Patent application title: Beverage garnishing and consumption system
Inventors:
Roger Zeghibe (Boston, MA, US)
Sean Daley (South Boston, MA, US)
IPC8 Class: AA47G2118FI
USPC Class:
220705
Class name: Container attachment or adjunct drinking device with straw or sucking tube
Publication date: 2011-10-27
Patent application number: 20110259905
Abstract:
The subject invention is a beverage garnishing system that includes an
improved straw with water-soluble garnishing agents to impart garnishing
to beverages. The system allows for the easy addition of custom
garnishings of choice to any kind of beverage in a germ free manner which
allows for uniform regulation of the amount and kind of ingredients.Claims:
1. A beverage garnishing system comprising an elongate tubular conduit
with an interior wall defining at least one interior fluid conducting
lumen extending from at least one sipping end to at least one emersion
end, and an externally disposed dissolving garnish strip, wherein said
externally disposed dissolving garnish strip comprises at least one
garnishing agent, further wherein said garnish strip is substantially
affixed to a portion of said tubular conduit.
2. The beverage garnishing system of claim 1, wherein the elongate tubular conduit comprises a traverse cross section comprising a shape selected from the group consisting of circular, triangular, square, hexagonal and octagonal.
3. The beverage garnishing system of claim 1, wherein the dry garnishing agent is a sweetener selected from the group consisting of acesulfame, alitame, arabinose, aspartame, brazzein, cyclamic acid, dihydrochalcones, erythritol, fructose, glucose, glycyrrhizin, hernandulcin, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated isomaltulose, hydrogenated starch hydrolyzates, inulin, lactitol, lactose, maltitol, maltodextrin, mannitol, mogroside, monellin, neohesperidin, neotame, saccharin, soluble starch, sorbitol, stevia, sucralose, sucrose, thaumatin, trehalose and xylitol.
4. The beverage garnishing system of claim 1, wherein the dry garnishing agent is a garnish selected from the group consisting of almond, banana, blueberry, bubblegum, butter, butterscotch, cantaloupe, caramel, caraway, cherry, chocolate, cinnamon, coconut, cranberry, cream, currant, elderberry, ginger, grape, guava, kiwi, lemon, licorice, lime, mango, mint, orange, papaya, peach, pecan, pineapple, plum, spearmint, strawberry, tangerine, tea, vanillin, walnut, and watermelon.
5. The beverage garnishing system of claim 1, wherein the garnish strip further comprises a material selected from the group consisting of bicarbonate, citric acid and sugar encapsulated carbon dioxide.
6. The beverage garnishing system of claim 1, wherein the elongate tubular conduit further comprises an enhanced surface area comprising a substantially vertical upper portion in fluid communication with a substantially zig-zag shaped lower suction portion, wherein said dissolving garnish strip is substantially interwoven within an outer portion of said substantially zig-zag shaped lower suction portion.
7. The beverage garnishing system of claim 1, wherein the elongate tubular conduit further comprises an enhanced surface area comprising a substantially vertical upper portion in fluid communication with a substantially v-shaped lower suction portion member in a lower, outer portion wherein the dissolving garnish strip is substantially interwoven within an inner portion of said v-shaped suction division member.
8. The beverage garnishing system of claim 1, wherein the elongate tubular conduit further comprises an enhanced surface area comprising a second elongate tubular conduit and the dissolving garnish strip is disposed perpendicular to said first and second elongate tubular conduit suction members and attached to a lower, outer portion of said first and second elongate tubular conduit suction members.
9. The beverage garnishing system of claim 1, wherein the elongate tubular conduit further comprises an enhanced surface area comprising a circular lower portion wherein the dissolving garnish strip is substantially interwoven within an annular section of the circular lower portion and a suction aperture located within said circular lower portion.
10. The beverage garnishing system of claim 1, wherein the dissolving garnish strip has an invertedly disposed semi-conical shape and is disposed around a lower, outer potion of the elongate tubular conduit.
