GB2579263A

GB2579263A - A reasealable drinking straw

Info

Publication number: GB2579263A
Application number: GB1911525.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ip Johnny Fung Kin
Original assignee: LG Corp Ltd
Current assignee: LG Corp Ltd
Priority date: 2018-11-26
Filing date: 2019-08-12
Publication date: 2020-06-17
Also published as: EP3656256A1; JP3223809U; GB201911525D0; JP3223766U; CN209789413U; TWM594408U; HK1253655A2; US20200163477A1

Abstract

A resealable, reusable drinking straw 10 comprises a straw body having a first sidewall 21 connected to a second sidewall 22 via a bending portion 23 to form a tubular shape. The straw further comprises a hollow portion 30, defined by the first sidewall, second sidewall and bending portion, that extends along an axial length of the straw body, and an opening 31, defined by opposing edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, that extends axially along the straw body. The opening is closed by mating the first sidewall and the second sidewall to allow fluid passage through the hollow portion. The straw body may comprise male and female connection means disposed on opposing edges of the first and second sidewalls, wherein the opening is closed by connecting the male and female connection means. The male connection means may be a circumferentially extending tongue 51 and the female connection means may be a groove 52. The tongue may comprise a protrusion which faces radially outward and extends axially along the straw body. The straw may be made of silicone or flexible plastic. The thickness of the bending portion may be less than that of the sidewalls.

Description

SPECIFICATION

A Resealable Drinking Straw

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to the technical field of drinking straw, and more particularly to a resealable drinking straw which allows washing of the drinking straw's interior.

BACKGROUND ART

Drinking straw, being a handy tool for drinking, is widely used in catering industry. It is well known that plastic is durable, cheap and easy to manufacture. With these properties, a vast amount of plastic drinking straw is produced yearly and entered to the market. Although there is more environmental friendly materials like Bamboo, or Paper are recommended, the single use drinking straw find their way into the waste cycle or enter into waste fills or even end up as stray waste polluting our lands, rivers and oceans. Obviously, the abundant use of any one-off cutlery creates an enormous waste problem to society. On the other side, it is difficult to completely abandon the use of disposable drinking straw as it requires drastic change of personal behavior in the society.

Alternatively, washable drinking straw which allows the user to wash the interior is available in the market. This type of drinking straw is commonly made of stainless steel for durability. The washing can be done by inserting a long slim brush into the drinking straw to clean debris. Apart from this physical cleaning, sterilization may also perform for extra cleanliness. Nonetheless, people still refuse to use this washable drinking straw due to the hygiene issue. As the interior of the drinking straw cannot be seen easily, cleanliness of this washable drinking straw is doubtful.

Accordingly, there is a need for a drinking straw that can be reused and washed easily so that the cleanliness can be ensured before use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present application is to provide a resealable drinking straw in order to solve the problem that washing the interior of drinking straw is difficult.

The present application solved the above technical problem in this way: a resealable drinking straw comprising a straw body which comprises a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a bending portion, the first sidewall is connected with the second sidewall by the bending portion to form a tubular shape; a hollow portion, defined by the first sidewall, a second sidewall and the bending portion and extends along a axial length of the straw body; an opening, defined by opposing edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, extending axially along the straw body; particularly, the opening is closed by mating the first sidewall and the second sidewall to allow fluid passage through the hollow portion.

Further, the straw body comprises a male and female connection means, the male and female connection means are respectively disposed along the opposing edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the opening is closed by connecting the male and female connection means.

In one of the embodiments, the male connection means is a tongue extends circumferentially, the female connection means is a groove with circumferential depth which is capable to receive the tongue.

In another embodiment, the tongue comprises a protrusion facing radically outward and extending axially along the straw body.

In a further embodiment, cross sectional shape of the protrusion is a trapezoid.

In a further embodiment, thickness of the bending portion is smaller than that of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

Further, the straw body is made of flexible plastic material. In yet another embodiment, the straw body is made of silicone material.

In another embodiments, cross sectional shape of the straw body is triangle, square, hexagon, oval, rectangular, rhombus, trapezoid, pentagon or octagon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to make the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application clearer, the accompanying drawings to be used in the embodiments and the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below, it is apparent 10 that the drawings in the following description are merely some embodiments of the present application and that other drawings may be obtained by those skilled in the field without departing from the inventive nature of the present application. FIG.1 is an integral structure view of a resealable drinking straw provided by an embodiment of the present application; FIG.2 is a sectional view of a resealable drinking straw provided by an embodiment of the present application; FIG.3 is a structure view showing one end of a resealable drinking straw.

