STRAW APPARATUS

Abstract

A straw apparatus comprising separable straw sections, wherein the separable straw sections comprise a closure mechanism or structure and are identical; the closure mechanism or structure may comprise a female-type closure profile and a male-type closure profile.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional patent application of and claims the benefit of the filing dates of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/865,043, filed on Jun. 21, 2019.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a straw apparatus, in particular, to a straw apparatus comprising identical half-straw sections.

BACKGROUND

As used herein, a “straw” is a hollow conduit that is longer in length than it is across a top of the conduit. Straws are often used to consume liquids. Historically, straws have been made from plant stems, paper, plastic, glass, and metal.

Human consumers (collectively referred to herein as, “consumers”) of liquid or fluid (collectively referred to herein as, “beverage”) sometimes use a straw to consumer a beverage. The reasons for this may range from aesthetic, such as a straw used by a partygoer to consume a cocktail, to practical, such as a straw used by a person in a reclined or semi-reclined position, such as a laying person, to consume a beverage from a cup or glass.

However, plastic straws are seldom reused. Typically, plastic straws are used once, then discarded.

Alternatives to disposable plastic straws including, for example, disposable paper straws, disposable straws made out of a “compostable” or “biodegradable” material, straws made out of a “recyclable” material (though many “biodegradable” and “recyclable” materials have shortcomings), and reusable straws made out of a material which may be washed. Examples of materials use to make reusable straws include stainless steel, glass, bamboo, and wood straws, all of which are generally rigid. Many reusable straws are sold with brushes that are intended to be used to brush the interior of the straw during a cleaning process. Such brushes highlight that merely washing a reusable straw in a dish washing machine may not clean the interior of the straw, but that it may be necessary or desirable to clean the interior of the straw with a brush. Cleaning a straw with a brush requires time and work and the brush should also be cleaned and stored.

Alternatives to disposable straws also include a straw apparatus which comprise two non-identical sections, in other words, a first non-identical section, section A, which is different from a second non-identical section, section B. However, because they are different, section A and section B must be kept and used together. In other words, two section A's may not be joined to form a straw apparatus; section A must be joined to a section B to form a straw apparatus. Consequently the two non-identical sections must be kept together in order to form straws, in order to reduce effort expended in matching the two sections during the straw assembly process, and to reduce waste which may occur when two matching sections are not found together during the straw assembly process (“mis-match waste”).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective projection of a straw apparatus incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective projection of a separable straw section, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a parallel projection of a plan view of an end of a separable straw section, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is the parallel projection of the plan view of the end of the separable straw section of FIG. 3 with additional elements identified, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a parallel projection of a plan view of a straw apparatus, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is the parallel projection of the plan view of the end of the separable straw section of FIG. 3 with additional elements identified, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is the parallel projection of the plan view of the end of the separable straw section of FIG. 3 with additional elements identified, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is the parallel projection of the plan view of the end of the separable straw section of FIG. 3 with additional elements identified, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a parallel projection of a front elevation view of a separable straw section, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a parallel projection of a right elevation view of one-half of the separable straw of FIG. 9, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a parallel projection of a left elevation view of one-half of the separable straw of FIG. 9, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a parallel projection of a back elevation view of one-half of the separable straw of FIG. 9, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a perspective projection of a top isomorphic view of one-half of the separable straw of FIG. 9 with shading, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

Although the following Detailed Description will proceed with reference being made to illustrative embodiments, many alternatives, modifications, and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Following are defined terms in this document.

As used herein, the term “parallel projection” refers to projection of an object in three-dimensional space onto a fixed two-dimensional plane, known as a projection plane or image plane, where rays, known as lines of sight or projection lines, are parallel to each other.

As used herein, the term “perspective projection” refers to projection of an object in three-dimensional space onto a fixed two-dimensional plane, known as a projection plane or image plane, where rays, lines of sight, or projection lines, converge toward a “vanishing point”.

