GB2582040A - 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. The end of the straw may be cylindrical, oval or rounded in the closed position. The panels may have a elastomeric or rubber coating.

Description

FOLDABLE r JON A us invention relates to a drinking straw which may be folded to f storage transportation before use or between successive uses.

Conventional drinking stmws are gate tubular structures usually from paper or pi-hygiene naterial.SI are discarded after a single use, sable single straws tooned from polymeric material are an envirornn.ental concern. Cleaning of conventional straws may be difficult due to their narrow bore, Use of drinking straws may be essential for sane children or 153 bled PerSCITIS who are unable to use a cup. However, transportation of conventional rigid straws or cups may be inconvenient difficult, may be US2018/0160831 discloses a washable straw cornpnsing a foldvd, with means for connecting the ends to form a tub sheet which CN104921554 discloses a foldi o stie According to the present invention, a foldable drinking straw comprises alc or by longitudinal and transverse groups of hinges; wherein the segments may bc arranged in open and closed onfigurationa, wherein in ie open configuration the sepnents form a sheet in which the transverse hinges of each transverse group are coaxially aligned so that the sheet of segments may be added about the transverse binges to term a folded configure on of Lie straw; and wherein m the open configuration lot at biliobus of eael longitudinal hinges of the flat sheet are coaxially aligned so that a plurality of segments may be folded about the longitudinal hinges to form a tubular cioed corfigwauon 'he sheet be a flat of planar or curved se ents.

In the tubular configuration the str w may be used IC drnk liquid, 'When not in it straw na y be ripened and foldtx1 about Tansver se hinge axis to give a compact structure to facilitate transportation without damage to the stravii, Opening of the e cleaning, for example, by *vwrashing or wiping, damage or even split the body of the straw. Due to the lenglh and mechanical weakness of a straw, safe transportation may require use wry:jog ease. Otherwise wasteful sposal of the straw after a single use may be necessaiy. ;lid, don gate body such as a chopstick may be provided with a hinge to folding, IIo ever a tubular sisalwould 1 to be cut into.cctlons connected by a hinge, resulting in leakage and loss of seal whith is necessary for liquid to he sucked The straw present invention provides a straw which may be repeatedly folded ter transportation or storage, wnhror t any damage to the stracture which may result in leakage in use,This structure is easy and econcinical to mamditeture and avoids any need to PTO e nieas for folding, a tubular structure. ;The straw may compnse one. two or more transverse groups el hinges, A single group of transverse hinges may be employed. The straw may comprise two, three or more groups of longitudinal binges. Three groups of longitudinal hinges may be consequently employed, longitu&hiw. hinge onu ii ax When two or more groups of'transverse hi loyal may extend alongEparall axes The longiuudinal and transverse groups ofhinges may be perpendicula The longitudinal and trancrse hinges may arm/ a rectilinear array in th opened, or flat configuration of the straw. ;Each segment may be connected by longitudinal and transverse hinges, the gesbeing located along two, three or four edges of the segment Weida" or Clib&rate fold * structure causing a kink or crease in the tubular wall. Repeated fok coil se the tubular usitly rnents may have an elongate, rectangular shape. The segments may be ar or may be curved and may have a part cylindrical configuration. The segments haAre straight longitudinal edges coma-Ailed by M.nges to adjacent segatierits, The straw may further comprise a closure meat the segments in the closed configuration to form an amight tubt le a lamb for holding ore. The latch may extend along the full length of the segment to form a seal in the dosed position.

iatively the latch may be of one or more locations along he segment.

