CN216393745U - Folding drinking straw - Google Patents

Abstract

A folding drinking straw comprising an array of segments connected by longitudinal and transverse sets of hinges; wherein the hinges are configurable into open and closed positions; wherein in the open position the segments form panels, the transverse hinges of each set being coaxially aligned, whereby the panels of the segments can be folded about the transverse hinges to form the collapsed position of the straw; and wherein, in the open position, the longitudinal hinges of each set of longitudinal hinges of the flat body are coaxially aligned, whereby the plurality of segments can be folded at the longitudinal hinges to form a generally tubular closed position.

Description

Folding drinking straw

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a drinking straw which can be folded to facilitate storage or carrying prior to use or between successive uses.

Prior Art

Conventional drinking straws are typically rigid elongated tubular structures constructed of paper or polymeric material. These straws are discarded after a single use. Disposable single use straws constructed of polymeric materials are an environmental concern. Conventional straws may be difficult to clean due to their narrow orifice. The use of drinking straws is essential for certain children or disabled persons who cannot use the cup. However, conventional carrying with a rigid straw or cup can be inconvenient or difficult.

US 2018/0160831 discloses a washable drinking straw comprising a flexible sheet body that can be rolled or folded and means for connecting the end points to form a tube body.

CN 104921554 discloses a foldable chopstick.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

According to the utility model, the drinking straw comprises an array of segments connected by longitudinal and transverse sets of hinges;

wherein the segments are configurable into open and closed states;

wherein in the open position the segments form panels, and the transverse sets of hinges are coaxially aligned such that the panels of the segments can be folded along the transverse hinges to form a collapsed straw; and

wherein, in the open position, the longitudinal hinges of each set of longitudinal hinges of the flat panel are coaxially aligned such that the plurality of segments can be folded along the longitudinal hinges to form a tubular closed position.

The plate body may be a flat plate body or a flat array of planar or curved segments.

In the tubular state, the straw can be used for drinking liquids. When not in use, the straw can be unfolded and folded along the transverse hinge axis to form a compact folded structure, which facilitates carrying without damaging the straw. The straw is opened to facilitate cleaning, for example, water washing or wiping.

Inadvertent or intentional folding of a conventional straw will destroy the tubular structure, causing kinks or wrinkles in the tubular wall. Repeated folding can permanently damage or even break the body of the straw. Because of the length of the straw and the mechanical weakness, safe carrying may require the use of a carrying case. Otherwise, the straw may need to be wastefully discarded after a single use.

A hinge may be provided to a rigid elongate body, such as a chopstick, to facilitate folding. However, the tubular straw will have to be cut into sections and connected via hinges, which causes leakage and loss of the airtight seal that is necessary when liquid is drawn through the straw.

The straw provided by the utility model can be repeatedly folded when being carried or stored, and the structure of the straw is not damaged so as not to cause leakage during use. This structure is simple and economical to manufacture and does not require the provision of means for folding the tubular structure.

The straw may comprise one, two or more sets of transverse hinges. A single set of lateral hinges may be used. The straw may comprise two, three or more sets of longitudinal hinges. Three sets of longitudinal hinges may be used.

The longitudinal hinges may extend along parallel axes.

When two or more sets of transverse hinges are used, they may extend along parallel axes.

The longitudinal and transverse sets of hinges may be perpendicular to each other.

The longitudinal and transverse hinges may form a linear array in the open (or flattened) state of the straw.

The segments may be connected by longitudinal and transverse hinges, which may be provided along two, three or four edges of the segments.

The segments may be of elongate rectangular shape. The segments may be planar or may be curved and may have a partially cylindrical shape. A segment may have straight longitudinal edges that are hingedly connected to adjacent segments.

The straw may further comprise closing means, such as a latch, which holds the segments in a closed state to form an airtight tubular structure. The latch may extend along the entire length of the segment to form a seal in the closed position. Alternatively, the latches may be provided at one or more locations along the segments.

The segments may include an inner segment, an intermediate segment, and an outer segment.

The array may comprise: a plurality of longitudinally extending inner segments connected by one or more transverse hinges; two or more sets of longitudinally extending intervening segments, each connected by a transverse hinge; and a plurality of longitudinally extending outer segments connected by one or more transverse hinges, the outer segments each being configured to overlie an opposing inner segment in the closed or tubular state of the straw.

In a triangular straw which can be folded once across, there may be provided pairs of segments, each pair of segments being connected by a transverse hinge, the transverse hinges being arranged to be coaxial when the array of segments is in the open position; which comprises the following steps: a pair of two inner segments, a pair of two intermediate segments, and a pair of outer segments.