As used herein, the term, “isomorphic projection” refers to a projection, in which three coordinate axes of three-dimensional space appear in the image plane to be equally foreshortened and the angle between any two of them is 120 degrees.

As used herein, “occlude” means to stop, close up, or obstruct an opening, orifice, channel, or passage.

As used herein, “distal” describes an element which is further from a center or central axis of an assembled straw apparatus.

As used herein, “proximal” describes an element which is closer to a center or central axis of an assembled straw apparatus.

Singular references herein to one element in the drawings or to any object or noun shall be understood to refer to one or more unless the context makes clear otherwise. When an element in the drawings is followed by a letter, as in, “105A” and “105B”, the two elements are meant to be physically identical, though their configuration or arrangement may be different.

As used herein, a “trapezoid” is a quadrilateral with one pair of parallel sides.

As used herein, an “isosceles trapezoid” is a trapezoid in which two base angles and two side lengths are equal and in which two end lengths are not equal.

When lengths or other dimensions are discussed herein, all such lengths or other dimensions shall be understood to be nominal values, within expected or normal manufacturing ranges.

In overview, this disclosure relates to a straw apparatus. The straw apparatus may be separated into two sections; each such section is referred to herein as a “separable straw section”. The separable straw sections may be washed, such as when they are separated. The separate straw sections are identical.

A first separable straw section may be joined to a second separable straw section by a closure mechanism. The closure mechanism may be integrated into the separable straw section. The closure mechanism may comprise interlocking members. The interlocking members may have cross-section closure profiles comprising a female-type closure profile and a male-type closure profile.

The female-type closure profile may also be referred to as a clasp; the female-type closure profile may be described herein as comprising a female interlocking member or clasp cavity and a female seal face, wherein the female seal face comprises a distal female seal face and a proximal female seal face, wherein the female seal faces are separated by the female interlocking member or clasp cavity.

The male-type closure profile may be described herein as comprising a male interlocking member or protuberance, and a male seal face, wherein the male seal face comprises a distal male seal face and a proximal male seal face, wherein the male seal faces are separated by the male interlocking member.

The female and male seal faces may, though do not have to, lie on a common plane; the female and male seal faces on a separable straw section may be separated by a passage. The passage between the female and male seal faces on the separable straw section may be “U” shaped or another shape which, when sealed to a mirror image of itself in the straw apparatus assembly process, forms a central channel through which fluid may be drawn. A round channel may have hydrodynamic properties which make it beneficial for a straw apparatus, though a round channel is not necessary.

The male interlocking member or protuberance may fit within and occlude the female interlocking member or clasp cavity. The female interlocking member or clasp cavity may be larger than the male interlocking member or protuberance. The separable straw sections may be formed of a flexible material, such as silicone with a Shore hardness, such as between 60 and 70 for silicone. Other flexible materials may be used, such as urethane, rubber, or the like. The material and Shore hardness thereof may be selected such that the male interlocking member may be repeatedly inserted within or removed from the female interlocking member, without breaking or tearing of either of the interlocking members and such that the deformations which may occur during the insertion process may relax without ejecting the male interlocking member from the female interlocking member and without distorting the seal faces.

When viewed from above, down a y-axis, a first separable straw section may be rotated one-hundred and eighty degrees around the y-axis relative to a second separable straw section, such that the female interlocking member of the first separable straw section aligns with the male interlocking member of the second separable straw section. When aligned, during a straw assembly process, the first and second separable straw sections may be squeezed or pinched together, such as by human fingers, such that the male interlocking member of one separable straw section occludes the female interlocking member of the other.

When the closure mechanism of two separable straw sections is locked or secured, the female seal faces of one separate straw section are held against the corresponding male seal faces of the other separable straw section, sealing the passages of the two separable straw sections together, forming a channel within the assembled straw apparatus and a seam between the separable straw sections. The seal created by the closure mechanism of the separable straw sections may allow a human to draw a low pressure area at one end of an assembled straw apparatus, drawing a fluid or liquid into and up the channel of the assembled straw section. Leakage of air along the length of seams of the closure mechanism may occur, though may be tolerable or desirable by users and may nonetheless allow a fluid to be drawn up the channel into a mouth of the user.

