GB2582018A - Foldable drinking straw - Google Patents

Abstract

A reusable and washable drinking straw that can be unfolded from a tubular position to a substantially planar position. The straw comprises a plurality of segment panels 1-8 arranged into an array. Adjacent panels are connected via a plurality of longitudinal 13-18 and transverse 9-12 hinges. When in the planar position, the straw can be folded either about a series of parallel longitudinal hinges to form a tubular drinking straw, or by the co-axial set of transverse hinges such that the substantially planar areas divided by the hinges are brought together. Preferably, the panels are rectangular, planar or curved. Ideally, the straw comprises a closure mechanism in the form of a latch, clip (25 & 26, figure 7) or magnet (81 & 82, figure 12). Preferably, the straw may have a cylindrical or triangular cross-section while in the tubular position.

Description

FOLDABLEDRINKINGSTRAW

This invention relates to a drinking straw which may be fblded to facilitate storage transportation before use or between successive uses, Conventional drinking foinied from paper or polymeric n (rid elongate tubular structures usually Such straws use.

Disposable single straws formed from polymeric material are an enviromnental Concern, Cleaning of conventional straws may be difficult due to their narrow bore, Use of drinking straws may be essential for some Children or disabled persons who are unable to use a cup. I-levy-ever, transportation of conventional rigid straws or cups may be inconvenient or difficult.

According to the present invention, foldable drinking straw comprises ar array of segments connected by longitudinal and transverse groups of hinges; e segments may be arranged in open and closed configurations; em in the open configuration the segments form a slice which the hinges of each transverse group are coaxalI aligned so that sheet of tits may be folded Eabout the transverse hinges to folded coati ration of and wherein in the open:cot:I.:figura.gitudinal hinges of each group of e fiat Sheet are c idly aligned so that a plurality of segments ongitudinal binges to form a lobular closed co figuration, The nay he a fiat sheet o at array planar or CntVed seg buitir configuration the straw may he used to drink liquid When mci nay, be opened and folded about a transverse hinge axis to give a compact. toldet mtuctute, to facilitate tranapartatian sithou damage:: to The at:T.4,Ni Opening of the ao straw may fatiiitritetlesing for example, bYWaallifigerWiping.> The straw may co single group of transverse one, two or more transverse groups of hinges. A be employe The straw may comprise two, three oups of longitudinal hinges ly employed. tudinal hinges may be The longitudinal hinges may extend do p. °S two or groups.s are employed they may extend aliel 'axes.

The onaitu sverse groups ofhinges may he perpendicuii longitud, hinges may fintin a rectilinear array in tile open flat configuration of the straw.

The...;E:tg.triE,tits may have n elongate, rectangular shape. The se y be planar or may be curved and may have a part cylindrical configuration. The segments -e straight longitudinal edges connected by hinges to adjacent segments.

Each segment may be connectedby longitudinal and transverse hinges,the hinges being located along two, three or four edges of the segme The straw may further comprise a closure means, for example a latch for holding the, segments in the dosed configuration to font an airugh tubular structure, The latch may extend along the full length of the segment to form a seal in the closed position. Alternatively the latch maybe of one or Inore locations along the segment, The segment may comprise inner segments, im.emiediate segments and outer segments.

The array may comprisea plurality of longitudinally e.xtenchn.g inner segments, connected by one or mroi tmnbveise Wages; two or more groups of longitudinally extending intermediate segments connected by respective transverse hinges and a plurality of longitudinally extending outer segments, connected by one or Mute transverse hinges, t.e outer segments each icing arranged Pe segment in the closed or tubular configuration of the straw.

in a triangular straw, which may be folded once transy pairs of segments be provided, each pair being conneetod by a transversehinge, the transverse hinges d to be co-axial in the opened position of the array at seer n s; con pair consisting of two inner segments, a pair consisting of two intermediate segments and a pair of outer segments.

The -isumeans may comprise a latch or clip and may extend n an edge of an outer segment, the outer segment being arranged to overlie a first segment of the arr Alternatively or in addition A magnetic closure am the raw in one or both of the closed and fohied configurations, Alternatively, overlying surfaces of he segments may be orovid d with releasable adhesive or releasably adhesive or sticky coating to releasa, d the segments the tubular configuration during use.

The latch may comprise a resihent hooked flange. The flange may b shaped or L-shaped in transverse cross-section.

1db ii The Clip may eot magneticengagement or a fiisten inge or an edge of the The straw may have a proximal. insert into his or her h, and a distal end for insertion into a container of a drink or beverage stal end of the straw may be pointed to facilitate penetration f the seat of a carton containing a drink. Ti end of one Or more of the §,-,:genm,,,z pointed, ler example triangular, In facilitate 'nserfton through the seal of a car juice or other beverage, In an embodiment, the latch may a projection exten segment and engageabie within a corresponding aperture in another segment when the < two segments overlap e tubular configuration For example, a projection extending outwardly fihm dui una segment rg -be located so as to be received within a segment. -The hinge structure ii a conventional hinge Of the kind comprising a pin extending through apertures in knuckles.knuckles may extend from adjacent segments the hinge.