11. The beverage garnishing system of claim 1, wherein the elongate tubular conduit further comprises an enhanced surface area comprising a separately disposed second dual substantially vertical substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit, wherein the dissolving garnish strip is affixed to said first and second elongate tubular conduits suction members and, wherein said first and second elongate tubular conduits are fused together by said dissolving garnish strip.
12. The beverage garnishing system of claim 1, wherein the dissolving garnish strip comprises a spherical shape that is disposed around a lower, outer potion of said elongate tubular conduit.
13. The beverage garnishing system of claim 1, wherein the elongate tubular conduit further comprises an enhanced surface area comprising an s-shape upper portion in fluid communication with an inverted s-shaped lower portion, wherein the dissolving garnish strip is substantially interwoven within said inverted s-shaped lower portion.
14. The beverage garnishing system of claim 1, wherein the elongate tubular conduit further comprises an enhanced surface area comprising a substantially vertical upper portion in fluid communication with a substantially inverted s-shape median portion in fluid communication with a substantially vertical lower portion, wherein the dissolving garnish strip is substantially interwoven within said substantially inverted s-shaped median portion.
15. The beverage garnishing system of claim 1, wherein the dissolving garnish strip is disposed around an entirety of the circumference of the elongate tubular conduit.
16. The beverage garnishing system of claim 1, wherein the dissolving garnish strip has a substantially trapezoidal shape that is disposed to extend in a manner substantially perpendicular from said elongate tubular conduit.
17. The beverage garnishing system of claim 1, wherein the dissolving garnish strip is wrapped around said elongate tubular conduit in a serpentine manner comprising alternating thickness of said dissolving garnishing strip and wherein an entirety of said dissolving garnish strip is not visible on view of one half of said elongate tubular conduit.
18. The beverage garnishing system of claim 1, wherein the dissolving garnish strip is wrapped around said elongate tubular conduit in a serpentine manner of equal thickness and wherein an entirety of said dissolving garnish strip is not visible on view of one half of said elongate tubular conduit.
19. The beverage garnishing system of claim 1, wherein the dissolving garnish strip wraps around the elongate tubular conduit in a serpentine manner of equal thickness and wherein portions of said dissolving garnish strip extend outwardly beyond the profile of said elongate tubular conduit.
20. The beverage garnishing system of claim 1, wherein the dissolving garnish strip comprises a semi-conical shape that is disposed around a lower, outer potion of said elongate tubular conduit.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of beverage garnishing and dispersal system and particularly to a new and improved straw with water-soluble garnishing agents to impart garnishing to beverages.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] Effective, as well as sanitary, garnishing of beverages and other such fluids, has been an enduring problem within a myriad of beverage service and distribution situations. In most instances, mixologists or servers at the point of sale garnish custom-garnished beverages ordered by a consumer.
[0005] In order to garnish beverages at a point of sale, a preparation specialist, mixologist or server is tasked with cutting fruits such as lemons, limes and oranges and depositing the fruit, by hand, into the beverage. This system of beverage preparation has many problems. Beverages may be garnished inconsistently. Fruits, used to garnish beverages, must be purchased and maintained fresh, resulting in higher costs for beverage serving vendors. Mixologists or servers must be trained to garnish beverages, resulting in higher costs for vendors.
[0006] Since a straw is a common device for consuming liquids, concurrent systems of garnishing beverages using straws are existent. Some systems disclose a straw with a closure at the bottom that contains particles of garnishing agent. Once the closure is opened, these particles can flow out of the straw into the beverage. Still other systems disclose a drinking straw having an exposed wall formed of a water insoluble hydrophilic polymer. A water-soluble garnishing agent is dispersed within the polymer and passes by way of the polymer to garnish the liquid in which the straw is placed. Additionally, one system discloses a straw assembly for imparting garnish that includes a chamber containing garnishing objects. And one concurrent system discloses a combination straw and stirrer containing granules for producing coffee- and tea-like beverages. Additionally, one system discloses a drinking straw containing powdered garnishing laminated to an interior surface of the straw for dissolving upon contact with a fluid directed through the straw while a similar design discloses a garnishing delivery drinking straw for adding a garnishing to a liquid passing through the drinking straw. The garnishing delivery drinking straw includes an elongate tube with spaced apart pair of screens disposed in the lumen of the tube to block passage of objects greater than a predetermined size through the lumen of the tube. A garnishing object is disposed in the lumen of the tube between the screens for imparting a garnish to a liquid passing through the lumen of the tube.
