MALLEABLE METAL STRAW

Abstract

A malleable metal straw. The malleable metal straw has an elongated member with a metal sidewall and a first open end and a second open end. An interior region has a liquid permissible cavity from the first open end to the second open end wherein at least a portion of the metal sidewall is sufficiently thin to allow the elongated member to bend under hand strength force. The malleable metal straw can further have a support structure within the interior region.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This nonprovisional patent application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/876,464 filed on Jul. 15, 2019.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates in general to apparatus for beverage consumption. The disclosure relates in particular to a malleable metal straw for beverage consumption.

BACKGROUND DISCUSSION

Single use plastic straws are becoming increasingly out of public favor due to their detrimental impact on the environment. Multiple use straws can be made out of plastic, wood, or metal. These straws are typically preformed into a particular shape. This application relates to another approach.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to a malleable metal straw apparatus for consuming a liquid. The malleable metal straw has an elongated member with a metal sidewall and a first open end and a second open end. An interior region has a liquid permissible cavity from the first open end to the second open end wherein at least a portion of the metal sidewall is sufficiently thin to allow the elongated member to bend under hand strength force.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, schematically illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of preferred methods and embodiment given below, serve to explain principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a malleable metal straw.

FIG. 2A is top view showing an end of that seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is top view showing an end of that seen in FIG. 1 further having a 3-member support structure.

FIG. 2C is top view showing an end of that seen in FIG. 1 further having a 4-member support structure.

FIG. 2D is top view showing an end of that seen in FIG. 1 further having a 6-member support structure.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a malleable metal straw wherein a section is corrugated.

FIG. 3B is a side view of that shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of another embodiment of a malleable metal straw similar to that seen in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, wherein the corrugated section is spiraled.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures attached herein, methods and embodiments of the present invention are described further hereinbelow.

FIGS. 1 and 2A provide views of a malleable metal straw 10 for consuming a liquid. The malleable metal straw 10 has an elongated member having a metal wall 12 with an outer metal sidewall 14, an inner metal sidewall 16. The metal wall is circular and has a first open end 20 and a second open end 22. An interior region 24 has a liquid permissible cavity with continuity from the first open end 20 to the second open end 22. At least a portion of the metal wall thickness is sufficiently thin to allow the elongated member to bend under hand strength force. Here, the malleable metal straw is shown unbent.

Herein, hand strength is based on a typical human user. In some embodiments, hand strength force refers to strength in an average single hand and fingers. In other embodiments, two hands are required to bend the malleable metal straw. In other embodiments, hand strength required is as defined by NASA-STD-3000 section 4.9 and associated Arm, and Thumb/Finger Strength data.

The malleable metal straw can be made aluminum, copper, stainless steel, or combinations thereof. When using aluminum, two nonlimiting alloys include 3003-H18 or 1100-H18. The malleable metal straw can be finished with any food safe coatings. In aluminum embodiments, the malleable metal straw can be anodized. Clear anodization per MIL-A-8625 Type II can be applied, or any colored anodization.

Regardless of material, an optional insulator member can be applied to a portion of the malleable metal straw along the metal sidewall at either of the openings, partially along the length of the malleable metal straw, or in its entirety. Here, the insulator can be a removable sleeve, an insulator material applied to the metal, or integrated into the straw. The insulator need not itself be made from an insulative material, rather the insulator member design must merely reduce conductive heat transfer to accommodate the malleable metal straw for its intended use, for instance consumption of hot beverages.

The size and shape of the malleable metal straw ranges depending on intended use and material. In general, the wall thickness can vary from 0.001″ to 0.80″. A cross section opening of the malleable metal straw can range from between 0.010″ to 1.0″. The length can vary from 2″ to 36″.

The wall thickness can vary along the length of the malleable metal straw. In some embodiments the wall thickness is thinner only in a portion in order to promote bending to a restricted area. In other embodiments, wall thickness is asymmetric to promote bending in a certain direction.

FIG. 2A provides a cross section view of a circular embodiment. Other profiles can include oval, triangular, square, or any other close profile. For applications when an increased bend radius is desired the malleable metal straw can be reinforced to decrease buckling.

Referring to FIG. 2B, 2C, and 2D provide cross section views of a malleable metal straw with a support structure integrated within the interior region. The embodiments share similar to that seen in FIG. 2A, further having a support structure. FIG. 2B has a support structure 28B. Support structure 28B has three legs dividing an interior region 24B into three distinct channels. FIG. 2C has a support structure 28C. Support structure 28C has four legs dividing an interior region 24C into four distinct channels. Similarly, FIG. 2D has a support structure 28D. Support structure 28D has six legs dividing an interior region 24B into six distinct channels. The support structure prevents collapse of the metal wall when bent.

Here the support structures are symmetrical, but in other embodiments the support structure is asymmetric. Similar to wall thickness, the support structure can have varying thickness and be either thicker or thinner than the wall thickness. In some embodiments the support structure in linear through the length of the malleable metal straw. In other embodiments the support structure profile rotates or spirals.

Referring to FIG. 3A, 3B, and 3C, a malleable metal straw has corrugated in linear and spiral patterns. FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B both show linear corrugated patters. A malleable metal straw 60 has a corrugated section 62 with an exemplary rim 64 and exemplary valley 66. Each rim is linear and wraps around the straw. The space inside each rim is hollow. The spacing between the rim and valley, along with the hollow interior allows easier bending and focuses the bending to the region of the corrugated pattern. FIG. 3C provides a malleable metal straw 70. Here, a corrugated section 72 is spiraled in a continuous rim 74. The embodiments shown allow a typical straw to reversibly bend up to 90 degrees.

The aforementioned malleable metal straws can be made by a variety of manufacturing techniques including CNC machining, additive manufacturing, metal extrusion of combinations thereof. Metal extrusion is one preferred manufacturing technique when the malleable metal straw is monolithic and made from a single material. In a typical manufacturing process, a combination of extrusion and drawing is needed to achieve a functional and cost effective profile.

One preferred method of manufacture is hydroforming. In hydroforming, a high pressure hydraulic fluid is pressed working material, here metal, into a die and press the working material into the same shape as the negative mold. In some embodiments, sheet metal is used to create the straws in a sheet, then they are rolled and seem welded to create the straw shape or profile. While in this embodiment a round or circular shape is formed, any number of polygon shapes can be formed. Generally, and sheet metal forming technique can be applied to create the desired profile. The ends are deburred and finished as before.

From the description of the present invention provided herein one skilled in the art can implement the method of manufacture in accordance with the present invention. While the present invention has been described in terms of particular examples, others can be implemented without departing from the invention. In some embodiments components were illustrated as separate pieces, other as monolithic bodies. It is to be understood that any particular component can be made from an assembly of parts. Further the features of certain parts can be combined with other parts to form monolithic bodes incorporating the features or functional aspects of the separate parts. In summary, the present invention is described above in terms of particular embodiments. The invention, however, is not limited to the embodiments described and depicted herein. Rather, the invention is limited only by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A malleable metal straw apparatus for consuming a liquid, comprising:

an elongated member having an outer metal sidewall, a inner metal sidewall and a first open end and a second open end;

an interior region having a liquid permissible cavity from the first open end to the second open end; and

wherein at least a portion of the metal sidewall is sufficiently thin to allow the elongated member to bend under hand strength force.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a support structure within the interior region.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support structure has a least three legs.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support structure is symmetrical.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the material metal straw is made from aluminum, copper, stainless steel or combinations thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a corrugated region.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the corrugated region has a linear pattern.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the corrugated region has a spiral pattern.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a support structure.