Temperature activated unfolding structure for drinking straws and other enclosed containers

Abstract

A machine for opening drinking straws and/or other enclosed containers using temperature changes. In the drinking straw variety, the straw is made in part or in full by Nitinol (also known as nickel titanium), Shape Memory Material, or similar such material that allows for the change in the straw's shape (known as the parent phase) in the elevated temperature of a dishwashing machine or similar machine using the Nitinol's or Shape Memory Material's reversible solid-state phase change (known as a martensitic transformation). When the straw is returned to room temperature, the straw closes to its original shape (known as its daughter phase) allowing it to be used as a standard straw. The container variety uses the same method but adapts it for container shapes. This phase change allows for lodged materials in the straw and/or container to be easily dislodged by the object opening in the dishwasher.

Claims

1. Temperature activated unfolding structure for drinking straws and other enclosed containers, the drinking straw comprising: A Straw Base running down the length of the straw longitudinally, a Straw Seam running down the opposite side of the Straw Base allowing for opening and closing of the straw, Two Straw Wings making up the sides of the straw comprised of Nitinol, Shape Memory Material or other type of material to allow for the straw to automatically open in the elevated temperature of the dishwasher or other type machine and close again when returned to room temperature. The Straw Seal allows for better contact with the Straw Seam to allow for a better contact and to make it leak proof. The Straw Seal may not proof necessary in case the straw seals naturally.

2. Temperature activated unfolding structure for drinking straws and other enclosed containers, the enclosed container comprising: The Container Side forms the side of the container. The Container Top forms the top of the container. The Container Bottom forms the bottom of the container. The Container Hinge attaches either the Container Top and/or Container Bottom to the Container Side. The Container Hinge is made up in whole or in part by Nitinol, Shape Memory Material or other similar material and allows for the Container Hinge to automatically open the Container Top and/or Container Bottom off of the Container Side in the elevated temperature of the dishwasher or other type machine. The Container Hinge also closes the container when the container returns to room temperature by returning the Container Top and/or Container Bottom to the Container Side. To help have a better seal and connection between the Container Top and/or Container Bottom when the container is closed, there may be Container Seams and Container Seals along the contact points between the Container Top and/or Container Bottom and the Container Side.

3. Temperature activated unfolding structure for drinking straws and other enclosed containers, the enclosed container comprising: The Container Side forms the sides of the container. The Container Base forms the back of the Container Side running longitudinally down the Container Side. The Container Top forms the top of the container. The Container Bottom forms the bottom of the container. In this iteration of the container, as opposed to the Container Hinge changing shape as seen in claim 2, the Container Sides are comprised of Nitinol, Shape Memory Material or other type of material to allow for the sides of the container to automatically open up in the elevated temperature of the dishwasher. The Container Sides close when the container is returned to Room Temperature by returning the Container Sides to their original shape. The Container Sides then touch each other along the the Container Seam. To help have a better seal and connection between the Container Sides when the container is closed, there may be Container Seals along the contact points between the Container Top and/or Container Bottom and the Container Side.

4. Temperature activated unfolding structure for drinking straws and other enclosed containers, the enclosed container comprising: The Container Side forms the sides of the container. The Container Top forms the top of the container. The Container Bottom forms the bottom of the container. In this iteration of the container, as opposed to the Container Side changing shape as seen in claim 3, the Container Top and/or Container Bottom are comprised of Nitinol, Shape Memory Material or other type of material to allow for the Container Top and/or Container Bottom to automatically open up in the elevated temperature of the dishwasher. The Container Top and/or Container Bottom close when the container is returned to Room Temperature by returning the Container Top and/or Container Bottom to their original shape. At room temperature, the Container Top and/or Container Bottom then close along the Container Seam. To help have a better seal and connection between the contact points in the Container Top and/or Container Bottom when the container is closed, there may be Container Seals along the contact points running within the Container Top and/or Container Bottom.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the present invention disclosed in the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate aspects of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of a straw of the present invention switching between its enclosed configuration at room temperature (known as the daughter phase) to its extended configuration (known as the parent phase) in the elevated temperature of a dishwashing machine or other similar machine.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of a straw of the present invention switching between its extended configuration in the elevated temperature of a dishwashing machine or other similar machine to its enclosed configuration at room temperature.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of a straw of the present invention in a variety of different shapes in its enclosed configuration at room temperature.

[0024] FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of an embodiment of a straw of the present invention in its enclosed configuration at room temperature and its extended configuration in the elevated temperature of a dishwashing machine or other similar machine.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of a container of the present invention in its enclosed configuration at room temperature and its extended configuration in the elevated temperature of a dishwashing machine or other similar machine.

[0026] FIG. 6 is an upper perspective view and top view of an embodiment of a container of the present invention in its extended configuration in the elevated temperature of a dishwashing machine or other similar machine.