Unlike prior art in which separable straw sections of a straw apparatus are different from one another, the separable straw sections disclosed herein may be identical, which allows assembly of a straw apparatus from such separable straw sections without regard to whether the separable straw sections are compatible with one another. Use of identical separable straw sections also allows two differently colored and or patterned separable straw sections to be used together and interchangeably in straw apparatuses, providing aesthetic or information transmission functions to the disclosed straw apparatus.

In this way, a straw apparatus comprised of a first separable straw section and a second separable straw section may be separated into separate separable straw sections, the separable straw sections may be washed or otherwise handled separately, the separated separable straw sections may be closed via a closure mechanism which is easy to use, and wherein the separable sections are identical and may be used without regard to whether the separable straw sections are compatible with one another.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective projection of a straw apparatus 100 incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments. Straw apparatus 100 comprises a first separable straw section 105A and a second separable straw section 105B. The first and second separable straw sections 105 are identical. When viewed from above down the y-axis, one of the first and second separate straw sections 105 may be rotated, one relative to the other, by one-hundred and eighty degrees around the y-axis. The first and second separable straw sections 105 may be joined by a closure mechanism 126. When joined, as in FIG. 1, straw apparatus 100 comprises channel 120. Channel 120 may be a width or diameter of a standard straw; for example, channel 120 may have a diameter of 3 to 15 mm. Separable straw section 105A comprises channel face 110A and external face 115A; separable straw section 105B comprises channel face 110B and external face 115B. Straw apparatus 100 further comprises seam 117, where separable straw sections 105A and 105B contact one another and form a seal.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective projection of separable straw section 105, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments. Separable straw section 105 comprises female interlocking member 130 and male interlocking member 135; together, the interlocking members form the closure mechanism. Separable straw section 105 may have separable straw section length 125. For example, separable straw length 125 may be approximately 100 mm to 260 mm; however, separable straw section length may be much longer, for example, on the order of 1300 mm, for example, when straw apparatus 100 is used to draw liquid from a water bladder. It is very difficult to clean a conventional tube which may span between a water bladder and a consumer.

FIG. 3 is a parallel projection of a plan view of an end of a separable straw section 105, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments. In the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, separable straw section 105 is illustrated as comprising female-type closure profile 160 and male-type closure profile 150. Between ends of the closure profiles, separable straw section 105 comprises an example of passage 199. Passage 199 may have another shape, such as a half-oval or another shape.

Within female-type closure profile 160, separable straw section 105 comprises female interlocking member distal seal face 170 and female interlocking member proximal seal face 175, which, together, may be referred to herein as, “female seal faces”. Also within female-type closure profile 160, separable straw section 105 comprises female interlocking member internal terminus 180. Spanning between female interlocking member internal terminus 180 and the female seal faces 170 and 175 are illustrated examples of female interlocking member internal distal wall 185 and female interlocking member internal proximal wall 190. As illustrated in this example, an approximate isosceles trapezoid is formed between female interlocking member internal distal wall 185, female interlocking member internal proximal wall 190, female interlocking member internal terminus 180, and an imaginary line (not illustrated) between ends of female seal faces 170 and 175; however, it is not necessary that these structures form an isosceles trapezoid. Another shape, for example, one comprising a cavity that may be occluded by a male-type member and which may apply a clamping force on such male-type member may be used.