[0007] A further system discloses a straw that contains an internal sprayed water-soluble extract that provides an agent of choice to be incorporated into a liquid. Furthermore, numerous systems disclose a drinking straw that includes a garnishing bag fabricated of water permeable material and containing a water garnishing substance attached to an exterior surface of a drinking straw proximate to its emersion end. Finally, some systems disclose a straw combined with a piece of candy at the mouth end and some disclose drinking straw with a beverage garnishing additive in the form of a solid lozenge attached to the lower end of the straw.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The instant system, as illustrated herein, is clearly not anticipated, rendered obvious, or even present in any of the prior art mechanisms, either alone or in any combination thereof. This invention relates generally to fluid system garnishing control mechanisms and particularly to applications in the imbibable fluid arts.
[0009] It is an object of the instant system to simultaneously provide an improved beverage transfer and treatment system. The instant system is designed to provide sanitary dosing of fluids while providing interesting manners from which to remove fluids from an existent containment mechanism.
[0010] The present system introduces a hygienic manner for the introduction of garnishing into a beverage for on the spot consumer usage, while also affording unique systems and methods for consuming the previously garnished beverages. Furthermore, the instant system allows for point of purchase garnish of beverages, removing the requirement of a human user handling the garnishings. Moreover, the system herein affords the user the benefits of fruit garnishing, without the usage of actual fruit. Such advent prevents digestive and headache issues often encountered by the human constitution subsequent to the consumption of beverages garnished with of raw fruit.
[0011] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the appended drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0012] One embodiment of the subject invention is a beverage garnishing system comprising an elongate tubular conduit with an interior wall defining at least one interior fluid conducting lumen extending from at least one sipping end to at least one emersion end, and an externally disposed dissolving garnish strip, wherein said externally disposed dissolving garnish strip comprises at least one garnishing agent, further wherein said garnish strip is substantially affixed to a portion of said tubular conduit.
[0013] In other embodiments of the subject invention, the elongate tubular conduit may comprise a traverse cross section comprising a shape selected from the group consisting of circular, triangular, square, hexagonal and octagonal.
[0014] In further embodiments of the subject invention, the dry garnishing agent may be a sweetener selected from the group consisting of acesulfame, alitame, arabinose, aspartame, brazzein, cyclamic acid, dihydrochalcones, erythritol, fructose, glucose, glycyrrhizin, hernandulcin, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated isomaltulose, hydrogenated starch hydrolyzates, inulin, lactitol, lactose, maltitol, maltodextrin, mannitol, mogroside, monellin, neohesperidin, neotame, saccharin, soluble starch, sorbitol, stevia, sucralose, sucrose, thaumatin, trehalose and xylitol.
[0015] In additional embodiments of the subject invention, the dry garnishing agent may be a garnish selected from the group consisting of almond, banana, blueberry, bubblegum, butter, butterscotch, cantaloupe, caramel, caraway, cherry, chocolate, cinnamon, coconut, cranberry, cream, currant, elderberry, ginger, grape, guava, kiwi, lemon, licorice, lime, mango, mint, orange, papaya, peach, pecan, pineapple, plum, spearmint, strawberry, tangerine, tea, vanillin, walnut, and watermelon.
[0016] In other embodiments of the subject invention, the garnish strip may further comprise a material selected from the group consisting of bicarbonate, citric acid and sugar encapsulated carbon dioxide.
