Abstract
The invention of this straw is designed to turn the straw into one of reusable tableware, thereby reducing or even avoiding the use of disposable plastic straws, reducing their negative impact on the environment and health, and improving people's lives. Reducing the amount of disposable plastic straws is one of the most effective ways to reduce the damage of plastic waste to the nature. The straw in this invention has a pair of tabs affixed to the edge of the straw opening for easy opening of the straw.
Claims
1. A washable and reusable straw comprises: an elongated hollow tube, made of a semi-rigid material, with at least one closeable opening having two opposing edges along a tube longitudinal wall which has a predetermined thickness; at least one pair of tabs, one on each edge of the opening, affixed to slightly different positions of the edges for separating the opening apart; a connective joint along the tube longitudinal wall on the opposing side of the opening allowing the tube open widely when the closeable opening being unclosed, where the connective joint has a thinner thickness than the predetermined thickness of the tube longitudinal wall; wherein the opening can be closed for liquid passing through the tube where the tube can be opened for cleaning by pushing the tabs away from each other.
2. The straw of claim 1, wherein the pair of tabs is perpendicularly affixed to different positions of the edges of the opening for separating the opening apart.
3. The straw of claim 1, wherein the closeable opening is straight along the tube longitudinal wall.
4. The straw of claim 1, wherein the elongated hollow tube has a cross-section shape selected from the group consisting of round, oval, square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon and heart-shaped.
5. The straw of claim 1, wherein the closeable opening can be magnetically closed by affixing opposite magnetized materials along each edge of the opening.
6. The straw of claim 1, wherein the edges of the closeable opening further comprise: a groove along one edge of the closeable opening; and a convex member along the other edge of the closeable opening; wherein the convex member fits into the groove to securely close the opening.
7. The straw of claim 1, wherein the edges of the closeable opening further comprise: a pair of an interlock mechanism wherein two edges of the closeable opening lock together to seal the opening.
8. A washable and reusable straw comprises: an elongated hollow tube, made of a semi-rigid material, with at least one closeable opening having two opposing edges along a tube longitudinal wall which has a predetermined thickness; at least one pair of tabs, one on each edge of the opening, affixed to slightly different positions of the edges for separating the opening apart; a plurality of connective joints along the tube longitudinal wall equally situated on the side of the tube longitudinal wall allowing the pipette open widely when the closeable opening being unclosed, where the connective joints have thinner thicknesses than the predetermined thickness of the tube longitudinal wall; wherein the opening can be closed for liquid passing through the tube where the tube can be opened for cleaning by pushing the tabs away from each other.
9. The straw of claim 8, wherein the pair of tabs is perpendicularly affixed to different positions of the edges of the opening for separating the opening apart.
10. The straw of claim 8, wherein the closeable opening is straight along the tube longitudinal wall.
11. The straw of claim 8, wherein the elongated hollow tube has a cross-section shape selected from the group consisting of circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon and heart-shaped.
12. The straw of claim 8, wherein the closeable opening can be magnetically closed by affixing opposite magnetized materials along each edge of the opening.
13. The straw of claim 8, wherein the edges of the closeable opening further comprise: a groove along one edge of the closeable opening; and a convex member along the other edge of the closeable opening; wherein the convex member fits into the groove to securely close the opening.
14. The straw of claim 8, wherein the edges of the closeable opening further comprise: a pair of an interlock mechanism wherein two edges of the closeable opening lock together to seal the opening.
15. A washable and reusable straw comprises: an elongated hollow tube, made of a semi-rigid material, with two closeable openings, which can be magnetically closed by affixing opposite magnetized materials along each edge of the openings, on the opposite side of a tube longitudinal wall, having two opposing edges along the tube longitudinal wall on each opening; at least one pair of tabs, one on each edge of one opening, affixed to slightly different positions of the edges for separating the opening apart; wherein the opening can be closed for liquid passing through the tube where the tube can be opened for cleaning by pushing the tabs away from each other.
16. A washable and reusable straw comprises: an elongated hollow tube, made of a semi-rigid material, with two closeable openings on the opposite side of a tube longitudinal wall, having two opposing edges along the tube longitudinal wall on each opening, wherein the edges of the closeable openings further comprise: a groove along each edge of the closeable openings; and a convex member along the other edge of the closeable openings; wherein the convex members fit into the grooves to securely close the opening; at least one pair of tabs, one on each edge of one opening, affixed to slightly different positions of the edges for separating the opening apart; wherein the opening can be closed for liquid passing through the tube where the tube can be opened for cleaning by pushing the tabs away from each other.
