US2072580A - Drinking tube - Google Patents

Description

Mwah 2,1 W3-, H. N. CORRELL 2,072,580

DRINKlNG TUBE Filed Oct. 19, 1933 wwww ILy Q 4 v i mm! lll Patented Mar. 2, 1,937

UNITED STATESA 2,072,58o- DRINKING TUBE Henry N. Correll, Spartanburg, S. C., assigner to Oscar B. Wilson, Spartanburg, S. C.

Application October 19, 1933, Serial No. 694,234

2 Claims.

binationrof materials united in a manner to incorporate a. plurality of gas cells throughout the body of the tube suflicient to render the tube buoyant in those liquids commonly used `for beverage purposes.

A further object is to provide a sanitary beverage container having a drinking tube that is placed in the container when the latter is originally lled and held in place by the cork, crown, or other closure agent, the tub'e having sufficient buoyancy to be propelled through the mouth of the container when the closure is removed, the degree of buoyancy being increased, in the case of carbonated beverages, by the tendency of the gas bubbles to cling to and cluster around the tube when `the pressure in the container is relieved uponits being opened.

I equipment, such as a stirring device within which the component materials are mixed, and a mold to form the tube,

A further object is to devise a tube of the character indicated which can be conveniently inserted in a bottle, for example, during the lling operation without requiring any, or at the most, very slight changes in existing bottling equipment, so that the tube is capable of being introduced in the bottling industry with a minimum of elfort and expense.

A further object is to provide a drinking tube formed from a waterproofed paper, as contrasted with the waxed paper commonly used for sipping straws, the paper being waterprooicd either before or during the spinning of the paper on the spindle of a standard type spinning machine.

A further object is to devise a drinking tube formed by spinning or wrapping a thin strip and a method of making this strip composed of a material generally similar to that employed in the manufacture-of a molded tube and which likewise embodies a suilicient number of gas cells to lnsure buoyancy of lthe tube in a beverage.

A large proportion of the so-called soft drinks are marketed in'bottles and are presented in this condition directly to the buyer who is customarily faced with the choice of either drinking the beverage directly from the bottle, or sipping the same through a straw. Either of these conditions is characterized by certainunsanitary aspects, since the bottles are handled many times, are frequently stored in boxes that Yare exposed to the air and various other undesirable conditions, and are also often packed in natural ice whose degree of purity may be questionable. Also, the sipping straws are exposed to the air and to frequent :handling by many-people while selecting a single straw for their own use. The economic result of the foregoing situation is that many people refrain from purchasing beverages sold undei,l the above conditions, so that it is desirable to provide some means that will eliminate these objections by rendering it possible for the consumer to obtain the beverage directly from the bottle without any danger of the beverage touching the external surface of the bottle, and also without any necessity for requiring a separate drinking article, such as a paper or'glass cup which may be likewise exposed to objectionable surroundings.

It is with the foregoing problem in mind that my improved drinking tube has been devised One aspect of my invention comprehends the manufacture of. a special form of buoyant drinking tube, such as one made from a suitable molded material, which is initially conditioned to preserve these characteristics indefinitely and also to resist any softening attack of the tube by the beverage, or the contamination of the latter by the tube. This tube is initially placed in the bottle at the bottling establishment and is held in place by the crown or cork which usually acts as a closing agent.

When presented to the consumer, the removal of the crown or'cork enables the tube to rise upwardly through the neck of the bottle and to be presented directly to the consumer for sipping purposes. In non-carbonated beverages, this buoyant movement is due to the inherent properties of the tube, while in carbonated beverages, the buoyancy 0f the straw is increased` by the tendency of the gas bubbles tooling to the straw and therefore accelerate its rapidity of movement upwardly through the neck of the bottle. lt is therefore possible by utilizing my improved tube to furnish to each consumer a bottle which cru-ries i novel means by which said objects are effectuated will be denitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a bottle of beverage showing my improved drinking tube contained therein.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l, but showing r the crown of the bottle removed and the drinking tube buoyed upwardly through the mouth of the bottle for use by the consumer.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the tube shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective View showing one step in the method of manufacturing a strip for making f a spun or wrapped type of tube, the material of which the strip is composed being generally similar to that employed for the molded tube.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a partially completed tube formed by spinning the strip shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a partially completed tube having a modified construction and formed by spinning a pair of strips.