The segne compri: segments, intermediate segments and outer segments, The an as longitudinafly extending inner scgmen connected by one or more transverse hinges; two or more groups of longitudinally extending intermediate segments emmeeted by respective trimsverse huuiges and a pUiahi at longitudinally extending outer segments, connected by one or more transverse hinge, the outer segments each being arranged to overlie a respective inner segment in the closed or tubular configuration of the straw, In a triangular straw, which may be folded once transversely, pairs of segments be provided, each pair being connected by a transverse hinge, the transverse hinges ged. to be co-axial in the opened position y of segments; comprising a pair isting of two inner segments, a pair consisting of b intermediate segments and a pair of outer segments.

sure mans may comprise a latch or clip and may extend from an edge of an o segment,the outer segment being arranged to overlie a first segment of the array, Altcuuuitivelv or in addition, a magnetic closure may be provided.

A magnetic closure may retain the straw in one or both closed and folded.

cor figurations ac clip may corn er segment. e a resili member am engagement nanette fastener.. .1 edge of the ioengage A rubber or elastomeric sealing portion,preferably a sealing strip may he provided along one or both longitudinal edges of the array, in order to provide a water proof seal in the tubular configuration of the straw. In a preferrd. embodiment both edges have sealing portions located so that they engage in tubular configuration.

Alternatively, overlying surfaces of the segments nay he provided with releasable adhesive or asably adhesive or sticky coating to eleasably hold lb seguents in the tubulia-configuration dung use, The latch may comprise a re It hooked. c. The flange may be or L-shaped in transverse The straw ave a proximal end whidh a user may insert insertion into a container of a drink or beverage, h istal containing a think, iangtdar, to faci tit e nenetr [end ofo: scrtion through the sea on of the seal of ay be pointed, Jul other he straw may yeipoin bev and distal ends of the str each end being shaped to provide a repe configuration of the straw.

ped opening closed A triangular straw may comp segnents, optionally together with ee groups of ngitudinal tirth) of longitudinal nob may die the first group of longitudinal seg. structure, triangular tubular The p proximal end of t tied confiprt al ends of the longitudinalsegments may he configured so assembled straw is cylindrical, ovoid or otherwise roulade may faeiiit&e -losing of a user's lips around the straw in at the This se. In an alternative t comprising four or more groups of longtuUinal segmentsh proximal ends of the segments may be configured so that the proximal end of the assembled straw is cylindrical, ovoid or otherwise rounded to facilitate closing of a user's bps around the straw, uiar in s mbodiment the proximal ends of the proximal segments are each part on. For example, each segment may extend across an angle of about 120' so that the four segments; when assembled with the fourth segment overlying the first segment. will form a cylindrical mouthpiece of the straw.

which In this embodiment the assembled configuration the straw has a distal end =Mar in ciross-s I proximal end being urculat in cross-section.

A proximal portion of a proximal longitudinal segment may have a cross-sectional configuration which gradually changes from a part circular configuration at the proximal end to a straight or linear section where the proximal portion adjoins or merges into a main planar body of the proximal segment, in an embodim segment and engageable two segments overlap in the the latch may comprise ion extending from one corresponding aperture in another segment when the ultidar configuration. For example, a projection extending lv from the inner senment may be located so as to be received within a correspondingly shaped aperture extending into or through the outer segment, The hinge stru&ure maycomprise a conventional hinge of the kind comprisin.

a pin extending through apert res in knuckles The knuckles may extend fro1n adfaccn. segments to form the hinge, Alternatively, structure may he formed from polymeric sheet extending continuously between adjacent awl-Lents, the sheer having a relatively ii portion to permit folding about the hinge axis.

The edges ot the segmentmay comprise abutannat surfaces Adjacent abutment faces may be arranged to engage to form a watertight and airtight seal in the closed, tion. The abutment surfaces may be formed with a deIormahhi ens non or other contact surface.

The hinge axes may he located radially outwardly e abutnent surfaces and may be arranged o that the abutment surfaces are urged into mutual contact as the segments are moved into the closed tulnUar configuration of the hinge.