17. A washable and reusable straw comprises: an elongated hollow tube, made of a semi-rigid material, with two closeable openings on the opposite side of a tube longitudinal wall, having two opposing edges along the tube longitudinal wall on each opening, wherein the edges of the closeable opening further comprise: a pair of an interlock mechanism wherein two edges of the closeable opening lock together to seal the opening; at least one pair of tabs, one on each edge of one opening, affixed to slightly different positions of the edges for separating the opening apart; wherein the opening can be closed for liquid passing through the tube where the tube can be opened for cleaning by pushing the tabs away from each other.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features are schematic and of the drawings are not to-scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are schematic and arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawings are the following figures:
(2) FIG. 1 is a straw in its opened state with an elongated tube body, a closeable opening, and a pair of tabs.
(3) FIG. 2 is a straw in its closed state.
(4) FIG. 3 is a straw with a pair of tabs in rectangular shape which are affixed to the edges of the opening in slightly different positions to each other.
(5) FIG. 4a is a straw upper section having a connective joint, an interlock mechanism at the edges of the opening, and another interlock mechanism close to the connective joint.
(6) FIG. 4b is a straw upper section having a connective joint which has a relatively thinner wall as the straw wall with an interlock mechanism which is similar to the interlock mechanism close to the straw opening.
(7) FIG. 4c is a straw upper section having a connective joint which also has a relatively thinner wall as the straw wall without an interlock mechanism near the connective joint.
(8) FIG. 5 is a straw having a connective joint which connects two half straw together when the straw is in an opened state.
(9) FIG. 6 is a straw upper section having another embodiment of a seal/interlock mechanism with a pair of a groove and a convex member along the edges of the opening.
(10) FIG. 7a is a straw cross-section showing round shaped of the straw.
(11) FIG. 7b is a straw cross-section showing oval shaped of the straw.
(12) FIG. 7c is a straw cross-section showing square shaped of the straw.
(13) FIG. 7d is a straw cross-section showing rectangle shaped of the straw.
(14) FIG. 7e is a straw cross-section showing triangle shaped of the straw.
(15) FIG. 7f is a straw cross-section showing pentagon shaped of the straw.
(16) FIG. 7g is a straw cross-section showing hexagon shaped of the straw.
(17) FIG. 7h is a straw cross-section showing heart shaped of the straw.
(18) FIG. 8a is a straw cross-section with a pair of opposite magnetized materials along each edge of the opening with the opening being opened.
(19) FIG. 8b is a straw cross-section with a pair of opposite magnetized materials along each edge of the opening with the opening being closed.
(20) FIG. 9a is a straw in its opened state with a closeable opening and a plurality of connective joints along the longitudinal wall of the straw.
(21) FIG. 9b is a straw cross-section having a plurality of connective joints along the longitudinal wall of the straw with an interlock mechanism being closed.
(22) FIG. 10 is a straw in its opened state with two closeable openings, and a pair of tabs.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(23) The invention has several embodiments to achieve the goal of having a washable and reusable straw. The straw is made of any semi-rigid materials, such as a food grade plastic. The semi-rigid materials can also be metal, such as food grade stainless steel. The straw material needs to tolerate a relatively high temperature, such as steam temperature, in order for high-enough temperature to disinfect the straw after it is washed. The straw material needs also to be flexible enough to be opened at the connective joint or hinge of the straw.
(24) FIG. 1 is a typical embodiment showing a straw 10 in its opened state with an elongated tube body 20, a closeable opening 30, and a pair of tabs 40. The opening 30 is along the longitudinal wall 70 of the straw 10. The opening 30 does not need to be straight along the longitudinal wall 70 of the straw 10. In one embodiment of the invention, the opening 30 is straight along the longitudinal wall 70 of the straw 10. The opening 30 has two edges 50 along the opening 30. The straw 10 can be closed by pushing the tabs 40 along with the edges 50 of the opening 30 toward each other as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows the straw 10 in its closed state for use. The tabs 40 are affixed on the edges 50 of the opening 30 with one tab 40 on each edge 50 as shown in FIG. 1. Each tab 40 is affixed to a position on one edge 50 slightly different from the position of the other tab 40 as shown in FIG. 2. This positioning scheme is to ensure an easy separation of the tabs 40, thereby separating the edges 50 of the opening 30 from each other, when the straw 10 is in its closed state. The tabs 40 are preferably affixed perpendicularly to the edges 50 of the opening 30, but are not necessarily affixed perpendicularly to the edges 50 of the opening 30 in order to achieve the intended purpose of opening the straw 10 for cleaning.
(25) The tabs 40 can have variety of different shapes. FIG. 3 shows another example of a straw 10 with a pair of tabs 80 in rectangular shape which are affixed to the edges 50 of the opening 30 in slightly different positions to each other.
