Reusable straw wash tool assembly

Abstract

Embodiments of apparatus for reusable drinking straw cleaning include a flexible central brush and a plurality of external brushes supported by a hand-held handle. The flexible central brush is passed one end of a drinking straw and the drinking straw is drawn down into concentrically disposed external brushes. The drinking straw is withdrawn, reversed and the process is repeated. A handle central bore provides external brush pressure onto the straw when it has been drawn into contact with the external brushes. After both ends of the reusable drinking straw are cleaned, the reusable drinking straw is withdrawn from the assembly and placed in a sterilizing solution or dishwasher, and dried. The flexible central brush is replaced without disassembly of the apparatus. Embodiments provide a support stand to receive and hold the assembly in a vertical position from the bottom of a wash sink.

Claims

1. An assembly to clean a reusable drinking straw, the assembly comprising, in combination: A. a handle base element comprising a solid body, distal end surface and a proximal end surface, a longitudinal central axis, at least four side surfaces, seven openings on the base element distal end surface, wherein six openings are an array of concentrically equally spaced and equal sized openings about the longitudinal central axis and the seventh opening is threaded and centered on the longitudinal central axis, two equal sized openings on opposite sides of the array of the concentrically and equally spaced openings about the longitudinal central axis of the handle base distal end surface and through the entire base element providing access from the handle base element distal end surface to the handle base element proximal end surface, and an aperture orthogonally disposed to and transecting the longitudinal central axis through two opposing side surfaces and the base element solid body between the proximal end surface and a point midway along the longitudinal central axis of the handle base element solid body; B. a handle top element comprising a solid body, a proximal end surface sized to correspond to the handle base element distal end surface, a longitudinal central axis corresponding to the longitudinal central axis of the handle base element, a flanged distal end surface comprising three equal sized threaded openings equally, spaced about the longitudinal central axis, at least four side surfaces sized to correspond to the handle base element four side surfaces comprising ergonomic grip ridges on at least two opposing side surfaces below the flanged handle top element distal end surface, a central bore comprising a diameter sized to correspond to the diameter of the array of concentrically and equally spaced openings in the handle base element axis distal end surface through the entire handle top element solid body along the longitudinal central axis providing access from the handle top element distal end surface to the handle top element proximal surface, two equal sized threaded openings on opposite sides of the central bore on the handle top element proximal end surface sized and positioned to correspond to the two openings on opposite sides of the array of the concentrically and equally spaced openings about the longitudinal central axis of the handle base distal end surface; C. six equal sized external brushes, each external brush comprising a first end sized to be received and held by one of the equal sized array of six openings concentrically and equally spaced about the handle base element longitudinal central axis on the handle base element distal end surface, a second end, and a length of bristles between the external brush first end and the external brush second end providing an array of external brush bristles equally spaced about the handle base element longitudinal central axis and extending through the handle top element bore; D. a guide element comprising a flanged proximal end and a distal end sized to be received and secured by a retainer element, a central axis aligned with the handle base element longitudinal central axis, a guide element central bore comprising a diameter smaller than the handle top element central bore and sized to receive a drinking straw diameter, six equal sized openings on guide element proximal end, concentrically disposed around the guide element central bore, each equal sized opening sized to receive and secure an external brush second end; E. a retainer collar comprising a central opening diameter sized to correspond to the diameter of the guide element distal end and a distal side surface comprising three equal sized openings equally spaced about retainer central opening corresponding to the three threaded equal sized openings on the handle top element flanged surface; F. first equal sized threaded fasteners, each first equal sized fastener sized to be received through the two equal sized openings on the handle base element proximal end surface and threaded into the corresponding equal sized handle top element proximal end threaded openings securing the handle base element to the handle top element; G. second equal sized threaded fasteners, each second equal sized threaded fastener sized to be received through one of the three equal sized threaded openings in the retainer collar and threaded into a corresponding threaded equal sized opening on the handle top element flanged surface securing the retainer element, guide element, and retainer collar to the handle top element; and H. a flexible central brush comprising a threaded end sized to be received and held by the threaded opening centered on the handle base element distal end surface, a second end, and a length of bristles between the central brush threaded end and the central brush second end providing a length of flexible central brush element bristles extending through the six equal sized external brushes in the handle top element central bore and above and beyond the handle top element.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle base element distal end surface and a handle side surface thereof further comprise a single notch.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the handle top element further comprises: A. a handle top element aperture orthogonally disposed to the longitudinal central axis and transecting the top element central bore near a midpoint between the handle top element proximal and distal surfaces and accessible from opposing sides of the handle top element; and B a handle top element channel orthogonally disposed to the longitudinal central axis and transecting the top element central bore on the handle top element proximal surface and accessible from opposing sides of the handle top element, one end of the top element channel comprising a notch on the same side of the handle top element as the side comprising the notch on the handle base element.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle base element and the handle top element comprise octagonal side surfaces with two opposing sides having equal lengths longer than the six other equal length sides, and the handle top element flanged distal end surface is circular.