One form which my improved drinking tube may take is that of a molded straw composed of materials that give body and strength to the tube structure in conjunction with one or more other substances characterized by a capacity for rapid evaporation when exposed to the air, this action resulting in the formation of a multitude oi' gas cells in the wall of the tube which renders the same buoyant. One formula which I have found satisfactory for this purpose consists of. from to 80 per cent of a nitrocellulose, such as pyroxylin, 1t to 50 per cent of a nitrocellulose solvent, such as ether-alcohol, composed preferably of about three parts of ether and about one part of alcohol, acetone, methyl alcohol, ethyl acetate,

methyl acetate, amyl acetate, or similar organic solvents having a low boiling point and capable of dissolving or holding in suspension any nitrocellulose, 5 to 25 per cent of. ether, not over 25 per cent each of wood flour or wood pulp, and not over 5 per cent of castor oil. Any finely ground cellulose may be substituted for the wood flour, while either camphor, linseed oil, rape seed oil, or-triacetine may be substituted for the castor oil, since each of these substitutes dissolves readily ln the ether or the nitrocellulose solvent.

The particular percentages to be selected from the above noted ranges may be adjusted as desired to meet the requirement of the molding process, since changes in the various percentages affect the viscosity of the compound. For example, a tube molded from a compound comprising pyroxylin 40 per cent, solvent 39 per cent, either 10 per cent, wood flour 10 per cent, and castor oil 1 per cent forms a straw that is extremely easy to mold, dries quickly and is very light and buoyant, but is not as resistant to the attacks of water as a compound comprising 40 per cent of pyroxylin, per cent of the solvent, 10 per cent of the ether and 5 per cent of castor oil, the wood flour being omitted. A tube formed according to the latter formula is buoyant, elastic and waterproof, but dries very slowly and hence is difficult to mold.

I have ascertained that an extremely satisfactory drinking tube can be made from a compound comprising 45 per cent of pyroxylin` 44 per cent of the solvent,'5 per cent of ether, 5 per cent oi wood flour and 1 per cent of castor oil. The mixing of these several substances may be accomplished in a water jacketed container having an air-tight cover and provided with an agitator or paddle construction in order to secure a through mixing of the several materials. During mixing, the temperature should be maintained as low as possible in order to avoid any excessive evaporation of the solvent and ether, and extreme care must also be taken to avoid the creation of any electric sparks owing to the explosive nature of the gas rising from theether.

The determined amounts of the nitrocellulose, solvent and castor oil are first placed in the mixing container and stirred until all of the nitrocellulose is completely mixed in the solvent. The wood flour or pulp is then added and the stirring continued until an even mixture is formed, whereupon the ether is poured into the foregoing mixture and the complete batch further stirred, but only long enough to thoroughly incorporate the ether therewith. The entire batch which possesses a moldable consistency is then transferred to a mold adapted to form tubes and after extrusion from the mold, the tubes are exposed to the atmosphere, thus providing an opportunity for the solvent and the ether to evaporate. This action may be accelerated by the use of heat. The rapid evaporation of the ether, particularly, forms gas cells in the molded mass and it is the formation of these cells upon which primary dependence is placed to insure the buoyancy of the tube when placed in a beverage.

It is believed that there is no chemical reaction at any stage of the mixing, since the solids apparently do not combine with the solvent and ether, but are held in suspension until the evaporation of the solvent and ether leaves a thoroughly incorporated solid having a multitude of gas cells interspersed throughout the body thereof. It is contemplated that, under certain condi'- tions, it may be possible to eliminate the ether and to depend upon the evaporation of the solvent to form the gas cells. The solvent, however, evaporates much more slowly than does the ether which somewhat delays the molding process. It

is also considered to be within the range of my invention to stimulate the generation of the gas cells by mechanical means, such as by agitating the mixture very rapidly with a mechanical stirrer, or by introducing compressed air into the mixture by means of jets, either of these actions trapping air in the mass and creating a cellular condition which enhances the buoyancy of the tubes formed therefrom.

As an alternative method of making the molded tube, I have ascertained that certain economies in the amounts of material employed may be effected by compounding the substances in a different manner. For example, if the nitrocellulose is permitted to absorb the solvent instead of mixing by stirring, it is possible to employ a considerably smaller quantity of solvent. According to this method, the desired quantity of nitrocellulose is placed in an air-tight vessel and about one-third of the solvent, according to the formula presently set forth, is then poured over the nitrocellulose, the vessel closed, and the total mass permitted to stand for from four to eight hours. Upon the completion of this period, a

similar quantity of solvent is added and the mass again allowed to soak for a like period, whereupon the final portion of the solvent is added after having first been mixed with the ether, castor oil and wood flour, if the latter is to be one of the ingredients. This total mass is then allowed t soak in the vessel for several hours additional when the composition is ready for the mold. This method requires more time than that rst described, but its advantages consist in a reduction in the amount of solvent and a greater uniformity in the texture of the mass.

It has been ascertained that tubes having either of the following compositions are satisfactory when the various substances are associated according to the method just described:

15 Percent Nitrocellulose 70 Acetone 25 Ether 4 Castor oil 1 Percent Nitrocellulose 50 Wood flour 25 Acetone 35 Ether 4 `Castor oil 1 Cil The function of the solvent and the ether in the compound has already been discussed. As for the remaining components, the pyroxylin imparts body and elasticity to the compound, the wood flour and pulp simply act as fillers, while the castor oil gives strength to the compound.