Within male-type closure profile 150, separable straw section 105 comprises male interlocking member distal seal face 203 and male interlocking member proximal seal face 201, which, together, may be referred to herein as, “male seal faces”. Also within male-type closure profile 150, separable straw section 105 comprises male interlocking member terminus 195. Spanning between male interlocking member terminus 195 and the male seal faces 201 and 203 are illustrated examples of male interlocking member distal wall 205 and male interlocking member proximal wall 200. As illustrated in this example, an approximate isosceles trapezoid is formed between male interlocking member distal wall 205, male interlocking member proximal wall 200, male interlocking member terminus 195, and an imaginary line (not illustrated) between ends of male seal faces 201 and 203; however, it is not necessary that these structures form an isosceles trapezoid. Another shape comprising a protuberance that may occlude a female-type member, and which may be subject to a clamping force from a female-type member may be used.

FIG. 4 is the parallel projection of the plan view of the end of separable straw section 105 of FIG. 3 with additional elements identified, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments. A reader may switch between FIGS. 3 and 4, viewing one full page at a time, to see commonalities between these Figures. In FIG. 4, male interlocking member terminus 195, which may also be referred to herein as, “protuberance maximum span”, is illustrated as having length 196 while an imaginary line (not illustrated) between male seal faces 201 and 203, which may also be referred to herein as, “protuberance minimum span”, is illustrated as having length 197. In FIG. 4, female interlocking member internal terminus 180, which may also be referred to herein as, “clasp maximum span”, is illustrated as having length 181 while an imaginary line (not illustrated) between female seal faces 170 and 175, which may also be referred to herein as, “clasp minimum span”, is illustrated as having length 182. Length 197 of protuberance minimum span may be selected, according to, for example, a material of separable straw section 105, such as silicone, and a Shore hardness of such material, such as between 60 and 70, to provide a strength of male interlocking member such that male interlocking member may be repeatedly inserted into and withdrawn from female interlocking member, resisting clamping force from female interlocking member, without tearing or separating from separable straw section 105. In the example illustrated FIG. 4, length 197 may be on the order of, for example, 1 mm.

FIG. 5 is a parallel projection of a plan view of a separable straw 100, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments. Separable straw 100 comprises separable straw sections 105A and 105B, discussed elsewhere herein. In FIG. 5, protuberance maximum span length 196 is illustrated as fitting within the larger space of clasp maximum span length 181. In FIG. 5, protuberance minimum span length 197 is illustrated as fitting within the larger space of clasp minimum span length 182.

As illustrated in these examples, the difference between length 197 and length 182, and between length 196 and length 181, may be, for example, 0.005 mm. When the male interlocking member or protuberance is inserted within the female interlocking member or clasp, this difference allows the protuberance to remain with the clasp, not be ejected by the clasp, and not distort the walls of the clasp. For example, if an insufficient amount of room is provided, protuberance may distort within or when inserted into clasp, such as due to folding back of edges of protuberance or other deformation of protuberance, and/or clasp may distort around protuberance. Distortion of clasp and/or protuberance may result in protuberance occupying an excessive volume within clasp, distortion of clasp, distortion of clasp resulting in interference with formation of a seal between the seal faces, and/or distortion of protuberance may result in protuberance backing out of or being ejected from clasp, such as when the distortions relax.

FIG. 6 is the parallel projection of the plan view of the end of separable straw section 105 of FIG. 3 with additional elements identified, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, female seal face is of length 220; female distal seal face is of length 210; and female proximal seal face 215 is of length 215. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, male seal face is of length 225; male distal seal face is of length 235; and male proximal seal face is of length 230. Female seal face length 220 may be equal to male seal face length 225. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the distal and proximal seal faces are not equal, though, in another embodiment, they may be.

FIG. 7 is the parallel projection of the plan view of the end of separable straw section 105 of FIG. 3 with additional elements identified, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, female-type closure profile 160 comprises clasp distal finger 240 and clasp proximal finger 245. Clasp distal finger 240 and clasp proximal finger 245 may provide clasp force 250, resisting deformation of female-type closure profile 160 when, for example, male interlocking member or protuberance 135 is inserted into female interlocking member or clasp cavity 130. Clasp force 250 may hold an inserted male interlocking member or protuberance 135 within female interlocking member or clasp cavity 130.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, male interlocking member or protuberance 135 may provide protuberance expansion force 255. Protuberance expansion force 255 may resist deformation of male interlocking member or protuberance 135 when male interlocking member or protuberance 135 is inserted into female interlocking member or clasp cavity 130.