(26) The straw wall 60 has a predetermined thickness. Depending upon the size of the straw 10, the thickness of the wall 60 can be in a range approximately from 0.5 mm to 4 mm.
(27) FIG. 4a shows the top part of the straw 10 in FIG. 2. The straw 10 in FIG. 4a is in a closed state. FIG. 4a shows a connective joint 90, an interlock mechanism 100 at the edges 50 of the opening 30, and an interlock mechanism 110 close to the connective joint 90. The connective joint 90 can also be called as a hinge. The connective joint 90 connects two half straw 10 together when the straw 10 is in an opened state for cleaning as shown in FIG. 5. The thickness at the connective joint 90 is thinner than the rest of the straw wall 60, so that the straw 10 can be easily opened and closed. The connective joint can have many different designs such as those shown in FIG. 4b and FIG. 4c. FIG. 4b shows the connective joint 92 has a relatively thinner wall as the rest of the straw wall 60 with an interlock mechanism 120 which is similar to the interlock mechanism 110 shown in FIG. 4a. The difference between the connective joint 90 in FIG. 4a and the connective joint 92 in FIG. 4b is that the connective joint 92 is within the straw wall 60 where the connective joint 90 is outside the straw wall 60. FIG. 4c shows yet another design of a connective joint 94 which also has a relatively thinner wall as the rest of the straw wall 60 without an interlock mechanism near the connective joint as shown in FIG. 4a or FIG. 4b.
(28) The interlock mechanism 100 in FIG. 4a is designed to seal the opening 30 to prevent leaking of liquid while being used. The interlock mechanism 100 is along the edges 50 of the opening 30. The interlock mechanism 100 can be two notched members matching to each other as in FIG. 4a to seal the edge 50 of the opening 30 by snapping the two notched members together. FIG. 6 shows another embodiment for a seal/interlock mechanism 130 along the edges 50 of the opening 30. In this embodiment, there is a pair of a groove 140 along one edge 50 of the opening 30 and a convex member 150 along the other edge 50 of the opening 30. The groove 140 and the convex member 150 lock together to form the seal 130 when the opening 30 is closed as shown in FIG. 6.
(29) The cross section of the straw 10 can be in different shapes, such as round in FIG. 7a, oval in FIG. 7b, square in FIG. 7c, rectangle FIG. 7d, triangle in FIG. 7e, pentagon in FIG. 7f, hexagon in FIG. 7g and heart-shaped as shown in FIG. 7h.
(30) In another embodiment of the invention, the opening 30 can also be closed by a pair of opposite magnetized materials along each edge 50 of the opening 30. FIG. 8a shows a cross-section 160 of a straw 10 with a pair of opposite magnetized materials 170 along each edge 50 of the opening 30 with the opening being opened. FIG. 8b shows a cross-section 160 of a straw 10 with a pair of opposite magnetized materials 170 along each edge 50 of the opening 30 with the opening being closed.
(31) FIG. 9a is another embodiment of the invention depicting a straw 12 in its opened state with a closeable opening 32 and a plurality of connective joints 96 along the longitudinal wall 72 of the straw 12. The opening 32 does not need to be straight along the longitudinal wall 72 of the straw 12. In one embodiment of the invention, the opening 32 is straight along the longitudinal wall 72 of the straw 12 as depicted in FIG. 9a. The opening 32 has two edges 52 along the opening 32. The straw 12 can be closed by pushing the tabs 42 along with the edges 52 of the opening 32 toward each other. FIG. 9b shows a cross-section of the straw 12 in its closed state. The tabs 42 are affixed on the edges 52 of the opening 32 with one tab 42 on each edge 52 as shown in FIG. 9a. Each tab 42 is affixed to a position on one edge 52 slightly different from the position of the other tab 42 as shown in FIG. 9a. This positioning scheme is to ensure an easy separation of the tabs 42, thereby separating the edges 52 of the opening 32 from each other, when the straw 12 is in its closed state. The tabs 42 are preferably affixed perpendicularly to the edges 52 of the opening 32, but are not necessarily affixed perpendicularly to the edges 52 of the opening 32 in order to achieve the intended purpose of opening the straw 12 for cleaning.
(32) The tabs 42 can have variety of different shapes as mentioned previously hereinabove as shown in FIG. 3 as an example in the straw 10 with a pair of tabs 80 in rectangular shape.
(33) The straw wall 62 of the straw 12 has a predetermined thickness. Depending upon the size of the straw 12, the thickness of the wall 62 can be in a range approximately from 0.5 mm to 4 mm.
