Self-straightening straw with assurance that the straw will bend in a desired direction

Abstract

A capped container (such as a glass or plastic bottle) is provided with a specially designed straw which is hidden inside. As the container is uncapped or otherwise opened, the straw automatically straightens out and extends itself through the neck of the container to a length convenient for drinking. When the container is closed, the cap automatically pushes the straw back into the container.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . In a container having a consumable liquid and further having a drinking straw housed therein, wherein the straw is in at least a partially collapsed position within the container, and wherein the straw is intended to be straightened out and to extend above the container once the container is uncapped or otherwise opened, the improvement comprising the straw having at least one corrugated section intermediately along the length of the straw, the corrugated section having a non-uniform cross-section including respective different portions which are substantially diametrically opposite to one another, such that the straw will tend to bend in a desired direction when partially collapsed within the container, and such that the straw will substantially straighten out and extend above the container when the container is uncapped or otherwise opened.  
     
     
         2 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the corrugated section of the straw includes a wall having a differential wall thickness.  
     
     
         3 . The improvement of  claim 2 , wherein, the wall is cone shaped.  
     
     
         4 . The improvement of  claim 2 , wherein the wall is disk shaped.  
     
     
         5 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein one side of the cross-section of the corrugated section of the straw is provided with a stiffener.  
     
     
         6 . The improvement of  claim 5 , wherein the stiffener is hollowed out.  
     
     
         7 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the straw has two corrugated sections spaced apart from each other, and wherein one of the corrugated sections has a cross-section which is opposite to the cross-section of the other corrugated section, such that the corrugated sections of the straw tend to bend into a substantially “S” shape and direction.  
     
     
         8 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the corrugated section is a substantial portion of the length of the straw.  
     
     
         9 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the straw is made as one piece with the container.  
     
     
         10 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the straw has an end portion which is anchored in a sleeve within the container.  
     
     
         11 . In a container having a consumable liquid and further having a drinking straw housed therein, wherein the straw is in at least a partially collapsed position within the container, and wherein the straw is intended to be straightened out and to extend above the container once the container is uncapped or otherwise opened, the improvement comprising the straw having at least one pair of spaced-apart corrugated sections intermediately along the length of the straw, the corrugated sections each having a non-uniform cross-section including diametrically-opposite portions having different wall thicknesses, respectively, and one of the corrugated sections being a mirror image of the other corrugated section, such that the corrugated sections of the straw will tend to bend into a desired “S” shape and direction collapsed with the container, and such that the straw will substantially straighten out and extend above the container when the container is uncapped or otherwise opened.  
     
     
         12 . In a container having a consumable liquid and further having a drinking straw housed therein, wherein the straw is in at least a partially collapsed position within the container, and wherein the straw is intended to be straightened out and to extend above the container once the container is uncapped or otherwise opened, the improvement comprising the straw having a corrugated section along a substantial portion of the length of the straw, the corrugated section having a non-uniform cross-section including different portions which are substantially diametrically opposite to one another, and which have different wall thicknesses; respectively, such that the straw will tend to bend in a desired direction when partially collapsed within the container; and such that the straw, due to its built-in resiliency, will substantially straighten out and extend above the container when the container is uncapped or otherwise opened.  
     
     
         13 . In a container having a consumable liquid and further having a drinking straw housed therein, wherein the straw is in at least a partially collapsed position within the container, and wherein the straw is intended to be straightened out and to extend above the container once the container is uncapped or otherwise opened, the improvement comprising the straw having at least one section having a non-uniform cross-section including different portions which are substantially diametrically opposite to one another, such that the straw has a built-in resiliency and will substantially straighten out and extend above the container when the container is uncapped or otherwise opened, and the straw having an end portion substantially anchored within a sleeve within the container, thereby precluding complete removal of the straw out of the container.  
     
     
         14 . The improvement of  claim 13 , wherein the section of the straw is corrugated.  
     
     
         15 . The improvement of  claim 14 , wherein the corrugations are cone shaped.  
     
     
         16 . The improvement of  claim 14 , wherein the corrugations are disk shaped.