5. The assembly of claim 4, further comprising: A. a base comprising a central stand; B. the central stand comprising an octagonal open top end sized to receive, stabilize and vertically hold the handle base element, openings on opposing sides of the central stand comprising diameters corresponding to the handle base aperture; C. a plurality of base radial arms, each base radial arm comprising a first end affixed to a bottom end of the central stand, and a second end comprising a stabilizing disk, each stabilizing disk comprising a central opening; D. a rubber suction cup sized to be received and held by each central base stabilizing disk central opening such that a suction cup concave portion is disposed face down under each stabilizing disk; and E. a detent pin sized to be received within the openings on opposing sides of the central stand and secure the handle base element within the central stand.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the central stand further comprises an aperture centered on a bottom surface and a rubber suction cup sized to be received and held by the aperture such that a suction cup concave portion is disposed face down under the central stand.

7. An assembly to clean a reusable drinking straw, the assembly comprising, in combination: A. a handle base element comprising a solid body, distal end surface and a proximal end surface, a longitudinal central axis, at least four side surfaces, seven openings on the base element distal end surface, wherein six openings are an array of concentrically equally spaced and equal sized openings about the longitudinal central axis and the seventh opening is threaded and centered on the longitudinal central axis, two equal sized openings on opposite sides of the array of the concentrically and equally spaced openings about the longitudinal central axis of the handle base distal end surface and through the entire base element providing access from the handle base element distal end surface to the handle base element proximal end surface, and an aperture orthogonally disposed to and transecting the longitudinal central axis through two opposing side surfaces and the base element solid body between the proximal end surface and a point midway along the longitudinal central axis of the handle base element solid body; B. a handle top element comprising a solid body, a proximal end surface sized to correspond to the handle base element distal end surface, a longitudinal central axis corresponding to the longitudinal central axis of the handle base element, a flanged distal end surface comprising three equal sized threaded openings equally, spaced about the longitudinal central axis, at least four side surfaces sized to correspond to the handle base element four side surfaces comprising ergonomic grip ridges on at least two opposing side surfaces below the flanged handle top element distal end surface, a central bore comprising a diameter sized to correspond to the diameter of the array of concentrically and equally spaced openings in the handle base element axis distal end surface through the entire handle top element solid body along the longitudinal central axis providing access from the handle top element distal end surface to the handle top element proximal surface, two equal sized threaded openings on opposite sides of the central bore on the handle top element proximal end surface sized and positioned to correspond to the two openings on opposite sides of the array of the concentrically and equally spaced openings about the longitudinal central axis of the handle base distal end surface; C. six equal sized external brushes, each external brush comprising a first end sized to be received and held by one of the equal sized array of six openings concentrically and equally spaced about the handle base element longitudinal central axis on the handle base element distal end surface, a second end, and a length of bristles between the external brush first end and the external brush second end providing an array of external brush bristles equally spaced about the handle base element longitudinal central axis and extending through the handle top element bore; D. a guide element comprising a flanged proximal end and a distal end sized to be received and secured by a retainer element, a central axis aligned with the handle base element longitudinal central axis, a guide element central bore comprising a diameter smaller than the diameter of the handle top element central bore and sized to receive a drinking straw diameter, six equal sized openings on guide element proximal end, concentrically disposed around the guide element central bore, each equal sized opening sized to receive and secure an external brush second end; E. a retainer collar comprising a central opening diameter sized to correspond to the diameter of the guide element distal end and a distal side surface comprising three equal sized openings equally spaced about retainer central opening corresponding to the three threaded equal sized openings on the handle top element flanged surface; F. first equal sized threaded fasteners, each first equal sized fastener sized to be received through the two equal sized openings on the handle base element proximal end surface and threaded into the corresponding equal sized handle top element proximal end threaded openings securing the handle base element to the handle top element; G. second equal sized threaded fasteners, each second equal sized threaded fastener sized to be received through one of the three equal sized threaded openings in the retainer collar and threaded into a corresponding threaded equal sized opening on the handle top element flanged surface securing the retainer element, guide element and retainer collar to the handle top element; H. a flexible central brush comprising a threaded end sized to be received and held by the threaded opening centered on the handle base element distal end surface, a second end, and a length of bristles between the central brush threaded end and the central brush second end providing a length of flexible central brush element bristles extending through the six equal sized external brushes in the handle top element central bore and above and beyond the handle top element; I. a base comprising a central stand; J. the central stand comprising an octagonal open top end sized to receive, stabilize and vertically hold the handle base element, openings on opposing sides of the central stand comprising diameters corresponding to the handle base aperture, and a bottom surface comprising a central aperture; K. a plurality of base radial arms, each base radial arm comprising a first end affixed to a bottom end of the central stand, and a second end comprising a stabilizing disk, each stabilizing disk comprising a central opening; L. a rubber suction cup sized to be received and held by each central base stabilizing disk central opening such that a suction cup concave portion is disposed face down under each stabilizing disk; and M. a detent pin sized to be received within the openings on opposing sides of the central stand and secure the handle base element within the central stand; and N. a rubber suction cup sized to be received and held by the aperture on the central stand bottom surface such that a suction cup concave portion is disposed face down under the central stand.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the handle top element further comprises: A. a handle top element aperture orthogonally disposed to the longitudinal central axis and transecting the top element central bore near a midpoint between the handle top element proximal and distal surfaces and accessible from opposing sides of the handle top element; and B. a handle top element channel orthogonally disposed to the longitudinal central axis and transecting the top element central bore on the handle top element proximal surface and accessible from opposing sides of the handle top element, one end of the top element channel comprising a notch on the same side of the handle top element as the side comprising a notch on the handle base element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus for washing and cleaning reusable drinking straws will become better understood regarding the following description, and accompanying drawings as further described.

