US20200163477A1 - Resealable Drinking Straw - Google Patents

Resealable Drinking Straw Download PDF

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Publication number
US20200163477A1
US20200163477A1 US16/290,617 US201916290617A US2020163477A1 US 20200163477 A1 US20200163477 A1 US 20200163477A1 US 201916290617 A US201916290617 A US 201916290617A US 2020163477 A1 US2020163477 A1 US 2020163477A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
sidewall
straw
drinking straw
straw body
resealable
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US16/290,617
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English (en)
Inventor
Kin IP Johnny Fung
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
LG Corp Ltd
Original Assignee
LG Corp Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=67990952&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=US20200163477(A1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by LG Corp Ltd filed Critical LG Corp Ltd
Assigned to LG Corporation Limited reassignment LG Corporation Limited ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FUNG, Kin Ip Johnny
Publication of US20200163477A1 publication Critical patent/US20200163477A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G21/00—Table-ware
    • A47G21/18—Drinking straws or the like

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates to the technical field of a drinking straw, and more particularly to a resealable drinking straw which allows washing of the drinking straw's interior surface.
  • Drinking straws are widely used in the catering industry. It is well known that plastic is durable, cheap and easy to manufacture. With these properties, a vast amount of plastic drinking straws are produced yearly and entered to the market. Although there are more environmentally friendly materials like bamboo or paper, most single use drinking straws find their way into the waste cycle, enter into waste fills, or end up as stray waste polluting our lands, rivers and oceans. The abundant use of any single-use product 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.
  • a washable drinking straw which allows the user to wash the interior surface of the drinking straw is available in the market.
  • This type of drinking straw is commonly made of stainless steel for durability.
  • the washing can only 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 hygiene issues. As the interior of the drinking straw cannot be seen easily, cleanliness of this washable drinking straw is uncertain.
  • An object of the disclosure is to provide a resealable drinking straw to solve the problem that washing the interior of drinking straw is difficult and cleanliness is uncertain.
  • the drinking straw disclosed herein solves the above technical problem in this way: by providing a resealable drinking straw comprising in one embodiment 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. Also disclosed is a hollow portion, defined by the first sidewall, a second sidewall and the bending portion and extends along an axial length of the straw body. Also disclosed is 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.
  • the male connection includes a tongue extending circumferentially
  • the female connection is a groove with circumferential depth which is configured to receive the tongue.
  • the tongue comprises a protrusion facing radially outward and extending axially along the straw body.
  • thickness of the bending portion is smaller than that of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
  • the straw body is made of flexible plastic material. In yet another embodiment, the straw body is made of silicone material.
  • the cross-sectional shape of the straw body is a triangle, square, hexagon, oval, rectangular, rhombus, trapezoid, pentagon, or octagon.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a resealable drinking straw.
  • FIG. 2 is an end view of one embodiment of a resealable drinking straw.
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing one embodiment of one end of a resealable drinking straw.
  • FIG. 5 is an end view of one embodiment of a closed resealable drinking straw.
  • FIG. 6 is an end view of one embodiment of a resealable drinking straw.
  • a component when referred to as being “fixed to” or “disposed on” another component, it can be fixed or disposed directly or indirectly on another component.
  • a component When a component is referred to as being “connected to” another component, it can be directly or indirectly connected to another component.
  • 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.
  • “multiple” means two or more than two, unless otherwise specifically defined.
  • a resealable drinking straw including a straw body 10 which in one embodiment comprises a first sidewall 21 , a second sidewall 22 , a bending portion 23 therebetween, hollow portion 30 , opening 31 , connection 5 , optional tongue 51 , groove 52 , protrusion 511 and protrusion 512 .
  • the straw body 10 is substantially tubular with an opening 31 extending the axial length of the straw body 10 .
  • the opening 31 allows the user to wash the interior of the straw body from the lengthy side, instead of rinsing the straw body from both ends.
  • the resealable drinking straw in the present disclosure is made of flexible material to achieve maximum resilience such that the straw body 10 could return to its original state after cleaning.
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the resealable drinking straw provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the straw body 10 comprising a first sidewall 21 , a second sidewall 22 and a bending portion 23 .
  • the first sidewall 21 of this embodiment 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 the axial length of the straw body 10 which allows fluid passage when suction is applied to the end of the straw body 10 .
  • the straw body 10 is shown in FIG. 2 comprising an opening 31 defined by opposing edges of the first sidewall 21 and the second sidewall 22 .
  • the opening 31 extends along the axial length of the straw body 10 .
  • the opening 31 is the entrance to the interior of the straw body 10 .
  • a connection 5 comprising in one example first surface 5 a and second surface 5 b is disposed on the first sidewall 21 and the second sidewall 22 respectively.
  • connection 5 further connects the sidewalls 21 , 22 to form a closed cross sectional area/space, which is the hollow portion 30 .
  • the opening 31 is configured to be closed by mating the first sidewall 21 and the second sidewall 22 via the connection 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 substantially no air or water could be leak in/out.
  • the connection 5 plays an important role in providing a leak-proof straw body 10 .
  • connection 5 c 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 .
  • the male and the female connector in one embodiment extend along the axial length of the first sidewall 21 and the second sidewall 22 .
  • a straw body 10 comprising a first sidewall 21 , a second sidewall 22 and a bending portion 23 .
  • the first sidewall 21 is connected to 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 the axial length of the straw body 10 .
  • An opening 31 is 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. 4 when compared to 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 .
  • first sidewall 21 and the second sidewall 22 are further connected by a tongue 51 and groove 52 connection.
  • a tongue 51 is disposed on the edge of the first sidewall 21 and in one embodiment extends axially along the first sidewall 21 .
  • a groove 52 is disposed on the edge of the second sidewall 22 and in one embodiment extends axially along the second sidewall 21 .
  • the connection of tongue 51 and groove 52 closes the opening 31 . Accordingly, the straw body 10 is sealed to provide a hollow portion 30 for suction.
  • a protrusion 511 is disposed on the tongue 51 .
  • the protrusion 511 is provided to strengthen the connection between the tongue 51 and groove 52 .
  • the protrusion 511 in one embodiment extends axially along the straw body 10 and cooperates with the groove 52 .
  • the protrusion 511 may be disposed on the outer side of the tongue 51 , facing radially 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.
  • the bending portion 23 is designed with a smaller wall thickness (thinner) compared with the first sidewall 21 and second sidewall 22 .
  • the thinner bending portion 23 makes the axial 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.
  • the tongue 51 a is modified to include two protrusions.
  • the protrusion 511 a and protrusion 512 of this embodiment extend axially along the straw body 10 and fit into the groove 52 a.
  • the protrusion 511 a is radially facing outward while protrusion 512 is radially facing inward.
  • both protrusions 511 a, 512 are fitted into the groove 52 a 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.
  • the diameter and length dimensions of straw body 10 may be varied for different usage.
  • the straw body 10 may have an approximate length of 220 mm, an outer diameter of 9 mm so as to provide a desired flow rate and leak proof effect.
  • the length of the straw body ranges from 50 mm to 300 mm and the diameter of the straw body ranges from 5 mm to 40 mm.
  • the straw body 10 may further be manufactured in different shapes.
  • the cross section of a closed straw body 10 is a circle, thereby, forming a substantially cylindrical drinking straw.
  • the straw body 10 is manufactured in other shapes, such that its cross sectional shape is a triangle, square, hexagon, oval, rectangular, rhombus, trapezoid, pentagon, or octagon.
  • the resealable drinking straw I one embodiment is made of flexible material, for instance, silicone rubber. In another embodiment the drinking straw is made flexible food grade material. 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).
  • TPE Thermo Plastic Elastomer
  • TPR Thermo Plastic Rubber
  • the resealable drinking straw disclosed herein has the following beneficial effects:
  • the disclosed resealable drinking straw allows a user to clean the interior of the drinking straw. Thus, cleanliness and hygiene can be guaranteed. It encourages the diner to reuse the drinking straw, and thereby reduce pollution due to the disposal of a one-time use drinking straw.