The closure means may comprise a latch or clip which may extend from an edge of the outer section configured to cover the first section of the array.

Optionally or alternatively, a magnetic closure is provided.

The magnetic closure may maintain the straw in one or both of a closed and folded state.

The latch may include a clamp, a frictional engagement, or a magnetic fastener. The clip may include an elastic configured to engage an edge of the hinge or the medial segment.

To provide a watertight seal of the straw in the tubular state, a rubber or elastomeric seal (preferably a bead) may be provided along one or both longitudinal edges of the array. In a preferred embodiment both edges are provided with seals to engage in a tubular configuration.

Alternatively, the overlying surfaces of the segments may be provided with releasable adhesives or releasable adhesive or tacky coatings to releasably hold the segments in the tubular state in use.

The latch may include a resilient hook flange. The flanges may be V-shaped or L-shaped in cross-section.

The straw may have a proximal end for a user to place into the mouth and a distal end for insertion into a beverage or drink container.

The distal end of the straw may be pointed to assist penetration of the closure of the carton containing the beverage. The distal end of one or more segments may be pointed, such as triangular, to aid in penetration of the carton-filled juice or other drink closure.

The proximal and distal ends of the straw may have different configurations, and the segments may be shaped at each end to provide the respective open shape of the segments in the closed state of the straw.

The triangular shaped straw may comprise three sets of two or more longitudinal segments, optionally a fourth set of longitudinal segments, which may cover the first set of longitudinal segments to form a sealed triangular tubular structure.

The proximal end of the longitudinal section may be configured such that the proximal end of the assembled straw is cylindrical, elliptical, or otherwise circular. In use, this rounded condition may assist the user in closing their lips around the circumference of the straw. In alternative embodiments comprising four or more sets of longitudinal segments, the proximal ends of the segments may be configured such that the proximal end of the assembled straw is cylindrical, oval, or otherwise rounded to assist in closing the user's lips around the straw periphery.

In one embodiment, each proximal end of the proximal segments is partially circular in cross-section. For example, each segment may extend through an angle of about 120 ° such that when assembled with the fourth segment overlying the first segment, the four segments will form the cylindrical mouth of the straw.

In this embodiment, the assembled structure of the straw has a distal end with a triangular cross-section and a proximal end with a circular cross-section.

The proximal portion of the proximal longitudinal section may have a cross-sectional configuration that tapers from a circular cross-section of the proximal portion to a straight or linear cross-section where the proximal portion abuts or merges into the planar body of the proximal section.

In one embodiment, the latch may include a projection that extends from one section and engages within a corresponding aperture of the other section when the two sections overlap in the tubular configuration. For example, a boss extending outwardly from the medial segment may be configured to be received within a correspondingly shaped aperture and extend into or through the lateral segment.

The hinge structure may comprise a conventional kind of hinge comprising: a pin extends through the aperture at the hinge loop. The hinge loops may extend from adjacent segments to form a hinge.

Alternatively, the hinge structure may be formed by a polymeric sheet extending continuously between adjacent segments, the sheet having a relatively narrow resilient portion allowing it to be folded about a hinge axis.

The edges of the segments may comprise junctions. Adjacent junctions may be configured to engage to form a water-tight and air-tight seal in the closed tubular configuration. The interface may be formed by a deformable pad or other interface.

The hinge axis may be disposed axially outward of the junctions, and the hinge axis may be configured such that the junctions are forced into contact with each other when the segments are moved into the closed tubular configuration of the hinge.

The resilient seal may extend along all or part of the edge of the inner segment. This seal may be an elastomeric or other deformable material configured to contact the inner surface of the overlying section in the closed tubular configuration of the straw.

The straw of the present invention has several advantages over previously known straws. The straw is readily collapsible from an open condition to a closed tubular condition without requiring a high degree of manual dexterity or causing damage to the straw. In addition, the straw can be easily unfolded from a tubular shape to a flattened state, allowing the inner surface to be easily washed or dried, and then the straw can be folded transversely for easy carrying, e.g., in a user's pocket.

The straw may be comprised of a resiliently collapsible material, such as a polymeric material (e.g., a polyolefin, such as polypropylene) to allow multiple uses.