(2) FIG. 1 is a distal end top perspective view of the handle element 20 for an embodiment of the hand-held apparatus 10 for washing and cleaning reusable drinking straws.

(3) FIG. 2A is an exploded view of the brushing elements and the distal end top perspective view of the handle base element 24 for an embodiment of the hand-held apparatus 10 for washing and cleaning reusable drinking straws.

(4) FIG. 2B is a exploded view of the distal end top perspective view of the of the handle top element 25, guide 50, and guide retainer 70 in relation to the Handle base element and brushing elements of FIG. 2A for an embodiment of the hand-held apparatus 10 for washing and cleaning reusable drinking straws.

(5) FIG. 2C is a distal end top perspective view of an embodiment of the hand-held apparatus 10 for washing and cleaning reusable drinking straws.

(6) FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the guide element 50 for embodiments of the hand-held apparatus 10 for washing and cleaning reusable drinking straws.

(7) FIG. 4 is a distal end top perspective view of the retainer collar element 70 for embodiments of the apparatus for washing and cleaning reusable drinking straws.

(8) FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the base element 100 for embodiments of the free-standing 12 apparatus for washing and cleaning reusable drinking straws.

(9) FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the free-standing apparatus 12 for washing and cleaning reusable drinking straws with a bent metal drinking straw 210 engaged with the apparatus.

(10) FIG. 7 is a planar view of the handle base element 24 distal surface.

(11) FIG. 8 is a planar view of the handle base element 24 proximal surface.

(12) FIG. 9 is a planar view of the handle top element 25 distal surface.

(13) FIG. 10 is a planar view of the handle top element 25 proximal surface.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(14) Embodiments of apparatus for washing and cleaning reusable drinking straws are disclosed generally in FIGS. 1-10.

