CLEANABLE STRAW

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a drinking straw may include a first part that includes a manual manipulation feature and a second part with an interior volume with an open side and at least one open end. The first part may be configured to be accepted into the interior volume and the manual manipulation feature of the first part may be configured to extend through at least one of the open side and open end.

Claims

1. A drinking straw, wherein the straw extends in longitudinal, lateral, and vertical directions, wherein longitudinal, lateral, and vertical directions are mutually orthogonal, wherein extension of the straw in the longitudinal direction defines a length of the straw, and extension of the straw in the lateral and vertical directions defines a diametrical cross section of the straw, wherein: a first part comprises a manual manipulation feature; and a second part comprises a cross sectional shape comprising a closed surface defining an interior volume with an open side and at least one open end, wherein the first part is configured to be accepted into the interior volume and the manual manipulation feature of the first part is configured to extend through at least one of the open side and open end.

2. The drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the first part comprises a first longitudinally separable part, and the second part comprises a second longitudinally separable part, wherein the first part and the second part join to form a tubular volume open at each end; and the manual manipulation feature comprises a protrusion extending radially outward from the first part, wherein the protrusion is configured to be grasped by a thumb and opposing finger of a user.

3. The straw of claim 2, wherein the protrusion comprises indentations to receive fingertips and the protrusion is configured to be pinched between the thumb and opposing finger of the user.

4. The straw of claim 2, wherein the protrusion is symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

5. The straw of claim 2, wherein the protrusion s configured such that the straw can be removed from a drink without the user touching a cylindrical body of the straw and wherein the protrusion is configured to prevent the straw from sliding through a lid of the drink.

6. The straw of claim 1, wherein the manual manipulation feature comprises a protrusion of the first part extending out of the open end of the enclosed volume of the second part.

7. The straw of claim 6, wherein the protrusion is configured to be manually manipulated to separate an end of first part and from an end of the second part.

8. A separable drinking straw comprising: a first part; a second part; wherein the first part and the second part are configured to join longitudinally to form an interior volume open at both ends, and wherein the first part comprises longitudinal edges and the second part comprises grooves on an interior surface of the second part, wherein the longitudinal edges of the first part engage with the grooves of the second part.

9. The drinking straw of claim 8, wherein longitudinal edges of the second part press on an exterior surface of the first part, thereby pressing the longitudinal edges of the first part into grooves of the second part.

10. The drinking straw of claim 8, wherein the second part comprises a cross section comprising a closed surface with an open side, the closed surface defining an interior volume, wherein the open side is configured to widen to accept the first part into the interior volume.

11. The drinking straw of claim 8, wherein the first part and the second part are configured to be joined by applying opposing pressure applied to an exterior of the straw, a first pressure on the first part and a second opposing pressure on the second part.

12. A tube comprising: a first part; a second part, wherein at least a portion of the first part is configured to slide within the second part; wherein at least one of the first part and second part comprises at least one stop, wherein the stop impedes relative motion between the first part and second part in at least one direction, wherein the tube is configured to separate along its length into the first part and second part.

13. The tube of claim 12, wherein the stop is configured to align the first part and the second part in a predetermined positional relationship.

14. The tube of claim 12, wherein the first part comprises an end and the second part comprises a cutout, wherein the cutout is configured to at least partially receive the end of the first part into an interior of the second part.

15. The tube of claim 14, wherein the first part is configured to move within the second part after entering the cutout until the first part engages with a stop in the second part.

16. The tube of claim 14, wherein the first part comprises an end, the end comprising a modification configured to provide deeper engagement of the end with an interior of the second part after entering the cutout.

17. The tube of claim 16, wherein the modification is configured to extend beyond an end of the second part when the first part is engaged with the stop on the second part, wherein modification is further configured to be a manually manipulable element to separate the first part and the second part.

18. The tube of claim 12, wherein the tube comprises a drinking straw.

19. The tube of claim 12, wherein the first part comprises longitudinal edges and the second part comprises grooves on an interior surface of the second part, wherein the longitudinal edges of the first part engage with the grooves of the second part.

20. The drinking straw of claim 19, wherein longitudinal edges of the second part press on an exterior surface of the first part, thereby pressing the longitudinal edges of the first part into grooves of the second part.

Description

[0023] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Reference will now be made to the figures wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present systems and methods. It will be apparent, however, that systems and methods may be practiced without these specific details. It is understood that the figures are diagrammatic and schematic representations of some embodiments of the invention, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale. Reference in the specification to an example or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least that one example, but not necessarily in other examples. Additionally, features shown and/or described in connection with one figure may be combined with features shown and/or described in connection with other figures.