Alternatively, the hinge structure may be named from polymeric sheet continuously between adjacent segments, the sheet having a relatively narrow flexible portion to permit folding about the hinge axis.

s of the segments may e pi e abutment surf ces. Adjacent surfaces mas he arrnged to engag& o form a atcrtight and strnght seal in d, tubular configuration. The abutment surfaces may be formed thion or ether contact surface.

alt ig member may along C)ie or part of the edge of gments, The sealing member)ruerlc material or other deformable material arranged to contact an inner surface of closed tubular configuration otTthc straw. ug nt in the accs are ubular afiguratio es an tual contact as the -at d merit he hinge axes ha m y segments correspondingly Shaped aperture extending into or:through ft The strnv of the prose o ters seen ntages in previously known stray's, The straw may be easily folded from die open configuratic to the closed tubular configuration without requiring a high degree of 1 dexterity or causing damage to the straw. Furthermore, the straw may be unfolded from the tubular to the fiat confguiatton easily to allow the internal surfaces to be W a shed and dried, following which the straw may be folded transversely to allow convenient carrying, for example, in a usepocket.

The straw may he composed of resilient,dable material, for exm polymeric material such as a polyolefin for example, polypropylene to allow multiple use, The invention is ler described by means of example and not i iitli reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 shows plan or elevation views of a straw in accordance with this ion in the opened configuration; e 2 shows use of the straw for drinking a liquid; gine 3 shows the use of the folded stra-Figure 4 shows plan and perspective views of the straw; Figure 5 shows stages in folding the straw of Figures Figure 6 shows various views of the folded straw; are 7 shows details of the bided configuration; 8 shows details of the ftilded configu allan of an ultunative straw; Figure 9 shows a further straw in an opened configuration; Figure 10 shows opened and tubular configurations of an alternative a 7; Figure 11 shows details of the straw shown in Figure 10; re 12 shows plan and elevation views of a farther stray and c shows. a further straw with two transverse hinges in the open and tubular co figu [he toldahh. drinking s (1 to 8 sninged in pairs of lower segments (1; 2, 3, 4) and upper segments (5, 6, 7, 8) respective transverse hinges (9, 10, In the opened configuration Figures 1 to 7 comprises in segments shown in Figure 1 the segments are arranged to form a generally flat sheet in wine transverse binges (9 10, 11, 12) are aligned coaxially to form a combined Hans' erehinge. The lower segments (1, 2, 3, 4) may be folded about the combined hinge (9, 10, 11, 12) to form a folded configuration as shown in Figure 3, in which the upper and lower SCoTtlerltS) and (1) of cad pan of FmLc he fliono.side each other in generally parallel disposition. hi the folded configuration the straw may be we u4 plated in a user's pocket ftir storage or transportation as shown in Figure ormiseteil to * first inner ii The first inner lower segment (1 aitudii e illustrated embodiment ur parr econd lower (5) i 2) by iected to a cut (6) by a gitudinal hinge (14). The upper and lower d coaxially and perpendicular to the first longitudinal hinges (13, 14) are am-verse hinge (9) and is in the opener:, unfolded configuration as ahown in Figure 1, so that the pair of first upper and lower segments may he folded in relation to the second upper and lower segments (2, 6).

The third 3 and upper (7) segments connected second lower (2) and upper (6) segments by lower (15) and upper (16) hinges so that the second segments may be folded in relation to the third segments. In a similar arrangement the Or (4) fourth and upper (8) fourth segments are connected to the lower and upper segments respectively by a third lower (17) and upper (18) longitudinal hinges. Ile array of eight segments may be rolled up into an elongate tube for use as a drinking,1-*.1-w as shown in Figure 2.

The lower 19, 20, edges of the first, second and third lower segments (1.2, corner (22) forms a point in the closed tubular configuration to facilitate inst of the straw through a seal in a carton or other container of a drink or other bevera A flexible sealing strip having a lower (23) and etriirts along the inner edge of the inner segments and engages at inner surface of the third se the closed configuration to form a water tight seal as shown in Figure coupling flange (25, 26) extends from the outer edge of the upper (8) and lower (4) s, Each flange (25. 26) comprises an outwardly extending portion (2 30) and a folded back portion (27, 28) extending at im acute angle, for example 60" in relation to the extending portion to enable the flange to engage and clip onto a hinged corner of the straw in the closed configuration.