(15) An embodiment of the hand-held reusable drinking straw wash tool assembly 10 includes a handle base element 24, FIGS. 1 and 2A. The handle base element 24 provides a distal end surface, FIG. 7, a proximal end surface, FIG. 8, and a longitudinal central axis 26. The handle base element includes at least four side surfaces. Seven openings are included on the base element distal end surface. Six of the openings are an array of concentrically equally spaced and equal sized openings 33 about the handle base element longitudinal central axis 26. The seventh opening 35 is threaded and centered on the handle base element longitudinal central axis 26. Two equal sized openings 19 are included on opposite sides of the array of the concentrically and equally spaced openings 33 about the longitudinal central axis 26 of the handle base distal end surface, FIG. 7. The two equal sized openings 19 extend through the entire base element providing access from the handle base element distal end surface to the handle base element proximal end surface, FIG. 8. A handle base element aperture 28 orthogonally disposed to the longitudinal central axis 26 is provided through the handle base element 24 and is accessible from opposing sides of the handle base element, FIGS. 1-2C.

(16) An embodiment of the hand-held reusable drinking straw wash tool assembly 10 includes a notch 29 in a handle base element 24 side and distal end surface, FIGS. 1-2C and 7. This notch 29 provides access to the assist in separating the handle base element 24 from the handle top element 25 for cleaning and maintenance of the handle 20.

(17) An embodiment of the reusable drinking straw wash tool assembly further includes a handle top element 25 providing a proximal end surface, FIG. 10, sized to correspond to the handle base element distal end surface, FIG. 7, a handle top element longitudinal central axis 26 corresponding to the longitudinal central axis 26 of the handle base element 24, and a flanged handle top element distal end surface 22, FIGS. 1 and 2B. The flanged handle top element distal end surface 22 includes three equal sized threaded openings 34 equally spaced about the handle top element longitudinal central axis 26, FIGS. 1, 2B, and 9. The handle top element 25 further includes at least four side surfaces sized to correspond to the handle base element 24 four side surfaces and further provides ergonomic grip ridges 36 around the handle top element 25 side surfaces below the flanged handle top element distal end surface 22. A central bore 30, FIGS. 1, 9 and 10, having a diameter sized slightly less than the diameter of the array of concentrically and equally spaced openings in the handle base element 24 distal end surface, FIG. 7, through the entire handle top element along the longitudinal central axis provides access from the handle top element distal end surface, FIG. 9, to the handle top element proximal surface, FIGS. 1 and 10. Two equal sized threaded openings 21 are included on opposite sides of the central bore 30 on the handle top element proximal end surface, FIG. 10, sized and positioned to correspond to the two openings 19 on opposite sides of the array of the concentrically and equally spaced openings about the longitudinal central axis of the handle base distal end surface FIG. 7.

(18) An embodiment of the hand-held reusable drinking straw wash tool assembly 10 further includes a handle top element aperture 23 orthogonally disposed to the longitudinal central axis 26 is provided through the handle top element 25 and is accessible from opposing sides of the handle top element, FIGS. 1-2C. This handle top element aperture 23 transects to the central bore 30 and allows fluid flow into and from the central bore 30 from either opposing handle top element side for cleaning solutions into the central bore 30 and to the concentrically and equally spaced external brushes 80 housed therein while cleaning a reusable straw. This handle top element aperture 23 also enhances air drying of the central bore 30 and the concentrically and equally spaced external brushes 80 while the assembly is not is use.

(19) An embodiment of the hand-held reusable drinking straw wash tool assembly 10 includes a handle top element channel 27 orthogonally disposed to the longitudinal central axis 26. This top element channel 27 is provided through the handle top element proximal surface and is accessible from opposing sides of the handle top element, FIGS. 1-2C, and 10. This handle top element channel 27 transects the central bore 30 to allows fluid flow into and from from the central bore 30 from either opposing handle element side for cleaning solutions into the central bore 30 and to the concentrically and equally spaced external brushes 80 housed therein while cleaning a reusable straw. This handle top element channel 27 also enhances air drying of the central bore 30 and the concentrically and equally spaced external brushes 80 while the assembly is not is use. This handle top element channel 27 also provides a notch on the same side of the handle assembly as the handle base element notch 29 to the assist in separating the handle base element 24 from the handle top element 25 for cleaning and maintenance of the handle 20, FIGS. 1-2C, 7 and 10.

