Device for sugar and/or caffeine content indication

Abstract

A drinking straw incorporates a sugar indicator section. When the straw is inserted into the drink, the indicator section changes color upon detection of sugar in the drink. This enables rapid and accurate detection of sugar in the drink. The sugar indicator straw may instead be formed as a drinking straw insert. The insert incorporates a "sleeve" through which a straw may be inserted. Then, when the straw is inserted into the drink, the insert changes color upon detection of sugar. The insert may then be disposed of. Further, the indicator may be incorporated in a drinking cup, preferably of the disposable kind. A section of the cup's wall is made porous, and the indicator is provided over the porous part. When liquid passes through the porous part, the indicator changes color if the liquid contains sugar.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 680,392 filed Oct. 4, 2000, and claims priority therefrom.[0002] 1. Field of the Invention[0003] The present invention relates to sugar content of beverages and, more particularly, to indicators for sugar content in beverages.[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art[0005] Many consumers wish to limit the amount of sugar they consume, whether for dietary or health related reasons. While the limit on sugar consumption due to dietary reasons may be relaxed on an individual-decision basis, limitations due to health reasons may be more stringent and may require strict adherence to one's doctor's prescription. Thus, while accidental consumption of a sugary beverage may be inconsequential for a dieter, it may bear grave consequences if the limit on sugar consumption is health related. Diabetes sufferers, for example, may have strict sugar intake observance requirement. Consequently, diabetes sufferers avoid sugary beve...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, a drinking straw incorporates a sugar indicator. When the straw is inserted into the drink, the indicator changes color upon detection of sugar in the drink. This enables rapid and accurate detection of sugar in the drink. The sugar indicator may be provided on the entire length of the straw, or only at a section of it.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, a stirrer is provided with a sugar indicator section. When the stirrer is inserted into the drink, the indicator section changes color upon detection of sugar in the drink. This enables rapid and accurate detection of sugar in the drink.

Problems solved by technology

While the limit on sugar consumption due to dietary reasons may be relaxed on an individual-decision basis, limitations due to health reasons may be more stringent and may require strict adherence to one's doctor's prescription.

Thus, while accidental consumption of a sugary beverage may be inconsequential for a dieter, it may bear grave consequences if the limit on sugar consumption is health related.

This would lead to an accidental serving of a sugary beverage instead of the non-sugary version.

Also, when serving a group, the server may inadvertently switch the "regular" and "diet" drinks, thereby accidentally serving a "regular" drink to a person requesting a "diet" drink.

While such a test method is useful, it requires maintaining a box of strips at all times. Moreover, dipping a urine test strip into one's drink is not aesthetic, and may be somewhat offensive in a restaurant setting.

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