A resilient sealing member may extend along whole or part of the edge of the inner segments, The sealing member may he at elastotneric material deform b e material arranged to contact an inner surface of an overlying segment in the closed tubular configuration of the straw, The straw of the present invention confers several advantages in relation to previously known straws. The straw maybe easily folded from the pen configuration to the closed tubular configuration without requiring a high degree of manual dexterity or causing damage to the straw. Furthermore, the straw may be unfolded from the tubular to the flat configuration easily to allow the internal surfaces to be washed and dried, thi lowing which the straw may he folded transversely to allow convenient carrying, for ample, in a user's pocket.

)mposecl of resilien for ex title, a polymeric material such as a polyolefin for example, polypropylene ow multiple u ivention is farther described by rutins of example and not in a limita IC se with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: shows plan or elevation views of a straw Gordan to: in the opened configuration; Figure 2 shows use of the straw for drinking a liquid; 3 shows the use of the folded straw; CL shows Dian and perspective views ot the straw; Figure 5 shows stages in folding the straw of Figures 1 to 4; Figure 6 shoiNis vCCIOLS views of the folded straw; Figure 7 shows details of the folded configuration; Figure 8 shows details of the folded configuration of an alternative straw; OWLS a further straw in an opened configuration; Figure 10 shows opened and tubular configurations of an site Figure Ii shows details of the straw shown in Figure ID; Figure 2 shows plan A elm,.

e - views of farther straw; and Figure 13 shows a further straw with two transverse hinges in the open and tubular nirprations; Figure 14 shows the opened configuration of a further sir shows the straw of Figure 14 in the folded configuration; and, Figure 16 shows a further straw having sealing portions on both longitudinal edges.

The foldableAcing straw shown 1 to 7 comprises eight segments (1 to 8) arranged in pars of lower segments (1, 2, 3, 4) and upper segments (5, 6, 7, 8) ned by respective transverse binges (9, 10, 11, 12). In the opened configuration shown lie segmerds are arrariged to form a genet ally fiat sheet inwhich the transverse hinges (9, 10, 11, 12) are aligned coaxially to form a combined transverse hinge, The lower segments (1, 2, 3, 4) may be folded about the combined hinge (9, 10, l I, 12) to form a folded configuration as shown in Figure 3, in which the upper and lower segments and (I) of each pair of hinges lie alongside each other in generally parallel silion. in the folded configuration the straw may be conveniently placed in a user's pocket fbr storage or transportation as shown in Figure 3.

he illustrated embodiment there are four pairs of upper and lower segments.

The firs, inner loweris nd lower segment (2) by a first gitudinal hinge (13). The first inner upper segment (5) is connected to a second upper sognnt (6) by a first upper longitudinal hinge (14). The upper and lower firs di al hinges (13, 14) are arranged coarrially and Derpendieuiar to the transverse (9) and is in the opened, unfolded configuration as shown in Figure 1, so that the pair ot first upper and lower segments may be folded in relation to the second upper and segments (2, 6) The third lower (3) and -gments are connected to the second lower ad -upper (6) segments by lower (15) and upper ( 6) hinges sci that the second segments may be lidded in relahon to he third segments. la a similar arrangeinerit the lower (4) burt rand upper (8 fourth segments coo connected to the lower and pper third segments respectively by a third lower (17) and upper (18) longitudinal hinges. The array eight segments may be rolled up nto an elongate tube fir use as a drinkingstraw as of shown in Figure 2.

The lower (19 20, 21) edges of the first, dined so that a lower corner (22) forms a point in the dosed tubularfiguration to facilitate insertion of the straw through a seal in a carton or other container of a drink or other beverage, sealing strip, having a tower (23) and upper (24) sections extends along the inner cdgu of the tuner segments tr,C engagcs an inner intrface of the U (3, 7) in the closed configuration to form a water tight seal is shoikm in Figure 7 II o sealing strip n ay comprise a rubber or other dastome 'sting or surface to provide waterproof seal in use. A couplii 26) extends from the outer edge of the per (8) and lower (4) fourth segments. Each flange (25, 26) comprises an outwardly extending portion (29, 30) and a folded back portion (27, 28) extending at an acute angle, tbr example 609 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.