(20) A preferred embodiment of the hand-held reusable drinking straw wash tool assembly 10 provides octagonal side surfaces for the handle base element 24 and the handle top element 25, with two opposing sides having equal lengths longer than the six other equal length sides, FIGS. 7-10. For this preferred embodiment, the handle top element flanged end is circular 22, with a circumference that is larger than the octagonal side of the top element 25, and the octagonal side surfaces for the handle base element 24 and the handle top element 25 are sized to correspond once the two elements are aligned vertically along the longitudinal central axis 26, FIGS. 1-2C, and 7-10.

(21) An embodiment of the hand-held reusable drinking straw wash tool assembly 10 further provides six equal sized external brushes 80, each external brush 80 having a first end sized to be received and held by one of the equal sized array of openings 33 concentrically and equally spaced about the handle base element longitudinal central axis 26 on the handle base element distal end surface, a second end sized to be received and held by one of the equal sized array of openings 54 concentrically and equally spaced about the handle base element longitudinal central axis 26 on the guide element 50 proximal end surface, and a length of bristles between the external brush first end and the external brush second end. The assembled hand-held reusable drinking straw wash tool assembly thus provides an array of external brush bristles equally spaced about the handle top element central bore 30 along the longitudinal central axis 26, FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3. For preferred embodiments of the reusable straw wash tool assemblies, 10 or 12, each external brushes 80 is a standard 6 mm brush having an approximate 6.5 mm brush bristle diameter, cut to length depending on the straw size. It is understood that depending on reusable straw diameter, the brush length and brush bristle length may be suitably adjusted.

(22) An embodiment of the hand-held reusable drinking straw wash tool assembly 10 further includes a retainer element 70 with central opening 72 having a diameter sized to correspond to the diameter of the guide element 50, FIGS. 3 and 4, and a distal side surface having three equal sized openings 74 equally spaced about the retainer central opening 72 and corresponding to the three threaded equal sized openings 34 on the handle top element 25 flanged surface, FIG. 9.

(23) An embodiment of the hand-held drinking straw wash tool assembly 10 also includes the guide element 50 which provides a distal end 60 sized to be received and secured by the retainer 70 and a flanged proximal end 52, a central axis 26 aligned with the handle base element longitudinal central axis 26, and a guide element central bore 56 sized to receive a drinking straw diameter. Six equal sized openings 54 are concentrically disposed around the guide element central bore 56 on the guide element flanged proximal end surface, each equal sized opening sized to receive and secure an external brush second end, FIGS. 1-2C, 3, and 4. The guide element central bore 56 diameter is smaller than the diameter of the hand-held handle top element central bore 30, FIGS. 1, 9 and 10.

(24) An embodiment of the hand-held drinking straw wash tool assembly 10 has threaded fasteners sized to be received through the two equal sized openings on the handle base element proximal end surface 19 and into the two equal sized handle top element proximal end threaded openings 21 securing the handle base element to the handle top element, FIGS. 1-2C, and 7-10.

(25) An embodiment of the hand-held drinking straw wash tool assembly 10 has threaded fasteners sized to be received through the three equal sized threaded openings in the retainer collar and threaded into the three threaded equal sized openings on the handle top element flanged surface securing the retainer element 50 and the guide element 70 to the handle top element 25, FIGS. 1-2C.

(26) For an embodiment of the hand-held reusable drinking straw wash tool assembly 10 a flexible central brush 120, FIGS. 2A and 2B, is provided, having a flexible stainless-steel length, a threaded proximal end 40, and a second distal end providing a length of bristles. The flexible central brush threaded attachment threaded proximal end 40 is sized to be received by the single equal sized threaded opening 35 centered on the hand-held handle longitudinal central axis 26, FIG. 7. The flexible central brush 120 can be replaced by simply unscrewing it from the hand-held handle 20 and screwing in a new flexible central brush 120, both actions accomplished by gripping the shank of the flexible central brush 120 without disassembling the assembly. In preferred embodiments of the hand-held, reusable drinking straw wash tool assembly 10, or the free-standing hand-held, reusable drinking straw wash tool assembly 12, the flexible central brush 120 is a 9 mm brush inside diametercut to a length that enables the brush bristles to reach a substantial portion of the straw length. The flexible central brush 120 allows both the hand-held, reusable drinking straw wash tool assembly 10 and the free-standing, reusable drinking straw wash tool assembly 12 embodiments to scrub and clean curved reusable straws as well as straight reusable straws FIGS. 2C and 6.

