# US 2014/0191060 A1 · Flow Limiting Drinking Straw

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- Number: US 2014/0191060 A1
- Document ID: US20140191060A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/149,783
- Filed: 2014-01-07
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-07
- Inventors: Jennifer Hanners
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191060A1

## CPC

- A47G 21/185: {Mouthpieces}
- A47G 21/18: Drinking straws or the like ({as integral parts of drinking containers A47G19/2266;} for therapeutic purposes A61J15/00 {; adapted to emerge from drinking containers when opened B65D77/283})
- A61J 7/0038: {Straws}
- A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B)
- A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE

## Abstract

A fluid flow regulating component adapted for sealed engagement to a drinking straw is provided to prevent excess fluid flow to users drinking with a straw. The device has a body adapted to engage the straw at one end to direct fluid flow through an axial cavity to an exit aperture. A translating valve body within the axial cavity ceases fluid flow during periods of excess acceleration or volume. A secondary valve may be engaged to prevent backflow of the fluid.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fluid flow regulating apparatus, adapted for sealed engagement to a drinking straw, comprising:
a body having a first end;
said body having a second end opposite said first end;
an exit aperture at said second end;
an axial passage defined by a sidewall, said axial passage running through said body in communication with said exit aperture, and an opening at said first end adapted for a sealed engagement with a drinking straw;
a sealing member having a circumferential surface sized for a translating engagement within said axial passage;
said sealing member having a first end having an annular angled surface;
an annular seat surrounding said exit aperture, said annular seat formed at an angle complimentary to said annular angled surface;
said sealing member having a seated position blocking communication of said exit aperture with said axial passage;
said sealing member having a second position allowing said communication of said exit aperture with said axial chamber;
a gap formed between said circumferential surface and said sidewall; and
said gap providing a passage for a communication of a fluid flow from said straw to said exit aperture with said sealing member in said second position; and
said sealing member in said seated position causing a cessation of said fluid flow.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The fluid flow regulating apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising:
an acceleration of said fluid flow caused by a suction force at said exit aperture, to a fluid flow rate exceeding a predetermined maximum, causing a biasing of said sealing member to said seated position, whereby said fluid flow provided to a mouth of a user imparting said suction at said exit aperture, is limited to a rate less than said predetermined maximum.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The fluid flow regulating apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising:
a plurality of fins projecting from said circumferential surface of said sealing member to respective distal ends;
said distal ends defining a circumference around said sealing member for translatable engagement within said axial passage;
gaps between respective pairs of said fins defining a plurality of said passages for a communication of said fluid flow from said straw to said exit aperture; and
said predetermined maximum said fluid flow being a volume of said fluid flow communicable through said plurality of gaps at said suction force, whereby a suction force sufficient to impart a said fluid flow exceeding said maximum fluid flow imparts said biasing force to said sealing member to urge it to said sealing position.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The fluid flow regulating apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising:
a plurality of fins projecting from said circumferential surface of said sealing member to respective distal ends;
said distal ends defining a circumference around said sealing member for translatable engagement within said axial passage;
gaps between respective pairs of said fins defining a plurality of said passages for a communication of said fluid flow from said straw to said exit aperture.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The fluid flow regulating apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising:
a secondary valve located at said first end in an engaged position;
a first end of said secondary valve located with said axial passage with said secondary valve in said engaged position;
a second end of said secondary valve having an opening adapted for a sealed engagement with said straw;
said first end of said secondary valve formed of flexible material having an inlet aperture formed therein;
said inlet aperture having a collapsed state blocking said fluid flow;
said inlet aperture having an enlarged state, providing a passage for said fluid flow;
a passage through said secondary valve communicating between said inlet aperture and said opening;
suction imparted to said exit aperture inducing a said fluid flow from said straw against said inlet aperture moving said inlet aperture to said enlarged state; and
cessation of said suction causing a return of said inlet aperture to said collapsed state, whereby said fluid positioned in said axial passage subsequent to said cassation of said suction is prevented from communicating into said straw.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The fluid flow regulating apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising:
a secondary valve located at said first end in an engaged position;
a first end of said secondary valve located with said axial passage with said secondary valve in said engaged position;
a second end of said secondary valve having an opening adapted for a sealed engagement with said straw;
said first end of said secondary valve formed of flexible material having an inlet aperture formed therein;
said inlet aperture having a collapsed state blocking said fluid flow;
said inlet aperture having an enlarged state, providing a passage for said fluid flow;
a passage through said secondary valve communicating between said inlet aperture and said opening;
said suction force imparted to said exit aperture inducing a said fluid flow from said straw against said inlet aperture thereby moving said inlet aperture to said enlarged state; and
cessation of said suction force causing a return of said inlet aperture to said collapsed state, whereby said fluid positioned in said axial passage subsequent to said cassation of said suction force is prevented from communicating into said straw.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The fluid flow regulating apparatus of claim 3, additionally comprising:
a secondary valve located at said first end in an engaged position;
a first end of said secondary valve located with said axial passage with said secondary valve in said engaged position;
a second end of said secondary valve having an opening adapted for a sealed engagement with said straw;
said first end of said secondary valve formed of flexible material having an inlet aperture formed therein;
said inlet aperture having a collapsed state blocking said fluid flow;
said inlet aperture having an enlarged state, providing a passage for said fluid flow;
a passage through said secondary valve communicating between said inlet aperture and said opening;
said suction force imparted to said exit aperture inducing a said fluid flow from said straw against said inlet aperture thereby moving said inlet aperture to said enlarged state; and
cessation of said suction force causing a return of said inlet aperture to said collapsed state, whereby said fluid positioned in said axial passage subsequent to said cassation of said suction force is prevented from communicating into said straw.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The fluid flow regulating apparatus of claim 4, additionally comprising:
a secondary valve located at said first end in an engaged position;
a first end of said secondary valve located with said axial passage with said secondary valve in said engaged position;
a second end of said secondary valve having an opening adapted for a sealed engagement with said straw;
said first end of said secondary valve formed of flexible material having an inlet aperture formed therein;
said inlet aperture having a collapsed state blocking said fluid flow;
said inlet aperture having an enlarged state, providing a passage for said fluid flow;
a passage through said secondary valve communicating between said inlet aperture and said opening;
said suction force imparted to said exit aperture inducing a said fluid flow from said straw against said inlet aperture thereby moving said inlet aperture to said enlarged state; and
cessation of said suction force causing a return of said inlet aperture to said collapsed state, whereby said fluid positioned in said axial passage subsequent to said cassation of said suction force is prevented from communicating into said straw.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The fluid flow regulating apparatus of claim 8, additionally comprising:
said sealing member formed of material providing a sealing member mass to said sealing member, said sealing member mass being greater than a fluid mass of a volume of said fluid equal to a volume occupied by said sealing member within said fluid, whereby said sealing member sinks in said fluid held in said axial passage in a direction toward said straw.