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  • Table Equipment (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
US16/290,617 2018-11-26 2019-03-01 Resealable Drinking Straw Abandoned US20200163477A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
HK18115105A HK1253655A2 (zh) 2018-11-26 2018-11-26 一種可開封口的飲管
HK18115105.0 2018-11-26

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20200163477A1 true US20200163477A1 (en) 2020-05-28

Family

ID=67990952

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US16/290,617 Abandoned US20200163477A1 (en) 2018-11-26 2019-03-01 Resealable Drinking Straw

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20200163477A1 (ja)
EP (1) EP3656256A1 (ja)
JP (2) JP3223766U (ja)
CN (1) CN209789413U (ja)
GB (1) GB2579263A (ja)
HK (1) HK1253655A2 (ja)
TW (1) TWM594408U (ja)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20200408234A1 (en) * 2018-10-30 2020-12-31 Trang Tran Connection Device
USD950999S1 (en) * 2019-09-30 2022-05-10 Chi Wing Don Wan Drinking straw
US11364177B2 (en) * 2016-08-03 2022-06-21 Thomas Busch Pressure equalizer for baby bottle and baby bottle assembly
US11542074B1 (en) * 2021-07-02 2023-01-03 Munchkin, Inc. Flip straw cup assembly

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021035514A1 (zh) * 2019-08-27 2021-03-04 徐嘉阳 吸管结构
WO2021159411A1 (zh) * 2020-02-13 2021-08-19 龙海有限公司 一种可拆卸的中空吸管

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102119826A (zh) * 2010-01-07 2011-07-13 方毅 多边形压叠式饮料吸管
KR20160146521A (ko) * 2015-06-12 2016-12-21 유주안 세척 가능 빨대
WO2016200172A1 (ko) * 2015-06-12 2016-12-15 유주안 세척 가능 빨대
KR101861432B1 (ko) * 2016-06-27 2018-05-25 인제대학교 산학협력단 조립 및 분해 가능한 빨대
CN206025932U (zh) * 2016-07-13 2017-03-22 彭攀巅 一种可重复使用的新型吸管
CN108703614A (zh) * 2018-06-18 2018-10-26 邱智清 一种具有环状体结合的环保吸管
TWM569192U (zh) * 2018-07-13 2018-11-01 陳夏林 Straw improved structure

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11364177B2 (en) * 2016-08-03 2022-06-21 Thomas Busch Pressure equalizer for baby bottle and baby bottle assembly
US20200408234A1 (en) * 2018-10-30 2020-12-31 Trang Tran Connection Device
US11708846B2 (en) * 2018-10-30 2023-07-25 Trang Tran Connection device
USD950999S1 (en) * 2019-09-30 2022-05-10 Chi Wing Don Wan Drinking straw
US11542074B1 (en) * 2021-07-02 2023-01-03 Munchkin, Inc. Flip straw cup assembly
US20230150733A1 (en) * 2021-07-02 2023-05-18 Munchkin, Inc. Flip straw cup assembly
US11787606B2 (en) * 2021-07-02 2023-10-17 Munchkin, Inc. Flip straw cup assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3656256A1 (en) 2020-05-27
JP3223766U (ja) 2019-10-31
CN209789413U (zh) 2019-12-17
GB2579263A (en) 2020-06-17
TWM594408U (zh) 2020-05-01
HK1253655A2 (zh) 2019-06-21
GB201911525D0 (en) 2019-09-25
JP3223809U (ja) 2019-10-31

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