Drawings

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan or elevation view of a pipette depicting the open state of the pipette in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the straw for drinking a liquid;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of carrying a folded straw;

FIG. 4 is a plan and perspective view of the straw;

figure 5 is a stage of folding of the straw shown in figures 1 to 4;

FIG. 6 is a different view of the folded straw;

FIG. 7 is a detail of the folded state;

FIG. 8 is a detail of an alternative straw collapsed condition;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an open state of another pipette;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an open state and a tubular state of the alternative straw;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the pipette of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a plan view and a front view of another straw;

FIG. 13 shows another straw in an open and tubular configuration having two transverse hinges;

FIG. 14 is an open state of another pipette;

FIG. 15 shows the straw of FIG. 14 in a collapsed state;

FIG. 16 shows another straw having seals at both longitudinal edges.

Detailed Description

The folding drinking straw shown in fig. 1 to 7 comprises eight segments (1 to 8) which are arranged as pairs of lower (1, 2, 3, 4) and upper (5, 6, 7, 8) segments and are connected by respective transverse hinges (9, 10, 11, 12). In the open state shown in fig. 1, the segments are arranged to form a substantially flat plate body, wherein the transverse hinges (9, 10, 11, 12) are aligned coaxially to form a combined transverse hinge. The lower segments (1, 2, 3, 4) are foldable along the combined hinges (9, 10, 11, 12) to form a folded condition as shown in figure 3, wherein the upper and lower segments (e.g. 5 and 1) of each pair of hinges are located in substantially parallel positions alongside one another. In the folded state, the straw is conveniently placed in a user's pocket for storage and carrying, as shown in FIG. 3.

In the embodiment shown there are four pairs of upper and lower segments. The first inner lower section (1) is connected to the second lower section (2) by a first lower longitudinal hinge (13). The first inner upper section (5) is connected to the second upper section (6) by a first upper longitudinal hinge (14). The upper first longitudinal hinge (13) and the lower first longitudinal hinge (14) are arranged coaxially and perpendicular to the transverse hinge (9) in the open unfolded state shown in fig. 1, whereby the first upper section and the first lower section of each pair are foldable relative to the second upper section (6) and the second lower section (2).

The third lower section (3) and the third upper section (7) are connected to the second lower section (2) and the second upper section (6) by means of a lower hinge (15) and an upper hinge (16), whereby the second section is foldable relative to the third section. In an approximate configuration, the fourth lower section (4) and the fourth upper section (8) are connected to the third lower section and the third upper section, respectively, by a third lower longitudinal hinge (17) and an upper longitudinal hinge (18). The array of eight segments can be rolled into an elongated tube for use as a drinking straw as shown in fig. 2.

The lower edges (19, 20, 21) of the first (1), second (2) and third (3) lower sections are beveled whereby the lower corners (22) form a point in the closed tubular state facilitating penetration of the straw through the closure of the carton or other container of beverage or other beverage.

A resilient sealing strip having an upper section (23) and a lower section (24) extends along the inner edge of the inner section and engages the inner surface of the third section (3, 7) in the closed condition to form a water-tight seal as shown in figure 7. The sealing strip may include a rubber or other elastomeric coating or surface to provide a water-tight seal in use. Coupling flanges (25, 26) extend from outer edges of the fourth upper section (8) and the fourth lower section (4). Each flange (25, 26) includes an outwardly extending portion (29, 30), and a folded back portion (27, 28) extending at an acute angle, such as 60 degrees, relative to the extending portion, such that the flanges engage and snap over the hinged corners of the straw in the closed position.

FIGS. 5A-5D depict successive stages of unfolding and folding the straw from the folded condition shown in FIG. 5E to a flattened condition, wherein the first inner longitudinal hinge is folded (FIG. 5B), then the second longitudinal hinge is folded (FIG. 5C), and finally the triangular tubular condition is formed (FIG. 5D), also shown in FIG. 2.

The outer sections (4, 8) cover the first sections (1, 2) and are each captured by a flange (25, 26) at the hinges (13, 14) to ensure that the straw is maintained in a closed tubular state.

Fig. 6 is a different view of the closed tubular state.

Fig. 7 is a detailed view of the locked and sealed configuration in the closed position.

The coupling flange (26) extends parallel to the fourth upper section (8) and terminates in an acute back portion (28) which is formed of a resiliently deformable material. The flange (26) is configured to catch the apex of the hinge (14) at an angle of about 60 ° to maintain the segments in a triangular state during use.

In the sealing position, the sealing strip (24) extends between the third section and the fourth section into the inner vertex of the hinge (18) and is compressed between the sections to form a water-tight seal.

Fig. 8 is an alternative embodiment, wherein the coupling flanges (25, 26) are omitted, whereby the fourth segments (4, 8) cover the first segments (1, 5), but are not fastened in the closed position. The contact surfaces of the flanges may be provided with a releasable adhesive or semi-adhesive coating, although the segments may be readily maintained in the closed position when held by the user.

Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment, in which the lower edge of the lower section (1, 2, 3, 4) perpendicular to the longitudinal hinge (13, 15, 17) is not pointed (22 shown in fig. 4). Which is used to penetrate the closure of the beverage carton.

Figures 10 and 11 show an alternative embodiment in which the segments are part-cylindrical so that the straw in the folded position is substantially cylindrical.

The drinking straw of the collapsible type shown in fig. 10 and 11 comprises four lower sections (51 to 54) connected to four upper sections (59 to 62) with transverse hinges (55 to 58). The lower sections are connected at lower longitudinal hinges (63-65) and the upper sections are connected at upper longitudinal hinges (66-68).

Each segment is curved in plan view and has a continuous cross-sectional profile, whereby the shape of each segment forms part of a longitudinally extending cylinder. Each segment may occupy an angle of about 120 deg., whereby the three inner segments (51-53) form a generally cylindrical tube in the closed state shown in fig. 10B and 11.

The longitudinal hinge may be formed from a narrow range of resilient polymeric materials, with the polymeric material used to form the straw section being preferred. Polyolefins such as polypropylene or polyethylene may be used.

The lateral hinges may each comprise a knee-like configuration. Two resilient flexures (e.g., 69 and 70) are joined together at their ends and spaced apart from each other at an intermediate position between the ends. The elastic portions may be connected by a connection (71) to form a knee arrangement that allows the upper and lower arrays to be folded together in the same manner as for the above embodiments.

The inner segments (51 and 59) have upper (72) and lower (73) longitudinally outwardly extending protrusions which are configured to be received in correspondingly shaped grooves (74, 75) and form a press fit to engage the segments in a closed state and secure the straw.

Lower portions of the first lower section (51), the second lower section (52), and the third lower section (53) extend downwardly to form a tip apex (76) that facilitates penetration into a closure of a beverage carton or other container during insertion of the straw into the container.

An elastomeric sealing strip (77) extends longitudinally along the inner edge of the innermost segment (51, 59).

Rolling the segments into a tubular state forces the sealing strip (77) against the inner surface of the third segment (53, 61) to provide an improved straw seal and to prevent liquid from escaping from the straw in use. The sealing strip also avoids contamination of the locking members (72, 73) and reduces any need to clean the straw after use.

The hinges (66, 67, 68) are arranged to reduce leakage of liquid over the inner surface in use. This reduces any need to clean the pipette between uses. Each hinge (e.g., 67) has an outwardly extending pivot (78) provided on the outer surface of the adjoining segment (e.g., 60, 61). Each segment (60, 61) has longitudinally extending contact portions (79, 80) provided inside the hinge and arranged to abut against each other to close and seal the aperture between adjacent segments in the position of the hinge when the segments are folded or rolled into a tubular state. This arrangement improves the sealing of the tubular arrangement and allows for a simpler hinge structure to be used.

Fig. 12 depicts an alternative configuration, which is similar to that shown in fig. 1-6, but which is provided with a magnetic locking configuration. An array of lower magnets (81) is provided on the outer section (83) and is configured to engage a ferromagnetic strip (88) provided on the inner section (86). The arrangement of the segments is reversed with the magnets (82) disposed on the inner segment (84) and the ferromagnetic strip (85) disposed on the outer segment (89). This configuration has the benefit that when the pipette is folded about the transverse hinge (87), the upper and lower sections can magnetically engage due to the attraction between the lower outermost magnets (81) and the ferromagnetic strip (85) and the attraction between the lower ferromagnetic strip (88) and the upper magnets (82). This arrangement ensures that the segments remain in the folded position during carriage or storage to avoid injury, yet provide a seal in the operative state to the same arrangement as shown in figure 8 when consumed.

Figure 13 depicts an alternative configuration having two sets of transverse hinges (90, 91) whereby the straw can be folded transversely twice. Other features of the straw are disclosed in figures 1 to 8.

Each row of segments includes, for example, an upper segment (92), a middle segment (93), and a lower segment (94) connected to adjacent segments by upper longitudinally extending hinges (95), middle longitudinally extending hinges (96), and lower longitudinally extending hinges (97). An upper joining fixture (98) and an intermediate joining fixture (99) are also provided.