[0017] In further embodiments of the subject invention, the elongate tubular conduit may further comprise an enhanced surface area comprising a substantially vertical upper portion in fluid communication with a substantially zig-zag shaped lower suction portion, wherein said dissolving garnish strip is substantially interwoven within an outer portion of said substantially zig-zag shaped lower suction portion.
[0018] In additional embodiments of the subject invention, the elongate tubular conduit may further comprise an enhanced surface area comprising a substantially vertical upper portion in fluid communication with a substantially v-shaped lower suction portion member in a lower, outer portion wherein the dissolving garnish strip is substantially interwoven within an inner portion of said v-shaped suction division member.
[0019] In other embodiments of the subject invention, the elongate tubular conduit may further comprise an enhanced surface area comprising a second elongate tubular conduit and the dissolving garnish strip is disposed perpendicular to said first and second elongate tubular conduit suction members and attached to a lower, outer portion of said first and second elongate tubular conduit suction members.
[0020] In further embodiments of the subject invention, the elongate tubular conduit may further comprise an enhanced surface area comprising a circular lower portion wherein the dissolving garnish strip is substantially interwoven within an annular section of the circular lower portion and a suction aperture located within said circular lower portion.
[0021] In other embodiments of the subject invention, the dissolving garnish strip may have an invertedly disposed semi-conical shape and is disposed around a lower, outer potion of the elongate tubular conduit.
[0022] In additional embodiments of the subject invention, the elongate tubular conduit may further comprise an enhanced surface area comprising a separately disposed second dual substantially vertical substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit, wherein the dissolving garnish strip is affixed to said first and second elongate tubular conduits suction members and, wherein said first and second elongate tubular conduits are fused together by said dissolving garnish strip.
[0023] In other embodiments of the subject invention, the dissolving garnish strip may further comprise a spherical shape that is disposed around a lower, outer potion of said elongate tubular conduit.
[0024] In further embodiments of the subject invention, the elongate tubular conduit may further comprise an enhanced surface area comprising an s-shape upper portion in fluid communication with an inverted s-shaped lower portion, wherein the dissolving garnish strip is substantially interwoven within said inverted s-shaped lower portion.
[0025] In other embodiments of the subject invention, the elongate tubular conduit may further comprise an enhanced surface area comprising a substantially vertical upper portion in fluid communication with a substantially inverted s-shape median portion in fluid communication with a substantially vertical lower portion, wherein the dissolving garnish strip is substantially interwoven within said substantially inverted s-shaped median portion.
[0026] In additional embodiments of the subject invention, the dissolving garnish strip may be disposed around an entirety of the circumference of the elongate tubular conduit.
[0027] In further embodiments of the subject invention, the dissolving garnish strip may have a substantially trapezoidal shape that is disposed to extend in a manner substantially perpendicular from said elongate tubular conduit.
[0028] In other embodiments of the subject invention, the dissolving garnish strip may be wrapped around said elongate tubular conduit in a serpentine manner comprising alternating thickness of said dissolving garnishing strip and wherein an entirety of said dissolving garnish strip is not visible on view of one half of said elongate tubular conduit.
[0029] In further embodiments of the subject invention, the dissolving garnish strip may be wrapped around said elongate tubular conduit in a serpentine manner of equal thickness and wherein an entirety of said dissolving garnish strip is not visible on view of one half of said elongate tubular conduit.
[0030] In additional embodiments of the subject invention, the dissolving garnish strip may wrap around the elongate tubular conduit in a serpentine manner of equal thickness and wherein portions of said dissolving garnish strip extend outwardly beyond the profile of said elongate tubular conduit.
[0031] In further embodiments of the subject invention, the dissolving garnish strip may further comprise a semi-conical shape that is disposed around a lower, outer potion of said elongate tubular conduit.