eM fading the straw t-f fblded configuration in Figure 5E, to a flat configurationlongitudinal hinges (Figure 5B) followed "oy folding of the second longitu s(Figure and ally a triangular tubular configuiution (Figure 501 as also,I10 VII in Figure 2, The outer segments (4, 8) over' segments (1, >,..) respectively with the flanges (25, 26) clipped over tile binges (13. 14) to secure the straw in the dosed, tubular configuration.

arious views of losed t Coo figuration.

Figure 7 is a detailed showing the loch closed position.

The ei extends parallel to the four upper segment (8) and angled folded back portion (28) formed from resiliently Figure deformable material. The flange (20) is arranged to clip over the approximately 60 angle apex of hinge (14) to retain the segments in a triangular configuration during use.

he sealing strip (2 to inner apex o third and fourth segments and is compressed between the segments to fbrm a water tight seal in the closed position.

Figure 8 shots an alternative embodiment in which the coupling flanges (25, 26) are emitted so that the fourth segments (4, 8) overlie the first segments (I, 5) but are not fastened to them in the closed position. The contacting surfaces of the flanges may he provided with a releasable tack or semi-adhesive coating, although the segments can be easily retained in the closed position when held by a user.

9 shows a lb:ruler embodiment in which the lower c scgments (1, 2 3,4) perpendkuhr to the longitudinal hing,cs (13, 15, 17) is not provided with a pointed portion (22 in Fig ire 4), use in pmetrating tin.' seal of a drink cart( The foldable drinking straw Figures 10 and Ii comprises four by segments (51 to 54) connected by transverse hinges (55 to 58) w two fourupper segments (59, 62). The Lower sew e connected by lowerAs iorinitudinal hinges (63 to 65) mid -the upper segments are connected. by upper longitudinal hinges (66 to 68), Figures 10 and 1 drical so th e an alternative embodiment in which the segm in the folded position is general y cylindrical onal profile so segment is curved in plan view having a constant ape of each segment foul's part of a longitudinally 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 IL The longiludinal hinges may be Ibinied from narrow poivmeic matenal, preferably the polymeric material us:eel to form the segments of e straw. Polyolefm, for example polypropylene or polyethylene may be employed.

ersehinges:may:each comprise a knee e '1 wo 11 rnoru ons 169, 70) are connected together at their ends and spa mid position between the ends. The flexible portions are connected by link portions to form a knee4ike arrangement to permit the upper and lower arrays to be folded together the same manner as for ti previously described embodiments, The f:t segments (51 and 59) have upper and lower longitudinal outwardly extending projections ç72 711 arranged to he recied within inad form a press fit M correspondingly shaped slot (74, 75) to engage the segments and fasten the straw in the closed cm The lower portion of the first second and third lower segments ($1, extend downwardly to form a pointed apex (76) to facilitate penetration of the seal o drink carton ot other container during insertion of the straw into the container A flexible sealing strip (77' extends longitudinally along the inner he most segments (51, 59).

Rolling of x segments into the tubular configuration urges the sealing strip (77) against the inner surface of the third segments (53,6 to provide an enhanced seal of the The sealing strip also ans COritarmna6on of the locking members (72, '73), reducing nee clean the tter use, The hinges (66, 67, 68) are configured to reduceleakage of liquid beyond the interior of the surfaces in use. This reduces any need to wash the straw between uses, Each hinge, ibr example (67) has ardly extending pivot portion (78) located between the outer surfaces of the adjacent segments e.g. (6), 61), Each segment (60, 61) a longitudinally "txteriding contact portion, (79, 80) located inwardly of the hinge and configured to abut against each other to close and seal the aperture between adjacent cuts inwardly of the location of the hinge as the segments are folded or the tubular configuration. angement improves the seal of tbc tubular arrarigen and allows use of a simpler hinge construction.