FIG.4 is a sectional view of a resealable drinking straw provided by an embodiment of the present application; FIG.5 is a sectional view of a closed resealable drinking straw provided by an embodiment of the present application; FIG.6 is a sectional view of a resealable drinking straw provided by an embodiment of the present application; Wherein, straw body 10, first sidewall 21, second sidewall 22, bending portion 25 23, hollow portion 30, opening 31, connection means 5, tongue 51, groove 52, protrusion 511 and 512.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In order to make the technical problems to be solved, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of the present application clearer and more understandable, the present application will be further described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are only intended to illustrate but not to limit the present application.

It is noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another component, it can be directly or indirectly on another 10 component. When a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, it can be directly or indirectly connected to another component.

In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying a relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature that defines "first" and "second" may expressly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present application, "multiple" means two or more than two, unless otherwise specifically defined.

Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, in an embodiment of the present application provides a resealable drinking straw, including a straw body 1 which comprises a 20 first sidewall 21, a second sidewall 22, a bending portion 23 and As shown in Fig. 1, the straw body 10 is in tubular shape with an opening extending alongside the axial length of the straw body 10. The opening allows the user to wash the interior of the straw body from the lengthy side, instead of rinsing the straw body from both ends. Particularly, the resealable drinking straw in the present application is made of flexible material to achieve maximum resilience such that the straw body could return to its original state after cleaning.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the resealable drinking straw provided by an embodiment of the present application. The straw body 10 comprising a first sidewall 21, a second sidewall 22 and a bending portion 23. The first sidewall 21 is connected with the second sidewall 23 by the bending portion 23 to form the tubular shape as illustrated in Fig. 1. A hollow portion 30 is therefore formed which is defined by the first sidewall 21, a second sidewall 22 and the bending portion 23.

Accordingly, the hollow portion 30 extends along the axial length of the straw body 10 which allows fluid passage when suction is applied to the end of the straw body 10.

Furthermore, the straw body 10 comprising an opening 31 defined by opposing edges of the first sidewall 21 and the second sidewall 22. Apparently, the opening 31 also extends along the axial length of the straw body10. When the straw body 10 is opened for washing, the opening 31 is the entrance to the interior of the straw body 10. In order to close the opening 31, a connection means 5 is disposed on the first sidewall 21 and the second sidewall 22. As the first sidewall 21 and the second sidewall 22 are intrinsically connected by the bending portion 23, connection means 5 further connects the sidewalls 21, 22 to form a closed cross sectional area/space, which is the hollow portion 30. On the other hand, the opening 31 is said to be closed by mating the first sidewall 21 and the second sidewall 22 via the connection means 5. The sealed opening 31 allows fluid passing through the hollow portion 30 when suction is applied to the straw body 10. It is important to close the opening in a manner that no air or water could be leak in/out. In this regard, the connection means 5 play an important role in providing a leak-proof straw body 10.

In some embodiments, the connection means 5 is a male and female connection, a male and a female connector are disposed respectively on the opposing edges of the first sidewall 21 and the second sidewall 22. In order to achieve a stronger connection, the male and the female connector extend along the axial length of the first sidewall 21 and the second sidewall 22.

Specifically, as shown in Figs. 3 to Figs. 5, in the embodiment of the present application, comprises a straw body 10 comprising a first sidewall 21, a second sidewall 22 and a bending portion 23. The first sidewall 21 is connected with the second sidewall 22 by the bending portion 23 to form a tubular shape. A hollow portion 30 defined by the first sidewall 21, the second sidewall 22 and the bending portion 23, extending along a axial length of the straw body 10. An opening defined by the opposing edges of the first sidewall 21 and the second sidewall 22 is extending axially along the straw body 10. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the opening 31 is closed by mating the first sidewall 21 and the second sidewall 22 to allow fluid passage through the hollow portion 30.

In some of the embodiments, the first sidewall 21 and the second sidewall 22 are further connected by a tongue and groove connection. A tongue 51 is disposed on the edge of the first sidewall 21 and extends axially along the first sidewall 21. Besides, a groove 52 is disposed on the edge of the second sidewall 22 and extends axially along the second sidewall 21. As the groove 52 is provided with the same shape and size of the tongue 51, the matching of tongue 51 and groove 52 completely closed the opening 31. Accordingly, the straw body 10 is sealed to provide a hollow portion 30 for suction.

