GB2401527A

GB2401527A - Drinking straw for flavouring a liquid

Info

Publication number: GB2401527A
Application number: GB0307837A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Hatton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-04-04
Filing date: 2003-04-04
Publication date: 2004-11-17
Also published as: GB0307837D0

Abstract

A mixing straw device that permits the consistent mix of two fluids comprises a chamber external of the straw that releases a flavouring into the liquid in the straw.

Description

The SeyMixing "Milkshake" Straw Mechanical devices have been the universal

response to the international market demand for the production of milkshake drinks. Milkshakes are traditionally defined as the addition of flavours to aerated milk within a container and consumed (most often) with the aid of a straw. The production process has traditionally involved the application of mechanical devices such as liquidizers and whisks.

The invention is a solution to the problem of making milkshakes - where the addition to the milk is limited to a flavour concentrate, without mechanical aids.

The invention enables consumers to produce milkshakes in a process that requires no equipment other than the self mixing straw and without the application of any process other than the consumption of the liquid itself.

The invention is a device that embodies the concept of a traditional drinking straw but the internal diameter of which is pinched to form a Venturi tube.

At the neck of the Venturi tube there is a pipe connection to a reservoir containing the flavour concentrate. The reservoir is vented at its topmost part. The vent is sealed until the device is used by the consumer By placing the device in milk and applying the usual sucking motion through the mouth, the consumer draws milk into the neck of the Venturi tube. At that point pressure in the tube is high enabling the flavour concentrate to be drawn into the milk main flow from the reservoir through the connecting tube once the reservoir is unsealed. The mix/blend of milk to flavour concentrate is constant as it is dictated by the relative sizes of the apertures in either end of the connecting tube and the neck of the Venturi tube and the blend effect occurs because of the vacuum created by drawing milk into the neck of the Venturi tube At its uppermost part but below the point at which the consumer engages mouth to straw, the wall of the straw is intruded. A small hole allows the introduction of air as the consumer draws up the blended liquid flow - thus aerating it before it enters the mouth.

The device is capable of multiple use until the whole of the flavour concentrate in the reservoir is exhausted.

By appropriate marking on the device the consumer will know what flavour is being added to the milk. The choice is only limited by the number of flavours appropriate to mix with milk and available in concentrate form.

The Self Mixing Milkshake Straw will now be described by reference to the accompanying Drawing in which, The device is shown in a vertical position inserted into a container (of any type) containing milk The cross-section diagram describes the internal Venturi tube and attached cylinder and reservoir containing the flavour concentrate At the top of the reservoir is the unsealed vent. At the uppermost part of the straw wall is the intrusion that allows the entry of air.

The consumer draws up the milk liquid and at the point that it reaches the connecting tube flavour concentrate is entrained. At the point it reaches the top of the straw air is added to the blend so as to produce an aerated blend of milk and flavour that is consumed by mouth

Claims

Claims 1. A mixing straw device comprising a tube and a side reservoir

which in combination through the exertion of atmospheric pressure permits a mixture of fluids to intake by the consumer
2. A mixing straw device according to Claim 1 which incorporates a Venturi tube - use of which accelerates the fluid and reduces its internal pressure thereby causing the introduction of a second fluid and permitting the fluids to mix
3. A mixing straw device according to Claims 1 and 2 that releases the reservoir fluid from a vacuum sealed state at a constant rate into the mixture of fluids
4. A mixing straw device according to Claim 3 that produces a constancy of mix because of the relative sizes of the apertures at the neck of the Venturi tube and in the connecting tube to the reservoir
5. A mixing straw device according to Claims 1, 2, 3, and 4 that permits aeration of the mixed fluids through atmospheric pressure acting on an aperture placed immediately below the mouthpiece of the device.
6. A mixing straw device according to Claim 1 that is capable of multiple use until the reservoir liquid is exhausted
7. A mixing straw device according to Claim 1 that is capable of multiple use by replenishment of the reservoir liquid
8. A mixing straw device according to Claim 1 that can be a single combined device or manufactured in multiples of the side reservoir with a single tube attached