s an alternative arrangement similar to that shown in Figures ito cut that a magnet locking arrangem An array of lerwer ink-toots (Si) is provided on the outer segment (83) and is arranged to engage a ferromagnetic snip (88) located on the inner segment (86). The arrangement -if the segments is reversed with straw and to prevent liquid from escaping from the straw 1 inagne located lower (82) being located on the (84) and enc. strip 85 lent (89). This arrangement has the advantage tipper and tents may be edcally engaged when the straw is fold transverse hinges (87) due to attraction between the lower outer most magnets (81) with the ferromagnetic snip (85) and the lower ferromagnetic strip (88) with the 'upper magnets (82). This arrangement secures the segments in the folded position to prevent damage during transportation or storage, and also serves segments in the operative configuration to provide a seal when drin into the same arrangement as shown in Figure 8.

Figure 13 shows an alternative arrangement Ii tinges 90, 91), so that the straw may be folded twice Ira are as disclosed in Figures 1 to 8. roups of tnt aversely. The further Each row of segments comprises for example, upper (92), middle (93) and lower ts (94) connected to adjacent segnients by upper (95) middle i960 and lower (97) longitudinally extending hinges. 3er (98) and middle (9 gagement clips are provided, 14 and 15 shows an alternative foldable drinking straw wherein the proximal end is row facilitate engagement by a user's lips. The straw comp].

eight segments (101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107 and 108) arranged in pairs of lo segments,102,103,104) and upper segments (105,106,1i 7,108) joined by respective tiarseie hinges (109,110,111,112). The arrangements of the upper arid lower segments are as described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. However the proximal ends of the lower segments (101 to 104) are configured to provide a rounded proximal opening fbr the straw.

The upper proximal portions (113,1 14,115,116) are quadrant shaped in honrontal cross-sectumi and are secured together by hinges (117.118,119)-The tubular configuration is shown in Figure 15. The lower or distal end of the cross--section. The apices of the triangle may assist in perforating a seal drinks container (not).

proximal rlortions upper longitudinal segments (105,106,107,108) e folded to form a eyhndneai mouthpiece (I20) secured by ieking flange (121), Figure 16 shows a further embodiment similar to the embodiment sho Figures 4 and 15. The same components are indicated by the same reference nutrient as in figure 14 The regions of he longitudinal edges which overlap and contact each o the tubular configuration the straw are provided with an clastomeric or ribber coating in order to afford a wa..ertight ea: between the edges.

omprises eight segments (101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107 and 08) anged n pairs of IONVQ1 segments (101,103,103,1041 and upper segments (105,106,107,108) joined by respective transverse hinges (109,110,111, 12.). The upper and lower segments are as described with reference to Figu, 1 to 7, the proximal ends (113, 114, 115, 116) of the upper segments (105 to 1081 are configured to provide a rounded proximal opening for the straw in the tubular configuration, upper proximal portions (113,114,115,116) are quadrant shaved in horizontal cross-section and are secured together by hinges (117,118,119). configuration is shown in Figure 15. The lower or distal end of the straw is tr eross-seetion. The apices of the triangle may assist in perforating a seal on a drinks container (not shown).

The upper proximal portions cii the upper longitudinal segments (105,106,107,108) arc bilk d to foul a cylmdneal mouthpiece 1 10) sean ed by locking e (121).

A flexible sealing strip (122) extends along thinner edge of the upper and lower innermost segments (1 The strip (122) may he a continuous elastomeric strip 0:1/2<U:inning the full length ot the straw. Alternatively the strip any comprise irtdividuat sect on", at ached to or appl lo respective segments (101 or 105).1. proxirriai end of the inner segment (113) is coated with elastomeric material across the width of the sezment to piovid n cxtended contact end of the outermost egmeifl ( 1 1 6).