WO2020044369A1

WO2020044369A1 - Bio-degradable means with midrib for use as drinking straw, stirrer and chopstick and method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2020044369A1
Application number: PCT/IN2019/050620
Authority: WO
Inventors: Saji Varghese
Original assignee: Evlogia Eco Care Private Limited
Priority date: 2018-08-29
Filing date: 2019-08-27
Publication date: 2020-03-05
Also published as: IN201841032437A

Abstract

Bio-degradable means (100) with midrib (104) for use as drinking straw, stirrer, and chopstick and method thereof is provided. The bio-degradable means (100) includes, at least one dried leaf section (102) having a midrib (104) and a leaf portion (106) extending on both sides of said midrib (104), each of said leaf portion (106) having an outer edge portion (108) defined away from said midrib (104). The outer edge portion (108) of said dried leaf section (102) is joined together by rolling the dried leaf section (102) along an elongated guide member R to facilitate formation of an elongated tubular bio-degradable means (100). A bonding agent is applied at least at one edge portion (108) of each dried leaf section (102) with respect to a length wise direction of the dried leaf section (102) to maintain the elongated tubular bio-degradable means (100) in rolled position.

Description

BIO DEGRADABLE MEANS WITH MIDRIB FOR USE AS DRINKING STRAW, STIRRER AND CHOPSTICK AND METHOD THEREOF

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Application 201841032437, filed on 29^th August, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The embodiments herein relate to a bio-degradable means for use as at least one of a drinking straw, a straw for tetra pack, a stirrer and a chop stick, and a method of making the bio-degradable means.

BACKGROUND

[002] Drinking straws are widely available and are extensively utilized to consume beverages. Generally, drinking straws comprise an elongate cylindrical sleeve defining an opening therein through which a liquid beverage can be channeled to a consumer's mouth and imbibed. Essentially, one end of the straw is submerged within the beverage to be consumed, the latter of which is drawn upwardly there through via a vacuum force created by the user's mouth on the other opposed end of the straw.

[003] The majority of drinking straws currently in use are manufactured from plastic. In this respect, most straws are manufactured through an extrusion process whereby straws are formed to have a desired length, cut, and thereafter packaged. Because such straws are made from plastic, there are a number of significant problems. For instance, by virtue of being formed from plastic, the straws are not biodegradable. Since such plastic straws are typically disposed of following use, it is a substantial source of pollution. Such feature is particularly problematic given the fact that straws are utilized only for short duration (i.e., the consumption of one beverage) and are ill-suited for reuse. Though the manufacturing of plastic straws incurs less cost, plastic straws account for a significant amount of un-recycled plastic waste, and contribute to plastic pollution in the ocean. [004] Further, some of the drinking straws are made of paper. Though paper straws are bio-degradable, the manufacturing of paper straws incurs high cost. Further, a coffee stirrer is an elongated metallic rod that is used to stir the coffee in a mug or any other vessel. Though the metallic coffee stirrer is durable, the manufacturing of metallic coffee stirrer incurs high cost. Furthermore, chop stick are a pair of equal length sticks that are used as kitchen and eating means. Mostly chop sticks are made of bamboo and wood. Though bamboo and wood chop sticks are bio-degradable, relatively inexpensive, low in temperature conduction and provide good grip for holding food, the bamboo and wood chop sticks can warp and deteriorate with continued use.

[005] Therefore, there exists a need for a bio-degradable means for use as at least one of a drinking straw, a straw for tetra pack, a stirrer and a chop stick, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks. Further, there exists a need for a method of making a bio degradable means, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS

[006] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a bio degradable means for use as at least one of a drinking straw, a straw for tetra pack, a stirrer and a chop stick.

[007] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a method of making a bio-degradable means being used as at least one of a drinking straw, a straw for tetra pack, a stirrer and a chop stick.

[008] Yet, another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a bio degradable means for use as at least one of a drinking straw, a straw for tetra pack, a stirrer and a chop stick, where the making of the bio -degradable means incurs less cost.

[009] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a dried leaf which is used for making a bio-degradable means being used as at least one of a drinking straw, a straw for tetra pack, a stirrer and a chop stick, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;

[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a front view of a dried leaf section which is cut from the dried leaflet, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;

[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a front view of the dried leaf section being straight rolled along an entirety of the elongated guide member to facilitate formation of the straight rolled bio degradable means, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;

[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the straight rolled bio-degradable means, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;

[0015] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the straight rolled bio -degradable means having a cut at a predetermined angle such that a midrib includes a protruding portion, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and

[0016] FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart showing the steps of a method of making a bio- degradable means, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0018] The embodiments herein achieve a bio-degradable means for use as at least one of a drinking straw, a straw for tetra pack, a stirrer and a chop stick and a method of making the bio-degradable means. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 6, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a dried leaf which is used for making a bio-degradable means, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. FIG. 2 depicts a front view of a dried leaf section which is cut from the dried leaf, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the bio-degradable means 100 includes at least one dried leaf, at least one dried leaf section 102, a midrib 104, a leaf portion 106 extending on both sides of the midrib 104, an outer edge portion 108 and at least one protruding portion 110.

