A PAPER STRAW WITH ENHANCED ORGANOLEPTIC PROPERTIES

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a straw (1) for the consumption of a liquid or semi-liquid edible product from a package (2) wherein said edible product is contained, said straw comprising a hollow elongated channel (3) having two extremities (4), characterized in that it comprises a coating (6) comprising at least one volatile aromatic product, said coating (6) being adapted to release said volatile aromatic product with the air that is mixed to said liquid or semi-liquid edible product, at the time the latter is sipped through said hollow channel (3).

Claims

1. A straw for the consumption of a liquid or semi-liquid edible product from a package wherein said edible product is contained, said straw comprising a hollow elongated channel having two extremities, comprising a coating comprising at least one volatile aromatic product, said coating being adapted to release said volatile aromatic product with the air that is mixed to said liquid or semi-liquid edible product, at the time the latter is sipped through said hollow channel.

2. A straw according to claim 1, wherein the volatile aromatic product is microencapsulated in the coating.

3. A straw according to claim 1, wherein the volatile aromatic product is entrapped in a jellified matrix coating for controlled release mechanism.

4. A straw according to claim 1, wherein the volatile aromatic product is stored within a capsule which is coated or similarly attached to the surface of the straw, said capsule being adapted to melt at a predetermined temperature to release the volatile aromatic product.

5. A straw according to claim 1, wherein the volatile aromatic product is selected from the group consisting of: aroma, extract or essential oil of fruits, flowers, plants, spices, green or roasted coffee, chocolate, candies, and a mixture thereof.

6. A straw according to claim 1, which is manufactured from a sustainable material selected from the group consisting of: cellulosic fibers, paper (white or Kraft), cardboard, bamboo fibers, apple fibers, sugarcane fibers, bagasse, avocado fibers, rice or wheat fibers, pectin, a mineral powder (such as stone powder or sand), biodegradable polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalcanoate (PHA), polybutyrate adipate terepthalate (PBAT), polysuccinate butylene (PBS), and a mixture thereof.

7. A straw according to claim 1, which is manufactured by extrusion of a pasty material into a hollow channel, which is cut to the desired length and then dried.

8. A straw according to claim 1, wherein the external surface of the hollow channel comprises at least one fish-hook shaped element adapted to prevent withdrawal of said straw from a package into which it has been inserted.

9. A straw according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the straw's extremities is folded and/or sealed and comprises at least one, dispensing openings located through the lateral wall of the hollow channel, said opening being placed at a distance from the folded and/or sealed extremity comprised between 1 mm and 15 mm.

10. A closed package for packing and dispensing a liquid or semi-liquid edible product, said package comprising a wall adapted to be pierced by a straw, characterized in that it further comprises a housing located on one of its faces, said housing adapted to arrange a straw for the consumption of a liquid or semi-liquid edible product from a package wherein said edible product is contained, said straw comprising a hollow elongated channel having two extremities comprising a coating comprising at least one volatile aromatic product, said coating being adapted to release said volatile aromatic product with the air that is mixed to said liquid or semi-liquid edible product, at the time the latter is sipped through said hollow channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the description of the presently preferred embodiments which are set out below with reference to the drawings in which:

[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a straw according to the invention;

[0038] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a straw per FIG. 1 inserted in a carton box, ready for use;

[0039] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a straw according to the invention;

[0040] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment of a straw according to the invention;

[0041] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the flow of product dispensed from a straw shown in FIG. 4;

[0042] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a straw in its folded configuration according to the invention;

[0043] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a folded straw as shown in FIG. 6, arranged in a pocket on the side of a beverage carton box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] In FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2 is depicted a straw 1 according to the invention, for the consumption of a liquid product for instance water or milk or an unflavoured nutritional composition, from a closed package 2 wherein said edible product is contained. Said straw 1 comprises a hollow elongated channel 3 having two extremities 4. The closed package 2 comprises a wall 5 adapted to be pierced by a straw.

[0045] Per the principle of the invention, the straw 1 comprises a coating 6 comprising at least one volatile aromatic product microencapsulated in the coating, e.g. a chocolate flavour. The coating 6 is adapted to release said volatile aromatic product with the air that is mixed to said liquid or semi-liquid edible product, at the time the latter is sipped through said hollow channel.

[0046] The coating 6 can be placed on the internal or external surface of the hollow channel 3. It does not necessarily cover the entire surface, but only a portion of said surface. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the coating 6 covers a small portion (illustrated with hatched lines) of the external surface of the straw, that is adjacent to the straw extremities 4. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7, the coating is applied on the internal surface of the straw (it is therefore not visible on the drawing).

[0047] If the straw 1 is symmetrical, the coating 6 is applied near both extremities so that a consumer can use the straw by sipping through one or the other extremities 4 (not shown in the drawing). If it is asymmetrical as shown in FIG. 1, the coating 6 is applied near only one extremity which is the extremity which protrudes out of the package 2 when said straw 1 is inserted therein, and through which the consumer will consume the product (FIG. 2).

[0048] In the embodiments depicted in the drawing, the drinking straw is manufactured from a mixture comprising 95% cellulosic fibers, about 1% of a mineral powder (such as stone powder or sand), and 4% of a biodegradable polymer such as polylactic acid (PLA), or polyhydroxyalcanoate (PHA) to liaise the fibers and ensure structural integrity of the material. The material is extruded and dried to form the straw.

[0049] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hollow channel of the straw has cross section which is square. In an alternative embodiment, the cross section of the straw is hexagonal, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Hexagonal or square shapes have proved to provide the greatest mechanical resistance of the straw, especially during piercing of a package wall 5 with said straw 1.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, the external surface of the hollow channel 3 comprises a fish-hook shaped element 7 adapted to prevent withdrawal of said straw from the package 2 into which it has been inserted (FIG. 2). This reduces the amount of individual items to be recycled since the straw if littered and recycled together with the package with which it was used. The environmental impact of the straw is improved after use.

[0051] In a particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, at least one of the straw's extremities 4 is folded and sealed, and comprises four dispensing openings 8 located through the lateral wall of the hollow channel 3. Said openings 8 are placed at a distance from the folded and/or sealed extremity of about 5 mm.

[0052] When the consumer sips the product from the package into which the straw is inserted, the product 9 reaches the mouth through the openings 8 and its flow is indirect and divided between the four openings 8, as depicted in FIG. 5. This enhances the sensory perception within the mouth, by allowing a better mixing of the liquid product 9 with aromatized air that is sipped at the same time by the consumer, said air having entrapped aromas taken from the coating 6.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 7, the straw 1 of the invention is adapted to be folded in a flat configuration, and arranged in a dedicated housing 10 located on one of a package faces.

[0054] It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.