Patent Application
20240391625
Honey straws, also known as honey sticks, are convenient straw-like containers filled with honey. Typically, the honey straws are made with all-natural honey. They are known to be a tasty treat, but they also provide a great source of energy.
Some honey straws contain home mixtures also made with natural fruit, flavors, and spices. They naturally contain antioxidants and are exposed to pollen, which aids users to minimize allergy systems.
There are many ways to enjoy honey straws. One can use the honey straws in tea. In this regard, a honey straw may contain a teaspoon of honey, which is the perfect amount for sweetening one's tea. Also, users may enjoy the honey straws as a snack.
The present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Furthermore, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
The exemplary straw filler system 100 comprises a straw filler device 102 and a metal box 105. Operating components (not shown) of the straw filler system 100 are contained in the metal box 105. The components are described herein. The straw filler device 102 is coupled to the metal box 105 via one or more bolts 113.
The metal box 105 may be cubical or rectangular cuboid. However, other shapes of boxes may be used in other embodiments.
In one embodiment, coupled to the outside of the metal box 105 is a button 104. The button 104, when actuated, initiates operation of the straw filler system 100. While a button is shown in
The straw filler device 102 comprises a fill cap 101 that is sealed atop a circular, cylindrical base 107. The cap 101 may be shaped like a conical frustrum as shown. While the fill cap 101 is shown as a conical frustrum, the fill cap 101 may be other shapes in other embodiments.
At the circular top of the fill cap 101 is an opening 114. The opening 114 is configured for receiving a viscous material (not shown), e.g., honey. In this regard, an operator (not shown) pours the viscous material into a cavity (not shown) defined by the fill cap 101 and the base 107.
The base 107 is substantially cylindrical and has a curved surface 108 extending around the periphery of the base 107. The curved surface 108 comprises a plurality of openings 106. The openings 106 receive straws 110 inserted therein, thereby providing access to channels (not shown). The channels direct the viscous material from the cavity defined by the fill cap 101 and the base 107 through the straws 110 using centrifugal force. In this regard, the straw filler device 102 is axially rotated, and viscous material within the cavity defined by the fill cap 101 and the base 107 travels from the cavity into the straws 110 through the channels.
The straws 110 remain in the openings 106 during operation when viscous material is being provided to the straws 110. Thus, the straws 110 are protected during operation. Protection of the straws 110 mitigates the risk that straws 110 damage or brake lose during operation.
The straw filler device 102 is rotatably coupled to the to the top of the metal box 105 via a motor driven hub 103. In this regard, within the metal box 105 is a motor (not shown) that is coupled to the motor driven hub 103. When the motor driven hub 103 is rotated axially by the motor, the straw filler device 102 rotates accordingly.
In operation, a plurality of empty straws 110 is inserted in the openings 106 peripherally along the curved surface 108. The viscous material (e.g., honey) is poured into the opening 114 at the top of the fill cap 101 into an internal cavity (not shown).
An operator (not shown) actuates the button 104, which activates the motor within the metal box. The motor quickly turns the straw filler device 102, and through centrifugal force, the straws 110 are quickly filled with viscous material (e.g., hone) from the internal cavity.
When turned on, the motor 200 activates a motor 201. In one embodiment, the motor 201 is a gear-driven motor. However, other types of motors may be used in other embodiments.
When activated, the motor 201 rotates the motor hub 103, which is fixedly coupled to the straw filler device 102. As the axle motor hub 103 rotates, the straw filler device 102 rotates therewith.
Through centrifugal force, viscous material (e.g., honey) contained in a cavity 202 formed by the conical fill cap 101 (
Openings 106 on the periphery curved surface 108 receive straws 110 (
Cavity 307 comprises a convex floor 302. In the center of the convex floor 302 is a circular top base 305 having circular openings 303 therein. Four openings are shown; however, there may be fewer or more openings in other embodiments.
In operation, the viscous material (e.g., honey) is poured through the conical opening 114 (
The base 107 comprises a plurality of precision-machined channels 404. Only two precision-machined channels are shown in
On an outside end of the precision-machined channel is an O-ring 400 that prevents viscous material from leaking when the straws 110 are being filled. Note that an O-ring is a mechanical gasket in the shape of a torus, and it is a loop of elastomer with a round cross-section. Used here, the O-ring 400 prevents viscous material from escaping as it acts as a sealing device. Because it is squeezed between two surfaces, it takes up the clearance and prevents any viscous material from being released.
In one embodiment, the base 107 is cylindrical having an external curved surface 108. Openings 106 are machined into the external curved surface 108. The openings 106 allow access to the channels 404 (