(27) An embodiment of the free-standing assembled reusable drinking straw wash assembly, 12, provides a base 100, FIGS. 5 and 6. The base 100 includes a central stand 102 having an open top end 114 sized to receive, stabilize and vertically hold the handle base element 24, and dual side openings 116 having diameters corresponding to the handle base element aperture 28. A plurality of base radial arms 104 are provided, each base radial arm having a first end 106 affixed to the bottom end of the central stand 102. Each radial arm 104 further provides a second end including a stabilizing disk 110. Each base stabilizing disk 110 has a central opening 112. A rubber suction cup 108 sized to be received and held by each central base stabilizing disk central opening 112 such that a suction cup 108 concave portion is disposed face down under each stabilizing disk 110. A detent pin 150 sized to be received within central stand dual side openings 116 and the hand-held handle proximal end aperture 28 is provided to securely lock the handle 20 into the base 100, FIG. 6. In this fashion, the base 100 can be secured to the bottom surface of a wash basin by the suction cups to support the free-standing reusable drinking straw wash assembly 12 in an orthogonal position to the wash basin bottom surface during reusable straw washing.

(28) A preferred embodiment of the free-standing assembled reusable drinking straw wash assembly, 12, provides a central stand 102 with a central opening centered on the bottom surface (not depicted) A rubber suction cup 108 sized to be received and held by central opening centered on the central stand 102 bottom surface such that a suction cup 108 concave portion is disposed face down under the central stand 108, FIGS. 5 and 6.

(29) A preferred embodiment of the assembled free-standing assembled reusable drinking straw wash assembly, 12, provides a detent pin 150 having a diameter of 6.5 mm, FIGS. 5 and 6.

(30) Thus, embodiments of the free-standing, reusable drinking straw wash tool assembly 12 can be secured to the bottom surface of a sink filled with hot water and a suitable cleaning solution. A curved reusable straw 210 or a straight reusable straw 200 is inserted onto the flexible central brush 120, FIGS. 2C and 6, into the guide element, and into the concentric external brush array in the handle element top element. As the reusable drinking straw 200 or 210 is forced along the flexible central brush 120 and through the guide element bore 56 the external brush 80 bristles contact and clean the external surface of the reusable drinking straw 200 or 210 aided by the pressure of the handle top element central bore 30 along the longitudinal axis 26 of the handle 20, FIGS. 1-2C, and 6.

(31) The respective straw is then retracted from the respective wash tool assembly, turned around and reinserted into the wash tool assembly in the same fashion. In this manner, the entire internal surface of the reusable drinking straw and three inches of each end of the external surface of the reusable drinking straw is scrubbed and cleaned. These areas of wash tool assembly cleaning are adequate to address a user's mouth and/or saliva contact points on the reusable drinking straw. The remaining external surface of the reusable drinking between the three inches on either end is typically cleaned by methods used for silverware, such as a dishwasher.

(32) The hand-held, reusable drinking straw wash tool assembly 10 embodiment achieves the same straw cleaning result by a user wearing rubber gloves submersing the reusable straw and assembly into a depth of hot water and cleaning solution after the straw has been inserted into the assembly in the similar manner as with the free-standing embodiment, FIGS. 1-2C.

(33) It would be understood by persons having ordinary skill in the art that portions of elements of the hand-held handle 10 embodiments of the assembled reusable drinking straw wash tool referred to as proximate could be referred to as bottom in embodiments of the assembled free-standing reusable drinking straw wash tool 12 that provide the free-standing base 100, FIGS. 5 and 6. Similarly, it would be understood by persons having ordinary skill in the art that portions of elements of the hand-held handle 10 embodiments of the assembled reusable drinking straw wash tool referred to as distal could be referred to as top in embodiments of the free-standing assembled drinking straw wash tool 12 that provide the free-standing base 100, FIGS. 5 and 6.