[0020] The bio-degradable means 100 (as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5) includes at least one dried leaf section 102 adapted to be rolled along an elongated guide member R to form an elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100. The elongated guide member R is at least an elongated rod. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the elongated guide member R in form an elongated tube. The dried leaf section 102 is configured to be rolled along an entirety of the elongated guide member R to facilitate formation of the elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100 (as shown in FIG. 4). The dried leaf section 102 is configured to be straight rolled along an entirety of the elongated guide member R to form the straight rolled elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100 (as shown in FIG. 4). The dried leaf section 102 includes the midrib 104 and the leaf portion 106 extending on both sides of the midrib 104. The leaf portion 106 includes an outer edge portion 108 defined away from the midrib 104 as shown in FIG. 3. The outer edge portion 108 of the dried leaf section 102 is joined together to form the elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100.

[0021] Further, the elongated tubular bio -degradable means 100 includes a first end lOOa and a second end lOOb which is cut in at least one of a radial manner and an angular manner. For example, the first end lOOa of the bio-degradable means 100 may be cut radially (i.e. straight) while the second end lOOb may be cut at a predetermined angle. The elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100 may be cut at a predetermined angle at the second end lOOb such that the midrib 104 includes the protruding portion 110 enabling the bio degradable means 100 to pierce a seal of a tetra pack.

[0022] The dried leaf section 102 is at least a steamed or boiled dried leaf strip. The bio-degradable means 100 is at least a bio-degradable drinking straw. The dried leaf is selected from at least one of a coconut tree leaf, a palm tree leaf and a plantain leaf. It is also within the scope of the invention to consider the dried leaf as any other tree leaf or any other plant leaf. In another embodiment, the bio-degradable means 100 is at least one of a bio degradable straw for a tetra pack, a bio-degradable stirrer and a bio-degradable chop stick.

[0023] The formation of dried leaf section 102 is as follows. At least one dried leaf is cleaned in running water to remove dust and foreign particles. Thereafter, the dried leaf is exposed to a steaming process (i.e. the dried leaf is boiled) to sterilize and simultaneously add flexibility to the dried leaf to facilitate rolling of the dried leaf. Further, the dried leaf when subjected to steam generates wax contained within the dried leaf to form a flexible dried leaf. Thereafter, each flexible dried leaf is cut into a dried leaf section 102 having predetermined dimensions. The dried leaf section 102 is buffed to bring the shine out of the dried leaf section 102.

[0024] A bonding agent is applied at least at one edge portion of each dried leaf section 102 with respect to a length wise direction of the dried leaf section 102 to maintain the elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100 in rolled position. Thereafter, the outer edge portions 108 are joined to form an elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100. The bonding agent is dried out in elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100. The bonding agent is at least a food grade water resistant adhesive. In one embodiment, the bonding agent is bio- degradable. In an alternate embodiment, the bonding agent may be non-bio-degradable. Thereafter, the edges of the elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100 is cut to facilitate uniform finishing of the elongated bio-degradable means 100. Laser engraving logo is made on each elongated bio -degradable means 100. The plurality of elongated bio-degradable means 100 is packaged in at least one box.

[0025] FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart showing the steps of a method of making a bio degradable means, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the method 200 for making the bio degradable means 100 is explained herein below with reference to a bio-degradable drinking straw. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to practice/implement the entire steps of the method 200 or with omission of at least one step of the method 200 or with any addition of at least one step to the method 200 for making a bio -degradable drinking straw or a bio-degradable straw for tetra pack or a bio-degradable stirrer or a bio-degradable chop stick. In an embodiment, the method 200 of making the bio -degradable means 100 is as follows. The method 200 includes, cleaning at least one dried leaf in water to remove dust and foreign particles (step 202), exposing said dried leaf to at least one of steaming and boiling to form a flexible dried leaf (step 204), cutting each flexible dried leaf into a dried leaf section 102 of predetermined dimension (step 206), applying bonding agent at least at one edge portion 108 of each dried leaf section 102 with respect to a length wise direction of the dried leaf section 102 (step 208), joining said outer edge portion 106 of said dried leaf section 102 by rolling the dried leaf section 102 along corresponding elongated guide member R to form an elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100 (step 210), drying out the bonding agent in said elongated tubular bio -degradable means 100 (step 212), cutting said elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100 in at least one of a radial direction and an angular direction at least at one of a first end lOOa and a second end lOOb such that the midrib 104 includes at least one protruding portion 110 adapted to pierce a seal of a tetra pack (step 214).

