Novelty drinking straw

• US 3,957,202 A
• Filed: 09/17/1975
• Issued: 05/18/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James R. Hornsby Jr
• Original Assignee: James R. Hornsby Jr
• Inventors: Hornsby, James R. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ward, Jr., Robert S.
• Application Number:
  US05/614,310
• Time in Patent Office: 244 Days
• Field of Search: 239/33, 239/16, 239/17, 239/24, 46/1 R, 426/78, 426/81, 426/85, 426/82, 426/89, 426/104, 426/135
• US Class Current: 239/33
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 21/182 with means for amusing or giving information to the user

Abstract

A novelty drinking straw has a layer of liquid crystalline material disposed thereon. As liquid is drawn through the straw, the color of said liquid crystalline material changes.

Claims

1. A novelty drinking straw comprising:

an elongated tubular member having a central bore extending therethrough,

said tubular member having an exterior surface;

a layer of liquid crystalline material disposed upon at least a portion of said exterior surface; and

a transparent membrane covering said liquid crystalline layer to prevent said layer from contacting a liquid in which said member is immersed for the purpose of orally drawing said liquid through said bore.

2. A novelty drinking straw as defined in claim 1 wherein said liquid crystalline material is color changeable when the temperature of the liquid drawn through the straw varies from the ambient temperature.

3. A novelty drinking straw as defined in claim 2 wherein said membrane is adhered to said exterior surface at two spaced locations along said member and wherein said liquid crystalline layer extends between said spaced locations.

4. A novelty drinking straw as defined in claim 3 wherein said liquid crystalline layer extends continuously along said exterior surface between said spaced locations.

5. A novelty drinking straw as defined in claim 3 wherein said liquid crystalline layer is discontinuous along said exterior surface between said spaced locations.

6. A novelty drinking straw as defined in claim 5 wherein said liquid crystalline layer extends helically about said exterior surface.

7. A novelty drinking straw comprising an elongated tubular member having a central bore extending fully therethrough and a layer of liquid crystalline material disposed upon said member.