages, including unique pumping actions as well as message and prize delivery. Thus, the problems that may be associated with previous attempts at drinking straws message delivery are solved.
Another advantage of the invention is the pump action of a drinking straw that eliminates the user from having to suck liquids through a straw. This may be especially helpful when the user is drinking a thick or viscous beverage, which can be difficult and tiring to drink through a straw.
Yet another advantage of the invention includes the entertaining and relaxing effect of using the pumping device to drink a beverage.
A further advantage of the invention is a novel, safe and cost effective method of advertising and/or delivering messages. The messages may be displayed outright upon immediate use of the pump drinking straw or the messages may be less obvious, including semi-permanently hidden from plain view and designed to be uncovered at a later time.
Another advantage is that the invention is likely safer and more reliable at delivering an intact prize than other drinking straw delivery systems due to the fact that small, removable parts are not required.
Yet another advantage of this invention is the potential cost savings of this use of a prize delivery system. Many businesses, especially fast food establishments, have widely used the peel tabs or surfaces removable with scratching to reveal the prize message underneath. These existing methods may be used with the present invention.
Still, a further advantage of this invention includes the ability to prominently display logos, word marks, cartoon characters, or other designs with a pump drinking straw. The novelty of the design in the design area incorporated into the pump drinking straw may make the invention a desirable keepsake, such as a memento from a theme park, specialty drink or destination vacation spot. The stand-alone toy embodiment increases the desirability of the invention.
It is important to note, however, that the invention does not require that all these advantages need be incorporated into every embodiment of the invention.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Other embodiments of the invention will become apparent according to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications may be made to the invention herein without deviating from the concepts and spirit of the invention set forth herein. Additionally, combinations of embodiments are possible such as the whistle while you drink and the stand-alone toy embodiment for a noise-making toy or a pump in the handle and filter embodiments to filter out coffee grounds from hot coffee. Further combinations may include a plurality of pump devices in the same general location or in different locations on the pump drinking straw. For example, the pump drinking straw may include an air pump device and liquid pump device in a modified squeeze bulb embodiment so that the liquid pump device is housed within or adjacent to an air pump device in which both pumps are activated with the same squeezing action by the user.
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, other embodiments or versions will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, variations of additional pumps are possible, such as a battery-operated pump or greatly increasing the dimensions of the pump drinking straw for recreational consumption of increased quantities of beverages. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims and the concepts taught therein should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments contained herein.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/400,318 filed on Mar. 27, 2003 and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/368,139, filed on Mar. 29, 2002.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 10400318 | Mar 2003 | US |
Child | 11370539 | Mar 2006 | US |