In yet another embodiment, a protrusion 511 is disposed on the tongue 51. The protrusion 511 aims to strengthen the connection between the tongue 51 and groove 52. Particularly, the protrusion 511 extends axially along the straw body 10 and fit in completely into the groove 52. In order to achieve a better locking function, the protrusion 511 is disposed on the outer side of the tongue 51, facing radically outward. This protrusion 511 provides an auxiliary connection between the first sidewall 21 and second sidewall 22. When there is a pressure change in the hollow portion 30 during suction, the protrusion 511 helps to hold the shape of the straw body 10 and prevent deformation.

In some of the embodiments, the bending portion 23 is designed with a smallest thickness compared with the first sidewall 21 and second sidewall 22. It makes the bending of the straw body 10 easier, so that the user could flatten the straw body 10 from the opening 31 and clean the interior more thoroughly. Referring to Fig. 6, providing another embodiment of the present invention, the tongue 51 is modified to include two protrusions. The protrusion 511 and protrusion 512 extends axially along the straw body 10 and fit in completely into the groove 52. Apparently, the protrusion 511 is radically facing outward while protrusion 512 is radically facing inward. When the tongue 51 is inserted into the opening 31, both protrusions 511, 512 are fitted into the groove 52 to secure the connection between the first sidewall 21 and second sidewall 22. It helps to resist the deformation acting inwardly or outwardly to the straw body 10, therefore, providing a good sealed condition for suction.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the diameter and length dimensions of straw body 10 may be varied for different usage. As an example and without limitation intended, the straw body 10 may have an approximate length of 15 220mm, an outer diameter of 9mm so as to provide a desired flow rate and leak proof effect. In some embodiment, the length of the straw body ranges from 50mm to 300mm and the diameter of the straw body ranges from 5mm to 40mm. Specifically, the straw body 10 may further be manufactured in different shape. Preferably, as shown in Fig. 5, the cross section of a closed straw body 10 is circle, 20 thereby, forming a cylindrical drinking straw. In yet another embodiment, the straw body 10 is manufactured in other shape, such that its cross sectional shape is triangle, square, hexagon, oval, rectangular, rhombus, trapezoid, pentagon or octagon.

Specifically, in the embodiment of the present application, the resealable drinking straw is preferably made of flexible material, for instance, silicone rubber material. Food grade material with flexibility is also suitable. In some embodiment of the present application, the resealable drinking straw is preferably made of natural rubber or thermoplastic rubbers. For example, TPE (Thermo Plastic Elastomer) / TPR (Thermo Plastic Rubber).

Compared to the prior art, the resealable drinking straw of the present application has the following beneficial effects: Meanwhile, resealable drinking straw allows user to clean the interior of the 5 drinking straws. Thus, the hygiene can be guaranteed. It encourages the diner to reuse the drinking straw and thereby reduce the pollution due to the disposal of any one-time use drinking straw.

The aforementioned embodiments are only preferred embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the present application. Any io modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, and so on, which are made within the spirit and the principle of the present application, should be comprised in the scope of the present application.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A resealable drinking straw, comprising: a straw body comprising a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a bending portion, wherein the first sidewall is connected with the second sidewall by the bending 5 portion to form a tubular shape; a hollow portion, defined by the first sidewall, a second sidewall and the bending portion, extending along a axial length of the straw body; an opening, defined by opposing edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, extending axially along the straw body; wherein the opening is closed by mating the first sidewall and the second sidewall to allow fluid passage through the hollow portion.
2. The resealable drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the straw body further comprising a male and female connection means, wherein the male and female connection means are respectively disposed along the opposing edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the opening is closed by connecting the male and female connection means.
3. The resealable drinking straw of claim 2, wherein the male connection means is a 20 tongue extends circumferentially; the female connection means is a groove with circumferential depth which is capable to receive the tongue.
4. The resealable drinking straw of claim 3, wherein the tongue comprises a protrusion facing radically outward and extending axially along the straw body.
5. The resealable drinking straw of claim 4, wherein cross sectional shape of the protrusion is a trapezoid.
6. The resealable drinking straw of any one of claims 1-5, wherein thickness of the bending portion is smaller than that of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
7. The resealable drinking straw of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the straw body is made of flexible plastic material.
8. The resealable drinking straw of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the straw body is made of silicone material.
9. The resealable drinking straw of any one of claims 1-5, wherein cross sectional shape of the straw body is triangle, square, hexagon, oval, rectangular, rhombus, trapezoid, pentagon or octagon.