[0032] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present system:
[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit comprising a substantially vertical upper portion with one sipping end and also a substantially zig-zag shaped lower suction portion, with an emersion end; wherein a water-soluble dissolving garnish strip is substantially interwoven within an outer portion of said substantially zig-zag shaped lower suction portion;
[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit comprising a substantially vertical upper portion with one sipping end and a substantially v-shaped lower suction portion with two emersion ends; wherein a dissolving garnish strip is substantially interwoven within the v-shaped suction lower suction portion;
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw comprises a two substantially vertical, substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduits comprising a cylindrical dissolving garnish strip, wherein the cylindrical dissolving garnish strip is disposed perpendicular to the two tubular conduits at the emersion ends;
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit and also comprises an upwardly disposed semi-conical dissolving garnish strip wherein the semi-conical dissolving garnish strip is disposed about a lower portion of the tubular conduit;
[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit and a substantially circular lower portion wherein a dissolving garnish strip is substantially interwoven within an annular section of the circular lower portion and a suction aperture is located within said circular lower portion;
[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit and also comprises an invertedly disposed semi-conical dissolving garnish strip wherein the semi-conical dissolving strip is disposed about a lower portion of the tubular conduit;
[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw comprises separately disposed dual substantially vertical, substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduits and a dissolving garnish strip affixed to both of the dual tubular conduits and, wherein the separately disposed dual substantially vertical substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduits are fused together by the dissolving garnish strip;
[0041] FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit and also comprises a spherical dissolving garnish strip wherein the spherical dissolving strip is disposed about a lower potion of the tubular conduit;
[0042] FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw comprises a substantially cylindrical serpentine-shaped tubular conduit wherein a dissolving garnish strip is substantially interwoven within the serpentine shaped tubular conduit;
[0043] FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit comprising a substantially vertical upper portion, a substantially inverted s-shape median portion and a substantially vertical lower portion wherein a dissolving garnish strip is substantially interwoven within the substantially inverted s-shaped median portion;
[0044] FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit and a substantially vertical cylindrical dissolving garnish strip, wherein the substantially cylindrical dissolving garnish strip is disposed about the entirety of the circumference of a lower portion of said substantially vertical substantially cylindrical tubular conduit;
[0045] FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit and a substantially trapezoidal-shaped dissolving garnish strip, wherein the substantially trapezoidal-shaped dissolving garnish strip is disposed to extend in a manner substantially perpendicular from emersion end of the tubular conduit;
[0046] FIG. 13 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit and a dissolving garnish strip, wherein the dissolving garnish strip wraps around the tubular conduit in a serpentine manner with alternating thicknesses of the dissolving garnishing strip, wherein the entirety of the dissolving garnish strip is not visible on view of one half of the tubular conduit;
[0047] FIG. 14 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit and a dissolving garnish strip, wherein the dissolving garnish strip wraps around the tubular conduit in a serpentine manner of equal thickness, wherein the entirety of the dissolving garnish strip is not visible on view of one half of the tubular conduit; and,
[0048] FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit and a dissolving garnish strip, wherein the dissolving garnish strip wraps around the tubular conduit in a serpentine manner of equal thickness and wherein the entirety of the dissolving garnish strip is visible on view of one half of the tubular conduit.
[0049] Corresponding reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0050] The instant system is directed to a beverage garnishing system and particularly to a new and improved straw with water-soluble garnishing agents to impart garnishing to beverages. The instant system allows for the easy addition of custom garnishings of choice to any kind of beverage in a germ free manner which allows for uniform regulation of the amount and kind of ingredients.
[0051] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw 10 comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit with interior wall defining one or more interior fluid conducting lumens extending from one or more sipping ends to one or more emersion ends. The tubular conduit further comprises a substantially vertical upper portion 11 with one sipping end and a substantially zig-zag shaped lower suction portion 12, with an emersion end. The tubular conduit typically comprises a substantially circular transverse cross section. In alternative embodiments of the subject invention, the transverse cross section of the tubular conduit may be another shape such as triangular, square, hexagonal or octagonal.
