Flexible straw and system and method of manufacturing the same
AssigneeHoffmaster Group, Inc.
InventorJohn P. O'Neill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A corrugating machine for forming a flexible paper drinking straw by forming annular corrugations in a tube, including a plurality of corrugating elements and means for moving the tube against the corrugating elements. Each of the corrugating elements is spaced apart from each other in both a lateral direction and a forward direction. The corrugating machine includes an assembly spool and a drum mounted to a side of the assembly spool for rotation about a common axis. A mandrel is mounted to the drum for reciprocation into and out of the spool assembly, to carry the tube against the corrugating elements mounted in an arc defined about the common axis.
Claims10
A machine for forming corrugations in a tube, the machine comprising:
- an armature,
- a plurality of corrugating elements attached to the armature, each corrugating element spaced apart from each other in both a lateral direction and a forward direction, and each radially set apart from a common axis which is offset from a longitudinal axis;
- the armature including a convex structural rib defining a receiving space, the convex structural rib having a generally semi-circular shape and surrounding the common axis;
- each corrugating element including a blade, each blade having an edge, and each edge including a first end, a middle, and a second end;
- the edge defining a convex arc from the first end through the middle to the second end, such that the first end is slightly further from the axis than the middle, and wherein the middle is slightly further from the axis than the second end;
- and
- means for moving the tube against the corrugating elements.
A method of forming corrugations in a tube, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a machine including a plurality of corrugating elements attached to an armature, each of the corrugating elements laterally spaced apart from each other and radially set apart from a common axis;
- providing a plurality of blades removably attached to the corrugating elements, wherein one blade is removably attached to each corrugating element, and wherein each blade includes an edge, each edge including a first end, a middle, and a second end;
- the edge defining convex arc from the first end through the middle and to the second end, such that the first end is slightly further from the common axis than the middle, and wherein the middle is slightly further from the common axis than the second end;
- feeding the tube into the machine;
- and
- over-rolling the tube against each of the corrugating elements so as to sequentially form a plurality of corrugations in the tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.