FIG. 8 is the parallel projection of the plan view of the end of separable straw section 105 of FIG. 3 with additional elements identified, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, clasp distal finger 240 is of length 260 and clasp proximal finger 245 is of length 265. Lengths 260 and 265 may be selected according to a material or materials of separable straw section 105, such as, for example, silicone, and according to a Shore hardness of such material, for example, 60 to 70, to provide clasp force 250 and to resist tearing or breaking when male interlocking member 135 is repeatedly inserted and withdrawn from female interlocking member or clasp cavity 130.

FIG. 9 is a parallel projection of a front elevation view along a z-axis of separable straw section 105, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a parallel projection of a right elevation view along an x-axis of separable straw section 105, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a parallel projection of a left elevation view along a z-axis of separable straw section 105, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a parallel projection of a back elevation view along an x-axis of separable straw section 105, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a perspective projection of a top isomorphic view of separable straw section 150 with shading, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

Claims

1. A straw apparatus comprising a first separable straw section and a second separable straw section, wherein the first separable straw section and the second separable straw section are identical and wherein the first separable straw section and the second separable straw sections comprise a closure structure.

2. The straw apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the closure structure comprises a first protuberance and a first clasp on the first separable straw section and a second protuberance and a second clasp on the second separable straw section.

3. The straw apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first protuberance fits within the second clasp and the second protuberance fits within the first clasp, engaging the closure structure and forming the straw apparatus with a central channel.

4. The straw apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the central channel is a conduit for a fluid or gas drawn into a first end of the straw apparatus by a low pressure region at a second end of the straw apparatus.

5. The straw apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the closure structure comprises a male interlocking member and a female interlocking member.

6. The straw apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the male interlocking member fits within the female interlocking member.

7. The straw apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the female interlocking member comprises a distal finger and a proximal finger.

8. The straw apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the distal finger and the proximal finger provide a clasp force around the male interlocking member.

9. The straw apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first separable straw section is rotated one-hundred and eighty degrees around a y-axis relative to the second separable straw section and a male interlocking member of the first separable straw section occludes a female interlocking member of the second separable straw section and a male interlocking member of the second separable straw section occludes a female interlocking member of the second separable straw section.

10. The straw apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first separable straw section and the second separable straw section are formed of a flexible material.

11. A separable straw section for assembly into a straw apparatus, wherein the separable straw section comprises a channel face, an external face, and a closure structure.

12. The separable straw section of claim 11, wherein the closure structure comprises a male protuberance and a female clasp.

13. The separable straw section of claim 12, wherein the closure structure further comprises a male seal face and a female seal face.

14. The separable straw section of claim 11, wherein the separable straw section is a first separable straw section and the first separable straw section is joined to a second separable straw section, wherein the first separable straw section and the second separable straw section are identical.

15. The first separable straw section and second separable straw section of claim 14, wherein the first separable straw section is joined to the second separable straw section along a seam.

16. The first separable straw section and second separable straw section of claim 15, wherein the seam forms a seal between the first separable straw section and second separable straw section.

17. The first separable straw section and second separable straw section of claim 15, wherein the channel face is a first channel face of the first separable straw section and further comprising a second channel face of the second separable straw section and wherein the first channel face and the second channel face form a channel.

18. The first separable straw section and second separable straw section of claim 17, wherein the channel is a conduit for a fluid or gas.

19. The first separable straw section and second separable straw section of claim 18, wherein the fluid or gas is drawn into a first end of the first separable straw section and the second separable straw section by a low pressure region at a second end of the first separable straw section and the second separable straw section.

20. The separable straw section of claim 11, wherein the separable straw section is formed of a flexible material.