REUSABLE STRAW ASSEMBLY

Abstract

An assembly and method for the use and cleaning of a reusable straw is provided. The assembly includes an inner and outer member which, when fitted together, form the straw. Each member has a tab at one end to inhibit the member from falling out of a dishwasher while the member is being washed. Each member includes a gap in its tubal shape. The gap runs along its longitudinal length. The gap allows for better access to its interior for cleaning and disinfecting. In operation, the inner member translates inside the outer member in preparation for use. The inner member translates out of the outer member in preparation for cleaning.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present application relates to a straw assembly, and more particularly to a straw assembly which can be washed and reused.

2. Description of Related Art

The desire in society to reuse items is growing. Drinking straws are typically used one time and then thrown away which takes up valuable space in municipal landfills. One straw may not be large, but it more than makes up for is small size by the volume of straws used. In America, about 500 million drinking straws are used every day; which equates to a volume of over 125 school buses every day.

Present reusable straws result in some disadvantages. The main disadvantage straws have for reuse is the shape. Straws are long and narrow tubes with small apertures at either end for liquid to be sucked through when the straw is in use. The straws shape is convenient for its desired use, but that same shape makes it hard to clean. Its long and narrow shape does not permit water and cleaning agents easy access to the straws interior when the straw is placed in a dishwasher. A failure to properly clean and disinfect a reusable straw between uses increases the chance that harmful pathogens will develop and be spread to future users. This danger has resulted in users cleaning reusable straws by hand using special brushes. While the straws get cleaned, the extra time needed to properly clean the straws, and the need to store the special brushes to clean the straws, discourages users from purchasing and reusing the straws.

Although strides have been made in cleaning reusable straws, considerable shortcomings remain. It is desirable to provide users a reusable straw that can be easily cleaned in the dishwasher. Such a reusable straw would allow dishwasher jets easy access to the interior length of the straw for quick and efficient cleaning and disinfecting while in the utensil rack of the dishwasher.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the application itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a disassembled side view of a reusable straw assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 2 is an assembled side view of the reusable straw assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an alternative side view of the reusable straw assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the reusable straw assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a section view of the reusable straw assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for the use of the reusable straw assembly of FIG. 1.

While the assembly and method of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the application to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the preferred embodiment are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the assembly are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the assembly, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the device described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.

The assembly and method in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with traditional reusable straws. In particular, the reusable straw of the present application is configured to separate into a plurality of parts which allows a straw to be better cleaned when placed in the dishwasher. These and other unique features of the assembly are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The assembly and method will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the assembly may be presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless otherwise described.

The assembly and method of the present application is illustrated in the associated drawings. The assembly includes an outer member and an inner member. The inner member and outer member have a gap along their lengths. The gap allows for better access of cleaning solutions to the interior of the reusable straw assembly. The inner member translates along the interior length of the outer member for use or for cleaning. Additional features and functions of the assembly are illustrated and discussed below.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements in form and function throughout the several views. FIG. 1 illustrates a disassembled side view of a reusable straw assembly 101. Assembly 101 is comprised of a plurality of members which are each the customary length of a straw and not limited by the proportionality found in the figures. In its current configuration, assembly 101 has an outer member 103 and an inner member 105. It is understood that assembly 101 will be composed of any commonly used material for reusable straws; such as: stainless steel, bamboo, or petroleum based material for example. The material will allow for repeated use and washings in a dishwasher or for washing by hand.

Referring also to FIG. 2 in the drawings, an assembled side view of the reusable straw assembly is illustrated. When assembled, assembly 101 is hollow tube which has a bottom end 107 and a top end 109. Bottom end 107 is comprised of a bottom end 107a of outer member 103 and a bottom end 107b of inner member 105. Additionally, top end 109 is comprised of a top end 109a of outer member 103 and a top end 109b of inner member 103.

Outer member 103 and inner member 105 are also hollow tubes in shape except for a gap. Outer member 103 has a gap 113a which runs from bottom end 107a to top end 109a. Inner member 105 also has a gap 113b which runs from bottom end 107b to top end 109b. Gap 113a and gap 113b allow a dishwasher's jetted water better access to the interiors of outer member 103 and inner member 105. The jetted water is able to remove contaminates and pathogens which could adversely affect the user when drinking through assembly 101.

Assembly 101 has a plurality of tabs 111 located adjacent to bottom end 107. In the current configuration, there is a tab 111a, which extends away from an exterior surface 115a, located at bottom end 107a. There is also a tab 111b, which extends away from an exterior surface 115b, located at bottom end 107b. It is understood that outer member 103 and inner member 105 could each have more than a single tab. The size of tab 111a is less than or equal to the available circumference of outer member 103. The size of tab 111b is less than or equal to the available circumference of inner member 105. The purpose of tabs 111 is to prevent outer member 103 and inner member 105 from exiting the utensil rack in a dishwasher while the dishwasher is running.

