Drinking Straw and Embellishment System

Abstract

A non-disposable decorative straw and embellishment system is provided that includes a drinking straw portion and an embellishment. The drinking straw portion includes a hollow tubular member, an exterior wall configured with at least one circumferential groove, a lower-wall section disposed below the circumferential groove, and an upper-wall section disposed above the circumferential groove. The at least one embellishment is configured to at least partially fit within the circumferential groove.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A straw system, comprising:
 a hollow tubular member comprising an interior tubular member surface and an exterior wall; wherein said exterior wall comprises an upper-wall section, at least one lower-wall section, and at least one mid-wall section; wherein said upper-wall section has a depth Y 1  that is greater than the depth Y 2  of said at least one mid-wall section; wherein said at least one lower-wall section has a depth Y 3  that is greater than the depth Y 2  of said at least one mid-wall section; wherein said upper-wall section has an upper-wall proximal and distal end; wherein each one of said at least one mid-wall section has a mid-wall upper surface, a mid-wall proximal end, and a mid-wall distal end; wherein each one of said lower-wall sections has a lower-wall proximal and distal end; wherein said upper-wall distal end adjoins a first one of said at least one mid-wall proximal ends forming an upper shoulder having a depth D 1 ; wherein a first one of said lower-wall proximal ends adjoins a first one of said at least one mid-wall distal ends forming a lower shoulder having a depth D 2 ; and wherein said upper shoulder, said lower shoulder, and said mid-wall upper surface define a circumferential groove forming a concave channel encircling said hollow tubular member; and   a decorative embellishment having a length less than or equal to the length of said circumferential groove; wherein said circumferential groove is configured to receive said embellishment; and wherein said embellishment, when received by said circumferential grove, is maintained isolated from said interior tubular member surface.   
     
     
         2 . The straw system of  claim 1  wherein said embellishment is permanently attached to said hollow tubular member. 
     
     
         3 . The straw system of  claim 2  wherein said embellishment comprises multiple ornamental elements secured within said circumferential groove. 
     
     
         4 . The straw system of  claim 1  wherein said embellishment is manually separable from said hollow tubular member. 
     
     
         5 . The straw system of  claim 4  wherein said embellishment comprises a cuff comprising a generally rigid partial cylindrical tube having an inner circumference slightly greater than the outer circumference of said at least one mid-wall section and having two opposing parallel longitudinal edges defining a longitudinal slit extending from the top to the bottom of said partial cylindrical tube, wherein said generally rigid partial cylindrical tube has enough elasticity to allow said cuff to be manually engaged within said circumferential groove. 
     
     
         6 . The straw system of  claim 4  wherein said embellishment comprises a flexible material and opposing attachment mechanisms; wherein said embellishment comprises an upper end and an opposing lower end, a first side end configured with a first one of said opposing attachment mechanisms, and an opposing second side end configured with a second one of said opposing attachment mechanisms; wherein said embellishment has a sufficient width to allow said first side end to overlap upon said opposing second side end; and wherein, when said first side end overlaps said second side end, said opposing attachment mechanisms join said first side end to said opposing second side end. 
     
     
         7 . The straw system of  claim 4  wherein said embellishment comprises a long, thin flexible strand of sufficient length to be wound within said circumferential groove to substantially cover said at least one mid-wall section. 
     
     
         8 . The straw system of  claim 1  wherein said straw system further comprises an enhancing accessory element secured to said embellishment. 
     
     
         9 . The straw system of  claim 1  wherein said circumferential groove comprises two circumferential grooves; said at least one mid-wall section comprises two mid-wall sections; and wherein a first one of said two mid-wall sections forms the floor of a first one of said two circumferential grooves; and wherein a second one of said two mid-wall sections forms the floor of a second one of said two circumferential grooves. 
     
     
         10 . The straw system of  claim 1  wherein the depth D of said circumferential groove is within the range of 0.5<D<15 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The straw system of  claim 1  wherein the length L 1  of said circumferential groove is within the range of 0.5>L 1 >10 cm. 
     
     
         12 . The straw system of  claim 1  wherein said upper-wall section has a circular-shaped cross-section and said lower-wall section has an oval-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         13 . The straw system of  claim 1  wherein said upper-wall section includes an upper-wall proximal end and an upper-wall distal end; and wherein said upper-wall section comprises an integrally formed interior depth reducer portion, wherein said upper-wall distal end has a greater depth and said upper-wall proximal end has a comparatively lesser depth. 
     