[0052] A water-soluble garnish strip 13 composed of a dry, or substantially viscous garnishing agent is disposed on the exterior of the tubular conduit proximate to the emersion end. In alternative embodiments of the subject invention, the garnishing agent may be a pressed or compacted powered mixture.
[0053] A user places the emersion end of the tubular conduit and the proximately disposed water-soluble garnish strip into a fluid to be consumed by the user. The water-soluble garnish strip dissolves upon contact with the fluid. This dissolution releases the garnishing agent into the fluid, imparting a garnish to the fluid.
[0054] The tubular conduit is rigid enough that the user can use the tubular conduit to stir the garnish strip and the fluid to aid in the dissolution of the garnish strip. In one embodiment of the subject invention, the tubular conduit may be made of any material, but preferably plastic.
[0055] Once the garnish strip is dissolved, a user can drink the modified fluid through a sip end of the tubular conduit. A user places the emersion end into the fluid and the user places his or her lips about the sipping end and applies sufficient suction causing the fluid to rise through fluid conducting lumens to be imbibed by the user.
[0056] In alternative embodiments of the subject invention, the tubular conduit may have at least one surface area enhancer for permitting a larger water-soluble garnish strip to be disposed on the exterior of the tubular conduit. The surface area enhancer would increase the agitation of the fluid when stirred by a user, thereby increasing the speed of the dissolving or dispersion of the garnishing agent. In one embodiment of the subject invention, the surface area enhancer may be a serpentine shaped (FIGS. 9 and 10) or a zigzagged shaped emersion end (FIG. 1). In another embodiment of the subject invention, the surface area enhancer may be a substantially V-shaped lower portion (FIG. 2) or U-shaped lower portion (not shown). In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the surface area enhancer may be an additional tubular conduit (FIGS. 3 and 7). In an additional embodiment of the subject invention, the surface area enhancer may be a substantially circular (FIG. 5) or elliptical emersion end.
[0057] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw 20 comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit comprising a substantially vertical upper portion 21 with one sipping end and a substantially v-shaped lower suction portion 22 with two emersion ends; wherein a dissolving garnish strip 23 is substantially interwoven within the v-shaped suction lower suction portion 22.
[0058] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw 30 comprises two substantially vertical, substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduits 31 comprising a cylindrical dissolving garnish strip 32, wherein the cylindrical dissolving garnish strip 32 is disposed perpendicular to the two tubular conduits 31 at the emersion ends. FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw 40 comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit 41 and also comprises an upwardly disposed semi-conical dissolving garnish strip 42 wherein the semi-conical dissolving garnish strip 42 is disposed about a lower potion of the tubular conduit 41.
[0059] FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw 50 comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit 51 and a substantially circular lower portion 52 wherein a dissolving garnish strip 53 is substantially interwoven within an annular section of the circular lower portion 52 and a suction aperture 54 is located within said circular lower portion. Further, the suction aperture 54 located may be located within the lowermost portion of the circular lower portion 52.
[0060] FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw 60 comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit 61 and also comprises an invertedly disposed semi-conical dissolving garnish strip 62 wherein the semi-conical dissolving strip 62 is disposed about a lower potion of the tubular conduit 61.
[0061] FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw 70 comprises separately disposed dual substantially vertical, substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduits 71 and a dissolving garnish strip 72 affixed to both of the dual tubular conduits 71 and, wherein the separately disposed dual substantially vertical substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduits 71 are fused together by the dissolving garnish strip 72. The dissolving garnish strip 72 may be substantially rectangular or cylindrical in shape.
[0062] FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw 80 comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit 81 and also comprises a spherical dissolving garnish strip 82 wherein the spherical dissolving strip 82 is disposed about a lower potion of the tubular conduit 81.
[0063] FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw 90 comprises a substantially cylindrical serpentine-shaped tubular conduit 91 wherein a dissolving garnish strip 93 is substantially interwoven within the lower portion 92 of serpentine-shaped tubular conduit 91.
[0064] FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw 100 comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit comprising a substantially vertical upper portion 101, a substantially inverted s-shape median portion 102 and a substantially vertical lower portion 103 wherein a dissolving garnish strip 104 is substantially interwoven within the substantially inverted s-shaped median portion 102.
[0065] FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw 110 comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit 111 and a substantially vertical cylindrical dissolving garnish strip 112, wherein the substantially cylindrical dissolving garnish strip 112 is disposed about the entirety of the circumference of a lower portion of said substantially vertical substantially cylindrical tubular conduit 111. FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw 120 comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit 121 and a substantially trapezoidal-shaped dissolving garnish strip 122, wherein the substantially trapezoidal-shaped dissolving garnish strip 122 is disposed to extend in a manner substantially perpendicular from emersion end of the tubular conduit 121.
[0066] FIG. 13 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw 130 comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit 131 and a dissolving garnish strip 132, wherein the dissolving garnish strip 132 wraps around the tubular conduit 131 in a serpentine manner with alternating thicknesses of the dissolving garnishing strip 132, wherein the entirety of the dissolving garnish strip 132 is not visible on view of one half of the tubular conduit 131.
[0067] FIG. 14 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw 140 comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit 141 and a dissolving garnish strip, 142 wherein the dissolving garnish strip 142 wraps around the tubular conduit 141 in a serpentine manner of equal thickness, wherein the entirety of the dissolving garnish strip 142 is not visible on view of one half of the tubular conduit 141.
[0068] FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of the instant system wherein the drinking straw 150 comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate tubular conduit 151 and a dissolving garnish strip 152, wherein the dissolving garnish strip 152 wraps around the tubular conduit 151 in a serpentine manner of equal thickness and wherein the entirety of the dissolving garnish strip 152 is visible on view of one half of the tubular conduit 151 and wherein portions of the dissolving garnish strip 152 extend outwardly beyond the profile of said substantially vertical cylindrical member 151.
[0069] The dissolving garnish strips may be glued to the varying cylindrical elongate tubular conduits and suction members by utilization of a non-toxic gluing agent or hot bonding methods known to those skilled in the bonding arts. The dissolving garnish strips may be glued to the varying elongate tubular conduits and suction members by utilization of a non-toxic gluing agents or hot bonding methods known within the material bonding arts. Bonding may also occur wherein the elongate tubular conduit or straw is prepared, created or formed with receiving slits. The elongate tubular conduit or straw may be manufactured from any of the food safe polymers or other such materials present in the fluid suction arts.
[0070] In alternative embodiments of the subject invention, the garnishing agent may be a sweetener, such as, but not limited to: acesulfame, alitame, arabinose, aspartame, brazzein, cyclamic acid, dihydrochalcones, erythritol, fructose, glucose, glycyrrhizin, hernandulcin, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated isomaltulose, hydrogenated starch hydrolyzates, inulin, lactitol, lactose, maltitol, maltodextrin, mannitol, mogroside, monellin, neohesperidin, neotame, saccharin, soluble starch, sorbitol, stevia, sucralose, sucrose, thaumatin, trehalose, xylitol, or in combination thereof. In alternative embodiments of the subject invention, the garnishing agent may also be a garnish, such as, but not limited to: almond, banana, blueberry, bubblegum, butter, butterscotch, cantaloupe, caramel, caraway, cherry, chocolate, cinnamon, coconut, cranberry, cream, currant, elderberry, ginger, grape, guava, kiwi, lemon, licorice, lime, mango, mint, orange, papaya, peach, pecan, pineapple, plum, spearmint, strawberry, tangerine, tea, vanillin, walnut, watermelon, or in combination thereof.
[0071] In a further embodiment of the subject invention, the dissolving garnish strip may contain effervescence materials such as bicarbonates, citric acid or sugar encapsulated carbon dioxide.
[0072] While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the system, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.
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