Referring now also to FIGS. 3-5 in the drawings, assorted views of assembly 101 are illustrated. FIG. 3 demonstrates the translation of inner member 105 along a longitudinal length 119 of outer member 103. While tab 111b is shown to be translating towards top end 109a, it is understood that tab 111a could also be translated towards top end 109b. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a bottom view and a section view of the top end of assembly 101 respectively, inner member 105 translates within outer member 103 such that exterior surface 115b is in communication with an interior surface 117a. It is understood that interior surface 117a and exterior surface 115a are in communication with each other through a releasable binding force, for example, an interference fit, friction fit, or a compression fit. It is also understood that assembly 101 may be repeatedly assembled and disassembled for use and for cleaning.

When assembly 101 is assembled, outer member 103 encompasses or surrounds a portion of inner member 105. Gap 113b is adjacent to interior surface 117a and opposite of gap 113a. Gap 113a and gap 113b comprise less than a half 121 of the tubal circumferences of outer member 103 and inner member 115 respectively.

Referring now also to FIG. 6, demonstrating the method for operation of the reusable straw assembly. The user obtains a reusable straw assembly with an outer member and an inner member, step 301. The user assembles the reusable straw assembly for use by translating the inner member inside the outer member relative to one another, step 303. It is understood that step 303 is not necessary if the reusable straw assembly is already assembled. For proper assembly, an inner member tab is located adjacent to an outer member tab, step 305. Also, an inner member gap is encompassed by the outer member such that the inner member gap is located generally opposite an outer member gap, step 307. After use of the reusable straw assembly, the user may dissemble the assembly by, again, translating the inner member along the inner surface of the outer member, step 309. Disassembling the reusable straw assembly prior to cleaning for better access for cleaning solutions to the interior of the assembly, through the member gaps.

The current application has many advantages over the prior art including at least the following: (1) a reusable straw which allows easy access to its interior length for quick and efficient cleaning and disinfecting; and (2) the reusable straw assembly will remain in the utensil rack of the dishwasher.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the application may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. It is apparent that an application with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims

1. A reusable straw assembly, comprising:

an outer member configured to be a hollow tube in shape with a gap which runs from a bottom end to a top end of the outer member; and

an inner member configured to be a hollow tube in shape with a gap which runs from a bottom end to a top end of the inner member, the inner member is configured to translate along an inner surface of the outer member.

2. The reusable straw assembly of claim 1, wherein the gap of the outer member is less than half of the tubular circumference of the outer member.

3. The reusable straw assembly of claim 1, wherein the gap of the inner member is less than half of the tubular circumference of the inner member.

4. The reusable straw assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner member translates along an inner surface of the outer member such that an exterior surface of the inner member and the inner surface of the outer member are in communication.

5. The reusable straw assembly of claim 4, wherein the inner member and outer member communicate with each other through a releasable interference fit.

6. The reusable straw assembly of claim 4, wherein the gap of the inner member is opposite the outer member's gap when assembly is assembled.

7. The reusable straw assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer member surrounds the inner member when the inner member is in communication with the outer member.

8. The reusable straw assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a first tab located at the bottom end of the inner member; and

a second tab located at the bottom end of the outer member;

wherein the first tab and the second tab are configured to extend out away from an outer surface of the inner member and an outer surface of the outer member respectively.

9. The reusable straw assembly of claim 8, wherein the outer member's tab is located adjacent to the inner member's tab when reusable straw assembly is assembled.

10. The reusable straw assembly of claim 8, wherein the inner member tab width is equal to or less than the width of the inner member.

11. The reusable straw assembly of claim 8, wherein the outer member tab width is equal to or less than the width of the outer member.

12. The reusable straw assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a tab configured to extend out away from at least one of an outer surface of the inner member and an outer surface of the outer member.

13. A method of using a reusable straw assembly, comprising:

obtaining the reusable straw assembly including: an outer member with a gap along its length and a tab at its bottom end; and an inner member with a gap along its length and a tab at its bottom end;

assembling the reusable straw assembly by translating the inner member along an inner surface of the outer member; and

dissembling the reusable straw assembly by translating the inner member along the inner surface of the outer member.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

locating the tabs of the inner member and outer member adjacent to each other.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

locating the gap of the inner member such that it is encompassed by the outer member.

16. A reusable straw assembly, comprising:

an outer member configured to be a hollow tube in shape with a gap configured to be less than half of the outer members total circumference which runs from a top end to a bottom end of the outer member, the outer member has at least a tab at the bottom end of an exterior surface, wherein the tabs width is a portion of the total circumference of the outer member; and

an inner member configured to be a hollow tube in shape with a gap configured to be less than half of the inner members total circumference which runs from a top end to a bottom end of the inner member, the inner member has at least a tab on an exterior surface at the bottom of the inner member, wherein the tabs width is a portion of the total circumference of the inner member, the inner member translates along an inner surface of the outer member to form the assembly, wherein an exterior surface of the inner surface is in communication with the interior surface of the outer member.