Straw with angled output

• US 7,040,547 B1
• Filed: 09/20/2004
• Issued: 05/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Nelson
• Original Assignee: David Nelson
• Inventors: Nelson, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARNEY, SETH E
• Application Number:
  US10/944,657
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 239/33, 239/103.1, 239/16, 239/24, 426/85, 215/229, 215/388, 215/399, 220705-710, D73/002
• US Class Current: 239/33
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 21/185 Mouthpieces

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drinking straw that diverts the flow of liquid away from the upper palate, thereby avoiding discomfort or pain in the upper palate and posterior pharyngeal wall of the mouth. The drinking straw includes an elongate tubular body having a first side surface and a second side surface. At one end of elongate body is an opening defining an intake or suction spout that is to be placed within a beverage container. At the opposite end, an output spout is designed to allow for redirection of a fluid downward and away from the upper palate.

Claims

1. A straw comprising:

a one piece elongate hollow body having a first side surface and a second side surface;

an input end contiguous with said hollow body; and

an output end, said output end contiguous with said hollow body, said output end opposite said input end, said output end having a closed top, said output end having an opening on said second side surface, said opening defined by the removal of material from said second side surface, said opening providing an unrestricted downward exit for fluid as it is siphoned upward through said input end, said closed top diverting said fluid through said opening.

2. A straw according to claim 1 wherein said closed top is semi-spherical.

3. A straw according to claim 2 wherein said semi-spherical closed top diverts said upward siphoned fluid up to ninety degrees.

4. A straw according to claim 1 wherein said elongate hollow body is cylindrical.

5. A straw according to claim 1 wherein said output end opening is oval.

6. A straw according to claim 5 wherein said oval output end opening is about 0.36 inches long and about 0.23 inches wide.

7. A straw according to claim 1 wherein said closed top is domed.

8. A straw according to claim 1 wherein said elongate hollow body is about 8 inches.

9. A straw according to claim 1 wherein said straw is made from plastic, said plastic having a material thickness of about 0.008 inches.

10. A straw according to claim 1 wherein said input end of said elongate hollow body has a diameter of about 0.28 inches.

11. A straw comprising:

one piece elongate hollow body having a first side surface and a second side surface;

an input end contiguous with said hollow body; and

an output end, said output end contiguous with said hollow body, said output end opposite said input end, said output end having a closed top, said second side surface having an opening, said opening defined by the removal of material from said second side surface, said opening providing an unrestricted downward exit for fluid as it is siphoned upward through said input end, said closed top diverting said fluid through said opening.

12. A straw according to claim 11 wherein said contiguous output end is semi-spherical, said semi-spherical output end diverting said fluid through said opening as it is siphoned upward through said input end.

16. A straw according to claim 11 wherein said elongate hollow body is cylindrical.

13. A straw comprising:

an elongate hollow body having a first side surface and a second side surface;

an input end contiguous with said hollow body; and

an output end, said output end contiguous with said hollow body, said output end opposite said input end, said output end having a closed top, said output end having an opening on said second side surface, said opening comprising,

a first side member;

a second side member; and

an extension, said first side member and said second side member projecting inward from said second side surface into the interior of said elongate hollow body, said first side member having a first side member edge, said second side member having a second side member edge, said first side member first edge and said second side member second edge attached along a portion of the periphery of said extension, said extension projecting inward into the interior volume of said elongate hollow body, a portion of said extension attached to a portion of said second side surface, said first side member, said second side member, and said extension defining said opening, said extension redirecting the flow of said siphoned fluid towards said closed top, said closed top diverting said fluid through said opening.

14. A straw according to claim 13 wherein said closed top is semi-spherical.

15. A straw according to claim 13 wherein said extension projects inward up to 45 degrees from said second side surface.