     
         14 . A straw system, comprising:
 a hollow tubular member comprising an interior surface and an exterior wall; wherein said exterior wall comprises an upper-wall section, at least one lower-wall section, and at least one mid-wall section; wherein said upper-wall section has a depth Y 1  that is greater than the depth Y 2  of said at least one mid-wall section; wherein said at least one lower-wall section has a depth Y 3  that is greater than the depth Y 2  of said at least one mid-wall section; wherein said upper-wall section has an upper-wall proximal and distal end; wherein each one of said at least one mid-wall section has a mid-wall upper surface, a mid-wall proximal end, and a mid-wall distal end; wherein each one of said lower-wall sections has a lower-wall proximal and distal end; wherein said upper-wall distal end adjoins a first one of said at least one mid-wall proximal ends forming an upper shoulder having a depth D 1 ; wherein a first one of said lower-wall proximal ends adjoins a first one of said at least one mid-wall distal ends forming a lower shoulder having a depth D 2 ; and wherein said upper shoulder, said lower shoulder, and said mid-wall upper surface define a circumferential groove forming a concave channel within the upper one half of the hollow tubular member and at least partially encircling said hollow tubular member; and wherein said upper-wall section is not of consistent thickness, but comprises an integrally formed interior depth reducer portion, wherein said upper-wall distal end has a greater depth and said upper-wall proximal end has a comparatively lesser depth; and   a decorative embellishment comprising multiple ornamental elements permanently attached substantially within said circumferential groove; wherein said decorative embellishment has a length less than or equal to the length of said one circumferential groove; wherein said decorative embellishment is maintained isolated from said interior surface.   
     
     
         15 . The straw system of  claim 14  wherein said circumferential groove comprises two circumferential grooves; said at least one mid-wall section comprises two mid-wall sections; and wherein a first one of said two mid-wall sections forms the floor of a first one of said two circumferential grooves; and wherein a second one of said two mid-wall sections forms the floor of a second one of said two circumferential grooves. 
     
     
         16 . A straw system comprising:
 a hollow tubular member comprising an interior surface and an exterior wall; wherein said exterior wall comprises an upper-wall section, at least one lower-wall section, and at least one mid-wall section; wherein said upper-wall section has a depth Y 1  that is greater than the depth Y 2  of said at least one mid-wall section; wherein said at least one lower-wall section has a depth Y 3  that is greater than the depth Y 2  of said at least one mid-wall section; wherein said upper-wall section has an upper-wall proximal and distal end; wherein each one of said at least one mid-wall section has a mid-wall upper surface, a mid-wall proximal end, and a mid-wall distal end; wherein each one of said lower-wall sections has a lower-wall proximal and distal end; wherein said upper-wall distal end adjoins a first one of said at least one mid-wall proximal ends forming an upper shoulder having a depth D 1 ; wherein a first one of said lower-wall proximal ends adjoins a first one of said at least one mid-wall distal ends forming a lower shoulder having a depth D 2 ; and wherein said upper shoulder, said lower shoulder, and said mid-wall upper surface define a circumferential groove forming a concave channel within the upper one half of the hollow tubular member and at least partially encircling said hollow tubular member; and wherein said upper-wall section is not of consistent thickness, but comprises an integrally formed interior depth reducer portion, wherein said upper-wall distal end has a greater depth and said upper-wall proximal end has a comparatively lesser depth; and   a decorative embellishment that is manually removably attachable substantially within said circumferential groove; wherein said decorative embellishment has a length less than or equal to the length of said circumferential groove; and wherein said decorative embellishment is maintained isolated from said interior tubular surface.   
     
     
         17 . The decorative straw of  claim 14  wherein said decorative embellishment comprises a cuff comprising a generally rigid partial cylindrical tube having an inner circumference slightly greater than the outer circumference of said at least one mid-wall section and having two opposing parallel longitudinal edges defining a longitudinal slit extending from the top to the bottom of said partial cylindrical tube, wherein said generally rigid partial cylindrical tube has enough elasticity to allow said cuff to be manually engaged within said circumferential groove. 
     
     
         18 . The straw system of  claim 14  wherein said embellishment comprises a flexible material and opposing attachment mechanisms; wherein said embellishment comprises an upper end and an opposing lower end, a first side end configured with a first one of said opposing attachment mechanisms, and an opposing second side end configured with a second one of said opposing attachment mechanisms; wherein said embellishment has a sufficient width to allow said first side end to overlap upon said opposing second side end; and wherein, when said first side end overlaps said second side end, said opposing attachment mechanisms join said first side end to said opposing second side end. 
     
     
         19 . The straw system of  claim 14  wherein said straw system further comprises an enhancing accessory element secured to said embellishment. 
     
     
         20 . The straw system of  claim 14  wherein said circumferential groove comprises two circumferential grooves; said at least one mid-wall section comprises two mid-wall sections; and wherein a first one of said two mid-wall sections forms the floor of a first one of said two circumferential grooves; and wherein a second one of said two mid-wall sections forms the floor of a second one of said two circumferential grooves.