(34) The plurality of the connective joints 96 can also be called as hinges. The connective joints 96 connect straw wall 62 of the straw 12 together when the straw 12 is in an opened state as shown in FIG. 9a. The thickness of each connective joint 96 is thinner than the rest of the straw wall 62, so that the straw 12 can be easily opened and closed.
(35) The interlock mechanism 200 in FIG. 9b is designed to seal the opening 32 to prevent leaking of liquid. The interlock mechanism 200 is along the edges 52 of the opening 32. The interlock mechanism 200 shown in FIG. 9b is a seal along the edges 52 of the opening 32. The interlock mechanism 200 can be two notched members matching to each other as in FIG. 9a to seal the edge 52 of the opening 32 by snapping the two notched members together. The interlock mechanism 200 can also be similar to the interlock mechanism shown in FIG. 6 discussed above. The interlock mechanism 200 can also be similar the interlock mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 4a, FIG. 4b and FIG. 4c for the straw 10 as discussed hereinabove.
(36) The cross section of the straw 12 can be in different shapes, such as round in FIG. 7a, oval in FIG. 7b, square in FIG. 7c, rectangle FIG. 7d, triangle in FIG. 7e, pentagon in FIG. 7f, hexagon in FIG. 7g and heart-shaped as shown in FIG. 7h.
(37) In another embodiment of the invention, the opening 32 of the straw 12 can also be closed by a pair of opposite magnetized materials along each edge 52 of the opening 32 as discussed in FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b.
(38) FIG. 10 is yet another embodiment showing a straw 14 in its opened state with two closeable openings 34 and 36, and a pair of tabs 44. The openings 34 and 36 are along the longitudinal wall 74 of the straw 14. The openings 34 and 36 do not need to be straight along the longitudinal wall 74 of the straw 14. In one embodiment of the invention, the openings 34 and 36 are straight along the longitudinal wall 74 in the opposing side of the straw 14. Each opening of the openings 34 and 36 has two edges 54 and 56 along their respective openings 34 and 36. The straw 14 can be closed by pushing the tabs 44 along with the edges 54 and 56 of the opening 34 and 36 toward each other. FIG. 10 shows the straw 14 in its opening state. The tabs 44 are affixed on one set of edges 54 or 56 of the respective openings 34 and 36 with one tab 44 on each edge 54 or 56 as shown in FIG. 10 (it is affixed on edges 54 in this instance). Each tab 44 is affixed to a position on one edge 54 or 56 slightly different from the position of the other tab 44 on the same side of the opening. This positioning scheme is to ensure an easy separation of the tabs 44, thereby separating the edges 54 or 56 of their respective openings 34 and 36 from each other, when the straw 14 is in its closed state. The tabs 44 are preferably affixed perpendicularly to the edges 54 or 56 of their respective openings 34 and 36, but are not necessarily affixed perpendicularly to the edges 54 or 54 of their respective openings 34 and 36 in order to achieve the intended purpose of opening the straw 14.
(39) The tabs 44 can have variety of different shapes as mentioned previously hereinabove as shown in FIG. 3 as an example in the straw 10 with a pair of tabs 80 in rectangular shape.
(40) The straw wall 64 has a predetermined thickness. Depending upon the size of the straw 14, the thickness of the wall 64 can be in a range approximately from 0.5 mm to 4 mm.
(41) In the embodiment that has two openings as shown in FIG. 10, no connective joint is necessary to open the straw 14 for cleaning.
(42) The interlock mechanisms 300 and 350 in FIG. 10 is designed to seal the openings 34 and 36 respectively. The interlock mechanisms 300 and 350 are along the edges 54 and 56 of the openings 34 and 36 respectively. The interlock mechanisms 300 and 350 shown in FIG. 10 are seals along the edges 54 and 56 of their respective openings 34 and 36 to prevent leaking of liquid. The interlock mechanisms 300 and 350 can each be two notched members matching to each other as in FIG. 10 to seal the edge 54 and 56 of the opening 34 and 36 respectively by snapping each pair of the notched members together. The interlock mechanisms 300 and 350 can also similar to the interlock mechanism shown in FIG. 6 discussed above. The interlock mechanisms 300 and 350 can also be like the interlock mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 4a, FIG. 4b and FIG. 4c for the straw 10.
(43) The cross section of the straw 14 can be in different shapes, such as round in FIG. 7a, oval in FIG. 7b, square in FIG. 7c, rectangle FIG. 7d, triangle in FIG. 7e, pentagon in FIG. 7f, hexagon in FIG. 7g and heart-shaped as shown in FIG. 7h.
(44) In another embodiment of the invention, the openings 34 and 36 of the straw 14 can also be closed by a pair of opposite magnetized materials along each edge 54 and 56 of their respective openings 34 and 36 as discussed in FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b.