[0027] FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of an embodiment of a container of the present invention in its enclosed configuration at room temperature and its extended configuration in the elevated temperature of a dishwashing machine or other similar machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, this is two top views of a straw which has a Straw Seam (20) down its side to allow for it to open. Due to the reversible solid-state phase change (known as a martensitic transformation) of either Nitinol metal or Shape Memory Material or other similar materials, the straw opens from an increase in temperature without human intervention (known as the parent phase) thereby allowing any lodged materials to be released and easily cleaned. This feature is useful to allow for straws to open so as to be cleaned in the higher temperature of a dish washer or other similar machine. The initial resting shape (known as the daughter phase) and the expanded shape of the straw (known as the parent phase) can be set during the initial manufacturing process for the straw.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, in a preferred embodiment, the drinking straw includes a Straw Base (10), Straw Seam (20), Straw Wing (30), Straw Seal (40), The Straw Base (10) runs along the back of the straw longitudinally. The Straw Seam (20) runs longitudinally along the opposite side of the straw to the Straw Base (10). The straw is comprised of two Straw Wings (30). The Straw Wings (30) are attached to the Straw Base (10) and open outward in the elevated temperature of the dishwasher (the parent phase) to allow for any lodged materials to be removed. The Straw Wings (30) return to their original shape (the daughter phase) when returned to room temperature so that the drinking straw can be used as intended as a drinking straw. The Straw Wings (30) form the Straw Seam (20) when in the closed daughter phase of the drinking straw. The Straw Seal (40) can be added to the drinking straw to provide a better seal for the straw and allow for it to be airtight. The Straw Seal (40) is not always necessary but can help the straw be more airtight.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, this is two top views of a straw which shows the straw closing from a decrease in temperature. This drawing shows how the straw will return to its original shape (the daughter phase) after exiting from the higher temperatures of a dishwasher. This drawing shows that the straw will again return to its original shape (the daughter phase) so as to be useful as a straw.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, this drawing shows that this new technology can be used for all types of shapes of straws. The scope of the patent should not be limited to just these shapes but should indicate the different range of straws this technology can be applied to. The straws can be of different thicknesses. It also can have different shapes. The seam of the straw can also include different shapes to provide a better seal.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 4, this drawing is two upper perspective views of the straw. It shows the tip of the straw in its closed resting state (the daughter phase) at room temperature and its open state (the parent phase) in the higher temperature of a dishwasher.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 5, this is a side view of a container using the same technology as the straw. The Container's Top (50) and/or Container Bottom (60) automatically opens in an elevated temperature of a dishwasher to its parent phase to allow for easier washing due to the shape change of the Container Hinge (100) due to the Nitinol, Shape Memory Material or other such material that it is made from. The Container Top (50) and/or Container Bottom (60) then returns to its original shape (the daughter phase) when the Container Hinge (100) returns to room temperature thereby sealing the container without human intervention. The resting shape (daughter phase) and the elevated shape (the parent phase) are set during the manufacturing process. This technology does not need to be limited to containers that are cylindric in shape or enclosed on both the top and bottom but can be used for any type of enclosed container wherein the container automatic opening in a dishwasher or similar type of machine would be useful for better cleaning of the container. The Container makes use of Container Seals (90) to allow for a more air tight seal along the Container Seam (80) along the Container Top (50) and/or Container Bottom (60).

[0035] Referring to FIG. 6, this drawing is an upper perspective view of a container that uses this new technology for enclosing the side of a container and also a top view of the same container. The Container's Side (70) opens during the elevated temperature (the parent phase) of a dishwasher and closes when the container returns to room temperature (the daughter phase). The resting shape (the daughter phase) and the elevated shape (the parent phase) are set during the manufacturing process. Container Seals (90) running along the Container Seams (80) can also be utilized to provide a better, more airtight seal. This technology does not need to be limited to containers that are cylindric in shape or enclosed on both the top and bottom but can be used for any type of enclosed container wherein the container automatic opening in a dishwasher or similar type of machine would be useful for better cleaning of the container.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 7, this drawing is two views from the upper perspective of a container that uses this new technology for enclosing the Container Top (50) and/or Container Bottom (60). The Container's Top (50) opens during the elevated temperature of a dishwasher (the parent phase) and closes when the container returns to room temperature (the daughter phase). The resting shape (the daughter phase) and the elevated shape (the parent phase) are set during the manufacturing process. This technology does not need to be limited to containers that are cylindric in shape or enclosed on both the top and bottom but can be used for any type of enclosed container wherein the container automatic opening in a dishwasher or similar type of machine would be useful for better cleaning of the container. This shows just one of the possibilities that this new technology allows for. Different openings and different locations for the openings should also be covered and implied by this patent.

[0037] While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.