Figure 5 (A-fl) shows successive stages in unfolding and folding the straw a folded configuration in Figure 5E to a fiat configuration as the first inner longitudinal hinges (Figure 5B) followed by folding of the second longitudinal hinges (Figure 5(2) and finally in a triangular tubular configuration ()Figure 51)) as also shown The- segments 8) overlie segments) respectively s flanges (25, 26) dipped over the hinges (13, ) to secure the straw in the close tubular confl trnration.

shows various views of closed tubular cc 2e Y \% showing g and sealing the: closed pos oupling flange (26) ', tends parallel to the four upper segment. (8) and t in an acutely angled folded hack portion (28) formed from resiiiently defor iable matenal The flange (26) is arranged to clip over the approximately 60':' angle apex of ti (14) to I*etaM the segments in a triangular configuration during use The rip (24) exi ends into the inner apex of the hit between the third and 43 segments and is compressed between the segments to form a water tight seal in the closed position.

ware 8 showsalternative enihodimen oupling flanges t25, Is (1, 5) but are 263 ue omnied o thi the (Ourth segments (4, 8) overlie the first se riot be prow he easily hem in the closed position. The contacting surfaces c -d nay ith a releasable tack or semi-adhesive coating, although the segments can led in the closed position when held by a user.

riga] c 9 shows a thither nbodimen in which the lower edge of e li segments (1, 2, 3, 4) perpendicular to the longitudinal,hinges (13, 1. 17) is not provided with a pointed portion a Figure 4). We et ll the seal of a think carton.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate an mbodmiem in which the segi are part cy indrical so that tilt. stiaw in the fluldcd position genus:Ay cylindrical.

The foldable drinking straw shown in Figures 10 and 11 camp r lower segments (51 to 54) connected by transverse hinges (55 to 58) to ibur upper segments (59, 02). The lower segments are connected by lower longitudinal hinges (63 to 65) and e upper segments are connected by upper long hinges (66 to 68).

Each segment view having a constant cross sectional so that the shape of each segment terms part of a longitudinally extending cylinder.

Each segment may occupy an angle of about 120° so that the three inner segments (51 to 53) form a generally cylindrical tube when in the closed configuration as shown in Figures 1013 and 11.

The longitudinal hinges may he fOrmed front narrow regions of flexible pelymuri, metcrial, preferably the polymeri matinal used to form the segments of the straw. Polycielin, for example polypropyien ir polyethylene may he employed.

The transverse hinges may each comprise a knee-like arrangement. Two flexible curved portions e.g. (69, 70) are connected together at their ends and spaced apart at the mid positfim between the ends 1'he flexible portions are conitCcied by link portions form a knee-like arrangement to permit the upper and lowcrarrays to he folded together in same manner as for the previously described embodiments.

segments (51 d 59) have upper and lower longitudinal outwardly extending pro) correspondingly haped slots 174 75) to engage the segments and fasten the straw' in closed configuration.

wcr portion of the first, second and third lower segnents (51, 52, 53) extend d irdly to form a litate penetration of the seal of a traw into the container.

1 or other container dining in (77) extends longitudInally along the inner edge of the Roiling of the segments into the tubular configuration e sealing strip er surface of the third segments 53,61) to provide an enhanced seal of the d to prevent liquid from escaping from the straw in use. The sealing strip contamination of the locking members (72, 73), reducing any need to clean the straw 81 are configured to reduce e surfaces in use. This reduces any need to Each hinge, .tbr example (67) has an outwardly extendi between the outer surfaces of the adjacent segments e.g. 61) has a longitudinally extending contact portion, (79, 80) located inwardly of the hinge and configured to abut against each. other to close and seal the aperture between adjacent segments inwardly of the location of the hinge as the segments are ed or rolled into the tubular configuration. This arrangement improves the seal of the tubular arrangement and allows use of a simpler hinge construction.

Finure 2t shows an alternativefi arrange to 6 except that a magnetic i.o*.jog arrangement is proviapd. An array E of Iowa 7 d w he received within and form a press fit to rid beyond the aw between uses. ion (78) located Each segment e is provided on the outer segment(83) and is arranged to engage a ferromagnetic strip (88) located on the inner segment 8' The arrangement of the segments is reversed with magnets (82) being located on the inner segments,84) and a ferromagnetic strip (85) located on the egment (89). This arrangernert has the advantage 'that the upper and lower segm may be magnetically engaged when the straw is folded atiout the transverse binges due to attraction between the lower outer most magnets (81) with the ferromagnetic -* (85) and the lower ferromagnetic strip (88) with the -upper magnets (82), Ms arrangement secures the segments ia the Iblued position to prevent damage during transportation or storage, atid aNnserves the segments in the operative configuration to provide a seal when drinking into the same arrangement as shown in Figure 8.

3 shows an alternative arrangement that the straw may he folded twice arc as disclosed in Figures 1 to 8, groups of transverse y. The further features comprises for example, upper (92), middle (93) and lower setnnents (94connected to adjacent segments by upper (95) middle (96) low 971 longitudinal].) extending hinges. Upper ( and middle (99) engagement clips are provided.