Fig. 14 and 15 depict an alternative folding drinking straw in which the proximal end is rounded to aid in the fit of the user's lips. The straw comprises eight segments (101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107 and 108) configured as pairs of a lower segment (101, 102, 103, 104) and an upper segment (105, 106, 107, 108) and joined by transverse hinges (109, 110, 111, 112), respectively. The configuration of the upper and lower segments is as described with reference to fig. 1-7. However, the proximal end of the lower section (101-104) is arranged to provide a circular proximal opening for the suction tube.

The lower proximal portions (113, 114, 115, 116) are fan-shaped in horizontal section and are fixed together by hinges (117, 118, 119). The tubular state is depicted in fig. 15. The cross-section of the lower or distal end of the straw is triangular. The apex of the triangle may assist in piercing the seal (not shown) on the beverage container.

The upper proximal end of the upper longitudinal segments (105, 106, 107, 108) is folded to form a cylindrical suction opening (120) secured through a locking flange (121).

FIG. 16 depicts another embodiment similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. Like components are identified with like reference numerals as shown in fig. 14.

The longitudinal edge regions which overlap and contact each other in the tubular state of the straw are provided with an elastic or rubber coating to provide a water-tight seal between the edges.

The straw comprises eight segments (101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107 and 108) configured as pairs of a lower segment (101, 102, 103, 104) and an upper segment (105, 106, 107, 108) and joined by transverse hinges (109, 110, 111, 112), respectively. The configuration of the upper and lower segments is as described with reference to fig. 1-7. However, the proximal ends (113, 114, 115, 116) of the upper sections (105 to 108) are arranged to provide a circular proximal opening for the suction tube in a tubular state.

The upper proximal portions (113, 114, 115, 116) are fan-shaped in horizontal section and are fixed together by hinges (117, 118, 119). The tubular state is depicted in fig. 15. The cross-section of the lower or distal end of the straw is triangular. The apex of the triangle may assist in piercing a seal (not shown) on a beverage container.

The upper proximal end of the upper longitudinal segments (105, 106, 107, 108) is folded to form a cylindrical suction opening (120) secured through a locking flange (121).

An elastomeric seal strip (122) extends along the inner edges of the upper and lower innermost sections (101, 105). The sealing strip (122) may be a continuous elastic strip that extends the full length of the straw. Alternatively, the sealing strip may comprise individual segments affixed or applied to each segment (101 or 105). The upper proximal end of the inner segment (113) may be coated with an elastic material over the full width of the segment, which provides an extended contact area with the elastic coated area proximal to the outermost segment (116).

Claims (17)

1. A folding drinking straw comprising an array of segments connected by longitudinal and transverse sets of hinges:

wherein the segments may be configured with open and closed configurations;

wherein in the open configuration the segments form panels, each of the transverse sets of hinges being coaxially aligned whereby the panels of the segments are foldable along the transverse hinges to form a folded condition of the straw; and

wherein, in the open configuration, the longitudinal hinges of each set of hinges of the flat plate body are coaxially aligned such that a plurality of segments can be folded along the longitudinal hinges to form a tubular closed state.

2. The pipette of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal hinge extends along parallel axes when in the open state.

3. The drinking straw according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal hinge and the transverse hinge are vertical.

4. The pipette as specified in claim 1 wherein the longitudinal or transverse hinges form a linear array in the open or flattened state of the pipette.

5. The pipette as specified in claim 1 wherein the segments are rectangular.

6. The pipette of claim 1 wherein the segments are planar.

7. The pipette as specified in claim 1 wherein the pipette is triangular in cross-section in the closed position.

8. The pipette as specified in claim 1 wherein the segments are curved.

9. The pipette as specified in claim 1 wherein the pipette is cylindrical in the closed position.

10. The pipette of claim 1 further comprising a closure.

11. The pipette of claim 8 wherein the closure comprises a latch or a clamp.

12. The pipette of any of claims 10 or 11 wherein the closure comprises a magnetic closure.

13. The pipette as specified in claim 12 wherein the magnetic closure can hold the pipette in the closed or folded state.

14. The pipette as recited in claim 1, wherein the segments comprise: an array of longitudinally extending inner segments connected by a transverse hinge; two or more longitudinally extending intermediate sections connected by respective transverse hinges; and a plurality of longitudinally extending outer segments connected by one or more transverse hinges, each outer segment being configured to cover an opposing inner segment thereof in the closed or tubular configuration of the straw.

15. The pipette as specified in claim 1 wherein the proximal and distal ends of the pipette have different configurations in the closed position.

16. The pipette as specified in claim 15 wherein the proximal end of the pipette is cylindrical, oval or other circular shape in the closed position.

17. The pipette of claim 1, wherein one or both of the inner and outer segments has an elastic or rubber portion or coating.

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