US3780944A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drinking straws
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-02-14
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1992-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A drinking straw is compacted for storage, transport and especially for direct attachment to beverage containers designed for individual use and normally serving one person, such as those dispensed by vending machines. Also drinking straws are compacted for direct attachment in a group on other larger beverage containers such as family size, which are designed to contain multiple normal servings, thereby providing straws for more than one person. The availability of multiple straws, for example, is especially desirable when ice cream floats are served to a group.
Inventors
- 👤 S Zubalik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:31
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D77/00; B65D77/22; B65D77/24; B65D77/28; A; A47; A47G; A47G21/00; A47G21/18; A47G21/182; B29; B29C; B29C53/00; B29C53/16; B29C59/00; B29C59/02; B29C59/04; B29C67/00; B29C67/0014; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/22; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24744
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
A straw to pass liquids, which is essentially preflattened to be shipped, stored, and handled with beverage containers, wherein the preflattened body thereof has continuously embossed portions compressed for packaging as the embossed portions overlie one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
37 words
A straw to pass liquids, which is essentially preflattened to be shipped, stored, and handled with beverage containers, wherein the preflattened body thereof has continuously embossed portions compressed for packaging as the embossed portions overlie one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A straw, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the embossments are formed as indicia to indicate information regarding the beverage or to convey a message.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
A straw, to pass liquids, which is essentially pre-flattened to be shipped, stored and handled with beverage containers and which is wrapped completely and sealed under hygienic conditions, and which after breaking the seal and either before or after removing the wrapping is then compressed with finger forces applied at its edges to first open the straw and then to compress it again to form opposite folded edges, and then upon release to form a square cross section, thereby providing the straw with adequate internal clearance for the passage of the beverage from the container to the consumer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
98 words
A straw, to pass liquids, which is essentially pre-flattened to be shipped, stored and handled with beverage containers and which is wrapped completely and sealed under hygienic conditions, and which after breaking the seal and either before or after removing the wrapping is then compressed with finger forces applied at its edges to first open the straw and then to compress it again to form opposite folded edges, and then upon release to form a square cross section, thereby providing the straw with adequate internal clearance for the passage of the beverage from the container to the consumer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A plastic straw, to pass liquids, which is essentially preflattened to be secured to a beverage container and to be suitable as an overall beverage product for vending machine marketing, and which has embossed portions which are slightly spaced apart into four elongated groups and the embossed portions thereof overlie and closely fit one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A plastic straw, to pass liquids, which is essentially preflattened to be secured to a beverage container and to be suitable as an overall beverage product for vending machine marketing, and which has embossed portions which are slightly spaced apart into four elongated groups and the embossed portions thereof overlie and closely fit one another.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A plastic straw, as claimed in claim 4 which is individually wrapped and sealed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
A plastic straw, as claimed in claim 5, while within or after removal of the seal wrapper is compressible by a consumer applying finger forces at its folded edges to open the straw, then go beyond to close it again creating new folded edges, and then upon release, creating an opened cross sectional straw, thereby providing adequate internal clearance for the passage of the beverage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A plastic straw, as claimed in claim 6, which, when first compressed by a consumer, is arranged so the embossed portions are positioned in opposing patterns to thereby subsequently insure adequate access for the passage of the beverage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A plastic straw, as claimed in claim 5, when wrapped and sealed, has excess wrapping extending at each end which is adaptable to be secured together when the wrapped, sealed, flattened straw is positioned on a beverage container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A plastic straw, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the embossed portions have incomplete embossments to create a bubble structure where reopening operations are commenced.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |