Soda Straw Dispenser Box

Abstract

A straw box engageable with a dispenser during dispensing of straws to a user. The straw box includes an elongate door that can be opened while the straw box is engaged with the dispenser so that the dispenser is not required to be turned upside down. A pull tab is attached to the door and is accessible so that the door can be opened after the straw box is attached to the dispenser. The straw box remains engaged with the dispenser until all the straws have been fed from the straw box to the dispenser, and thus to users of the straws.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A straw box adapted for feeding straws to a dispenser of the type that dispenses straws to a user, said straw box comprising:
 a box for holding plural straws for shipment of the straws therein, and said box for engaging with the dispenser to feed the straws from an opening in said box to the dispenser during dispensing of the straws to the user;   said box having a door covering the opening in said box when said door is in a closed position, and said door is movable to an open position to uncover the opening is said box, said door being in the closed position during shipment of said box of straws, and said door being in the opened position when engaged with the dispenser to allow straws to be fed from the opening in said box to the dispenser; and   a pull tab connected to said door, when pulled said pull tab for opening said door while said box is engaged with the dispenser.   
     
     
         2 . The straw box of  claim 1 , further including a transparent window formed in a side of said box, said window for viewing an amount of straws remaining in said box during dispensing of the straws to the user. 
     
     
         3 . The straw box of  claim 1 , further including a band encircling said box, said band protruding from side surfaces of said box, and said band functioning to engage within an opening of the dispenser to hold said box engaged with the dispenser. 
     
     
         4 . The straw box of  claim 3 , wherein said box is constructed of a deformable material, whereby said box is deformed to remove said band from engagement with the dispenser. 
     
     
         5 . The straw box of  claim 4 , wherein said box is constructed of a paper material. 
     
     
         6 . The straw box of  claim 3 , wherein said band is constructed of a paper, cardboard or plastic material. 
     
     
         7 . The straw box of  claim 3 , wherein said band is adhered around a perimeter of said box. 
     
     
         8 . The straw box of  claim 1 , wherein said door comprises a flap that covers an opening in a bottom surface of said box, said flap is disposed inside said box when in the closed position and is disposed outside said box when in the opened position. 
     
     
         9 . The straw box of  claim 8 , wherein said flap has one side edge thereof hinged to the bottom surface of said box. 
     
     
         10 . The straw box of  claim 1 , wherein said door is hinged to a bottom surface of said box. 
     
     
         11 . The straw box of  claim 1 , wherein said pull tab is of sufficient length as to be accessible when said box is engaged to said dispenser. 
     
     
         12 . The straw box of  claim 1 , wherein said box is constructed of a length similar to a length of the straws, and said door has a length substantially the same length as said box. 
     
     
         13 . The straw box of  claim 12 , wherein said box is constructed with four elongate ninety degree angle corners, each said corner having the same length as said box, and said door is constructed adjacent to one said elongate corner. 
     
     
         14 . The straw box of  claim 1 , wherein said door is located on said box so that when a bottom surface of said box is oriented at an angle, all the straws empty out of said box via said door in the opened position. 
     
     
         15 . A straw box adapted for feeding straws to a dispenser of the type that dispenses straws to a user, said straw box comprising:
 a box for holding plural straws therein, said box constructed of a deformable material so that said box is deformed while engaging said box with said dispenser and said box is deformed while being removed from the dispenser;   a band encircling an outer circumference of said box, said band for engaging with an opening of the dispenser so that said box is removably attached to the dispenser;   an elongate door hinged to said box, said door movable from a closed position covering an elongate opening in said box, to an open position to uncover said elongate opening to allow straws to be fed lengthwise from said box to the dispenser;   a pull tab attached to said door for pulling said door to the open position while said box is engaged with the dispenser; and   said box remaining engaged with the dispenser until all the straws have been fed to the dispenser.   
     
     
         16 . The straw box of  claim 15 , wherein said pull tab is accessible while said box is engaged with the dispenser. 
     
     
         17 . The straw box of  claim 15 , wherein said box is adapted for being engaged with the dispenser without turning the dispenser upside down. 
     
     
         18 . A method of dispensing straws from a dispenser, comprising:
 engaging a straw box full of straws with the dispenser so that the straw box remains engaged with the dispenser until the straw box is empty of straws, and engaging the straw box with the dispenser without turning the dispenser upside down;   after the straw box is engaged with the dispenser, opening a door in the straw box to allow straws to be fed by gravity to the dispenser; and   after the straw box is empty of straws, deforming said straw box to remove said straw box from engagement with the dispenser.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further including pulling on a pull tab attached to said door to open said door. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further including deforming said straw box during engagement thereof with the dispenser, including engaging a band attached to said straw box under a shoulder of the dispenser.