A tube made according to either of the fore-l r going methods is generally represented by the numeral I0 in Fig. 1. This tube is shown as being retained in a beverage filled bottle I I by the usual crown I2. buoyancy of the tube propels the same upwardly through the mouth of the bottle for convenient use by the consumer, and this natural buoyancy of the tube is further enhanced by the tendency, in the case of carbonated beverages, of the gas bubbles to cling to the exterior of the tube.

As a modification of the molded Itype of straw, I also propose to make a drinking tube composed of waterproofed paper which is spun on -thev mandrel of the customary straw spinning machine in the same manner as is now performed for drinking straws or tubes composed of waxed paper. The waterproofing of the paper may be effected by passing the same through a suitable bath prior to reaching the spinning machine, and it is also contemplated that the waterproofing may be actually accomplished during the spinning process.

Some of the compounds which may be employed as waterproofing baths are pyroxylin which has been dissolved in a solution composed of one part of ethyl alcohol and three parts ether, acetone, or any other pyroxylin solvent, or a 40 percent solution of zinc chloride, or a solution consisting of one part of zinc chloride and three parts of hydrochloric acid, or a solution consisting of 3 parts of copper oxide and 15 parts of ammonia. A tube of this type is not buoyant and it may be cut to a length somewhat greater than the internal height of the bottle. It is placed in the bottle in a canted position with the lower end of the tube contacting the bottom at one side of the bottle and the upper end resting against the opposite side within the neck. In this position, the tube does not interfere with the application of the crown and it is capable of easy withdrawal by the fingers.

When this crown is removed, thev A tube made according to any of the foregoing methods, whether molded or spun, is suiciently flexible to be slightly bowed when pressed at its ends. This characteristic enables different length tubes to be made to satisfy different conditions.

For example, a molded tube which is buoyant may be cut to a length equal to or slightly less than the internal height of the bottle, so that when the crown is removed, a portion of the tube will be propelled upwardly through the neck of the bottle; or the same type of tube may be cut somewhat longer and lt will therefore be slightly bowed when in place in the bottle. The latter tube will present a longer portion above the bottle when the crown is removed.

In the case of the spun tube, it is contemplated that its length will be greater than the internal height of the bottle. This dimension is necessary because of its lack of buoyancy so that dependence must be placed upon the straightening of the tube when the crown is removed to project a sufficient portion of the tube beyond the bottle neck for grasping by the user.

A further type of spun tube is illustrated in Figs.` 4 and 5 and the strip of which this tube is formed is characterized bygenerally the same properties as the tube IIJ. In making the former tube, approximately 20 per cent of lnitrocellulose is mixed with approximately 78 per centof the nitrocellulose solvent vand 2 per cent of castor oil until a thorough mixture is obtained. This mixture is then spread or flowed on a glass, metal, or other smooth surface which is slightly heated and preferably maintained at a temperature ranging from 120 to 160 F. The mixture so spread is then permitted to cool and is then cut up into strips, such as I4, which is shown in Fig. 4 as being rested upon the glass or metal block I3.

The thin material made according to the foregoing method is substantially transparent and incorporates a multitude of gas cells. This strip is then spun or wound in the usual manner and the successive convolutions of the strip are sealed to each other by utilizing a solution comprising about 3 per cent of nitrocellulose and 91 per cent ether-alcohol. The finished tube I5 'may be used in the manner generally indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 and it possesses the same characteristic of buoyancy.

A similar spun tube, but lacking the property of buoyancy, can be made by thoroughly mixingrfrom 20 to 50 per cent nitrocellulose, 8O to 5U per cent of the nitrocellulose solvent and 1 to 2 per cent of the castor oil and then flowingthis mixture. on a smooth surface having a temperature of about 70 F. After hardening this material is cut to form strips similar to the strip I4 and is then spun or wound to make the nished tube, using the sealing solution noted above. Althoughv the last noted tube is not inherently buoyant, the bubbles released in a carbonated -beverage when the sealing crown is removed will, except when the beverage is very cold, impart suffcient buoyancy to the tube to place it within easy reach of the consumer.

In Fig. 6 is illustrated a modied spun tube I6 which is formed by spinning a pair of strips I4 which are related as shown, so that the outer strip is symmetrically disposed with reference to and covers the spiral seam formed as the inner strip is wound. The tube thus formed is characterized by a. double wall thickness and the strips may be cemented together by the sealing solution described above. Moreover, this tube can be made inherently buoyant, or not, as desired,

2. A moulded drinking tube comprising pyi'oxylin, a ller such as a ground wood, and castor oil, and including sufficient; gas cells to render the tube buoyant when immersed in a liquid.

HENRY N. CORRELL.

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