[0026] In an alternate embodiment, the method may further include buffing each dried leaf section 102 to bring the shine out of the dried leaf section 102. Further, the method may include cutting the edges of the elongated bio-degradable means 100 to facilitate uniform finishing of the elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100. Furthermore, the method may include engraving a logo on each elongated bio-degradable means 100 through a laser engraving machine. The method may further include packaging a plurality of elongated bio degradable means 100 in at least one box. The dried leaf is selected from at least one of a coconut tree leaf, a palm tree leaf and a plantain leaf. It is also within the scope of the invention to consider the dried leaf as any other tree leaf or any other plant leaf. In one embodiment, the elongated bio-degradable means 100 is at least bio-degradable drinking straw. In another embodiment, the elongated bio -degradable means 100 is at least one of a bio-degradable straw for tetra pack, a bio-degradable stirrer and a bio -degradable chop stick.

[0027] Therefore, a bio-degradable means 100 for use as at least one of a bio degradable drinking straw, a bio-degradable drinking straw for tetra pack, a bio-degradable stirrer and a bio-degradable chop stick and a method 200 for making the bio -degradable means 100 is provided

[0028] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Claims

STATEMENT OF CLAIMS We claim:

1. A bio-degradable means 100 comprising: at least one dried leaf section 102 having a midrib 104 and a leaf portion 106 extending on both sides of said midrib 104, each of said leaf portion 106 having an outer edge portion 108 defined away from said midrib 104, wherein, said outer edge portion 108 of said dried leaf section 102 is joined together to form an elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100.

2. The bio-degradable means 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongated tubular bio degradable means 100 includes a first end lOOa and a second end lOOb which is cut in at least one of a radial direction and an angular direction.

3. The bio-degradable means 100 as claimed in claim 2, wherein said elongated tubular bio degradable means 100 is cut at a predetermined angle at said at least one of said first end lOOa and said second end lOOb such that said midrib 104 includes a protruding portion 110 adapted to pierce a seal of a tetra pack.

4. The bio-degradable means 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dried leaf section 102 is configured to be joined at said outer edge portion 108 by rolling the dried leaf section 102 along an entirety of an elongated guide member R to facilitate formation of said elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100.

5. The bio-degradable means 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dried leaf section 102 is configured to be straight rolled along an entirety of the elongated guide member R to form the straight rolled elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100.

6. The bio-degradable means 100 as claimed in claim 5, wherein a bonding agent is applied on at least one of outer edge portion 108 with respect to a length wise direction of said dried leaf section 102 to retain said elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100 in a rolled position.

7. The bio-degradable means 100 as claimed in claim 5, wherein said dried leaf section 102 is at least a coconut tree leaf.

8. The bio-degradable means 100 as claimed in claim 5, wherein the dried leaf section 102 is at least one of a palm tree leaf and a plantain leaf.

9. The bio-degradable means 100 as claimed in claim 1 is at least one of a bio-degradable drinking straw and a bio-degradable tetra pack straw.

10. The bio-degradable means 100 as claimed in claim 1 is at least one of a bio-degradable stirrer and a bio-degradable chop stick.

11. A method 200 of making a bio-degradable means 100, said method 200 comprising: providing at least one dried leaf section 102, said dried leaf section 102 having a midrib 104 and a leaf portion 106 extending on both sides of said midrib 104, each of said leaf portion 106 having an outer edge portion 108 defined away from said midrib 104; and joining said outer edge portion 108 of said dried leaf section 102 to form an elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100.

12. The method 200 as claimed in claim 11 comprising, cleaning at least one dried leaf in water to remove dust and foreign particles; exposing said dried leaf to at least one of steaming and boiling to form a flexible dried leaf section 102; cutting each flexible dried leaf into at least one dried leaf section 102 of predetermined dimension; applying a bonding agent at least at one outer edge portion 108 of said dried leaf section 102 with respect to a length wise direction of said dried leaf section 102; and joining said outer edge portion 106 of said dried leaf section 102 by rolling said dried leaf section 102 along an elongated guide member R to facilitate formation of an elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100.

13. The method 200 as claimed in claim 12 comprising buffing said dried leaf section 102 to bring shine out of said dried leaf section 102.

14. The method 200 as claimed in claim 12 comprising drying out said bonding agent in elongated tubular bio -degradable means 100 after said joining said outer edge portion 106 of said dried leaf section 102 by rolling said dried leaf section 102 along an elongated guide member R to facilitate formation of an elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100.

15. The method 200 as claimed in claim 12 further comprising cutting said elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100 in at least one of a radial direction and an angular direction adjacent to at least one of a first end lOOa and a second end lOOb.

16. The method 200 as claimed in claim 15, wherein said elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100 is cut at a predetermined angle at said at least one of said first end lOOa and said second end lOOb such that said midrib 104 includes a protruding portion 110 adapted to pierce a seal of a tetra pack.

17. The method 200 as claimed in claim 11, wherein said at least one dried leaf section 102 is at least a coconut tree leaf.

18. The method 200 as claimed in claim 11, wherein said at least one dried leaf section 102 is at least one of a palm tree leaf and a plantain leaf.

19. The method 200 as claimed in claim 11, wherein said elongated tubular bio-degradable means 100 is at least one of a bio-degradable drinking straw, a bio-degradable tetra pack straw, a bio-degradable stirrer and a bio -degradable chop stick.