Resealable Drinking Straw

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a resealable drinking straw including a straw body which comprise 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; a hollow portion defined by the first sidewall, a second sidewall and the bending portion, extending along a axial length of the straw body; an opening defined by opposing edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, extending axially along the straw body; the opening is closed by mating the first sidewall and the second sidewall to allow fluid passage through the hollow portion. This design can solve the problem that the interior of prior known drinking straws are difficult to wash. The apparatus disclosed herein provides a leak proof effect for suction.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority benefit of Hong Patent Application No. 18115105.0 filed Nov. 26, 2018, incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

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.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

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.

Accordingly, there is a need for a drinking straw that can be reused and washed easily, and wherein the cleanliness can be ensured before use.

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.

Further, the straw body in one embodiment comprises a male and female connection, the male and female connection is respectively disposed along the opposing edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the opening is closed by connecting the male and female connection.

In one of the embodiments, the male connection includes a tongue extending circumferentially, the female connection is a groove with circumferential depth which is configured to receive the tongue.

In another embodiment, the tongue comprises a protrusion facing radially outward and extending axially along the straw body.

In a further embodiment, cross sectional shape of the protrusion is a trapezoid.

In a further embodiment, thickness of the bending portion is smaller than that of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

Further, the straw body is made of flexible plastic material. In yet another embodiment, the straw body is made of silicone material.

In another embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the straw body is a triangle, square, hexagon, oval, rectangular, rhombus, trapezoid, pentagon, or octagon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to make the technical solutions in the embodiments of the disclosed apparatus clearer, the accompanying drawings to be used in the embodiments and the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below, it is apparent that the drawings in the following description are merely some embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and that other drawings may be obtained by those skilled in the field without departing from the inventive nature of the disclosed apparatus.

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. 4 is an end view of one embodiment 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.

It is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to the embodiments of these drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

In order to make the technical problems to be solved, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of the present disclosure clearer and more understandable, the present disclosure will be further described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are only intended to illustrate but not to limit the present disclosure.

It is noted that when a component is referred to as being “fixed to” or “disposed on” another component, it can be fixed or disposed directly or indirectly on another component. When a component is referred to as being “connected to” another component, it can be directly or indirectly connected to another component.

In addition, the terms “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. In the description of the present disclosure, “multiple” means two or more than two, unless otherwise specifically defined.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in an embodiment of the present disclosure provides 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.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, 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. Particularly, 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.

Furthermore, 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. In one embodiment, the opening 31 extends along the axial length of the straw body 10. When the straw body 10 is opened for washing, the opening 31 is the entrance to the interior of the straw body 10. To close the opening 31, a connection 5 comprising in one example first surface 5a and second surface 5b is disposed on the first sidewall 21 and the second sidewall 22 respectively. As the first sidewall 21 and the second sidewall 22 are connected by the bending portion 23, connection 5 further connects the sidewalls 21, 22 to form a closed cross sectional area/space, which is the hollow portion 30. On the other hand, 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. In this regard, the connection 5 plays an important role in providing a leak-proof straw body 10.

In some embodiments for example as shown in FIG. 3, the connection 5c 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. In order to achieve a stronger connection, the male and the female connector in one embodiment extend along the axial length of the first sidewall 21 and the second sidewall 22.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, in the embodiment of the present application, comprises 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.

In one embodiment, the 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. As the groove 52 is provided with substantially the same shape and size of the tongue 51, 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.

In yet another embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, 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. In order to achieve a better locking function, 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.

In some of the embodiments, 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.

Referring to FIG. 6, providing another embodiment of the disclosed apparatus, the tongue 51a is modified to include two protrusions. The protrusion 511a and protrusion 512 of this embodiment extend axially along the straw body 10 and fit into the groove 52a. In this embodiment, the protrusion 511a is radially facing outward while protrusion 512 is radially facing inward. When the tongue 51a is inserted into the groove 52b, both protrusions 511a, 512 are fitted into the groove 52a 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.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the diameter and length dimensions of straw body 10 may be varied for different usage. As an example, and without limitation intended, 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. In one embodiment, 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. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the cross section of a closed straw body 10 is a circle, thereby, forming a substantially cylindrical drinking straw. In yet another embodiment, 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.

In one embodiment 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).

Compared to the prior art, 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.

The aforementioned embodiments are only preferred embodiments of the present disclosed apparatus and are not intended to limit the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, and so on, which are made within the spirit and the principle of the present application, should be comprised in the scope of the present application.

While the present invention is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants' general concept. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A resealable drinking straw, comprising:

a straw body comprising a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a bending portion, wherein the first sidewall is connected with the second sidewall by the bending portion to form a tubular shape;

a hollow portion, defined by the first sidewall, a second sidewall and the bending portion, extending along an axial length of the straw body;

an opening, defined by opposing edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, extending axially along the straw body; and

wherein the opening is closed by mating the first sidewall and the second sidewall to allow fluid passage through the hollow portion.

2. The resealable drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the straw body further comprising a male and female connection, wherein the male and female connection are respectively disposed along the opposing edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the opening is closed by connecting the male and female connection.

3. The resealable drinking straw of claim 2, wherein the male connection is a tongue extends circumferentially; the female connection is a groove with circumferential depth which is capable to receive the tongue.

4. The resealable drinking straw of claim 3, wherein the tongue comprises a protrusion facing radially outward and extending axially along the straw body.

5. The resealable drinking straw of claim 4, wherein cross-sectional shape of the protrusion is a trapezoid.

6. The resealable drinking straw of claim 1, wherein thickness of the bending portion is smaller than that of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

7. The resealable drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the straw body is made of flexible plastic.

8. The resealable drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the straw body is made of silicone.

9. The resealable drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the straw body is selected from the list consisting of triangle, square, hexagon, oval, rectangular, rhombus, trapezoid, pentagon, and octagon.

10. A reusable drinking straw, comprising:

a unitary body straw body comprising: a first sidewall; a bending portion extending from the first sidewall; a second sidewall;

a hollow portion, defined by the first sidewall, a second sidewall and the bending portion, extending along an axial length of the straw body;

an opening, defined by opposing edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, extending axially along the straw body; and

wherein the opening is selectively closed by mating the first sidewall and the second sidewall to form a tubular portion and allow fluid passage through the hollow portion.

11. The reusable drinking straw of claim 10, wherein the straw body further comprising a male connection on the edge of the first sidewall, a female connection on the edge of the second sidewall, wherein the opening is selectively closed by connecting the male connection with the female connection.

12. The reusable drinking straw of claim 11, wherein:

the male connection is a tongue extending circumferentially;

the female connection is a groove with circumferential depth configured to receive the tongue.

13. The reusable drinking straw of claim 12, wherein the tongue comprises a protrusion extending radially and extending axially along the straw body.

14. The reusable drinking straw of claim 13, wherein cross-sectional shape of the protrusion is a trapezoid.

15. The reusable drinking straw of claim 10, wherein the wall thickness of the bending portion is less than the wall thickness of the first sidewall and less than the wall thickness of the second sidewall.

16. The reusable drinking straw of claim 10, wherein the straw body comprises flexible plastic.

17. The reusable drinking straw of claim 10, wherein the straw body comprises silicone.