[0025] Standard drinking straws are tubes that are used to suck liquid from a container into a user's mouth. Many drinking straws are designed to be thrown away after one use, which requires a user to purchase more straws and can contribute to wasting plastic. Reusable straws are a common alternative. While reusable straws can be used multiple times, residue from liquids can build up on the inside surfaces of the straw. This makes it desirable for reusable straws to be regularly cleaned. However, cleaning a reusable straw can be difficult because of the limited access a user has to the inside surfaces of the straw. Typically, the user must have special tools to clean a reusable straw, such as a bottle/straw brush or pipe cleaner. In addition, it is very difficult for a user to inspect the inside of the reusable straw to make sure that the straw is sufficiently clean. The interior of reusable straws cannot be effectively cleaned in a dishwasher or other automatic washing mechanism because the inside of the straw is so difficult to access.

[0026] The principles described herein relate to a wide range of tubes and/or cleanable straw configurations that can be split into two or more pieces to allow a user to thoroughly clean and inspect the inside surfaces of the tube/straw. The two pieces can then be reassembled so that the tube/straw can be reused.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment of a separable tube or straw (100). In this embodiment, the separable straw may include an outer piece (102) and an inner piece (104). The outer piece (102) may partially enclose the inner piece (104) to create a generally tubular space that can be used to suck liquid into the user's mouth or otherwise transport a liquid. The inner piece (104) and the outer piece (102) connect in such a way as to form a seal between the inner piece (104) and the outer piece (102). This seal minimizes air/liquid leaks along the length (142) of the straw (100) when it is being used. In general, the tube/straw (100) may extend in longitudinal, lateral, and vertical directions as shown in by the coordinate axes in FIG. 1. The longitudinal, lateral, and vertical directions are mutually orthogonal. The extension of the straw (100) in the longitudinal direction defines a length (142) of the straw and extension of the straw in the lateral and vertical directions defines a diametrical cross section (144, FIG. 8) of the straw. The tube/straw may include a first open end (148) and a second open end (150).

[0028] In this example, the tube/straw (100) also has a handle/tab/protrusion (112) extending from the inner piece (104). This handle/tab (112) could be used for a variety of purposes such as helping separate the inner piece (104) from the outer piece (102), for manipulation of the tube/straw (100) without touching a body of the tube/straw or could be used for aesthetic or other purposes. In this example, the outer piece (102) also has an insert cutout (108) which could be used to help a user insert the inner piece (104) into the outer piece (102) when reassembling the separable straw (100) after it has been separated for cleaning or inspection. The end of the inner piece has a extension (106) that may assist in the assembly and disassembly of the straw. Both the handle/tab/protrusion (112) and the extension (106) on the end of the inner piece are manually manipulable elements and protrusions from the inner piece.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a close-up view of a lower end of the illustrative separable straw (100). In this embodiment, the inner piece (104) has a manually manipulatable element/protrusion (106) that extends past the end (162) of the outer piece (102). This extension (106) can be used by a user to help separate the inner piece (104) and the outer piece (102) for cleaning or inspection purposes. For example, this extension (106) may provide a surface that the user could press against to separate the inner piece (104) from the outer piece (102). In this embodiment, the outer piece (102) also has a stopping structure (110) that stops the inner piece (104) from sliding too far beyond the end (162) of the outer piece (102) by contacting a corresponding surface on the inner piece (104). The cutout (108) in the outer piece (102) is also shown. The abrupt discontinuity in the angles of the extension (106) and the end (162) of the outer piece may provide for more secure manipulation by the user of the straw during the separation process. This is further illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11. The interior volume (126) of the straw is also shown. In general, this volume (126) is tubular and enclosed with two open ends.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the upper end of the separable straw (100) opposite the lower end shown in FIG. 2. As noted earlier, in this embodiment a handle/tab (112) may extend from the inner piece (104). This handle or tab is a protrusion from the inner piece and is a manually manipulable element because it is intended and configured for user interaction. Consequently, in the specification and appended claims the handle or tab may also be called by the more generic terms of protrusion or manually manipulable element. The terms protrusion or manually manipulable element may also be applied to the extension (106) from the end of the inner piece (104).

[0031] The handle/tab (112) could be used to help separate the inner piece (104) from the outer piece (102) for cleaning or inspection and/or to manipulate the straw (100) without touching the cylindrical body of the straw where the user's lips are placed when the straw is in use. In this example, the handle/tab includes indentations (113) on one or more sides to facilitate gripping of the tab by the user. This is further illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20.

[0032] The embodiment of the handle or tab shown is only one example. In alternative embodiments, the handle (112) could be connected to the outer piece (102) of the separable straw (100), or a handle could be attached to the inner piece and an additional handle could be connected to the outer piece. This could allow a user to push or pull the two handles away from or toward each other to assist in separating the inner piece (104) and outer piece (102) of the separable straw (100). The handle or handles could also be in different locations on the separable straw in different embodiments of the principles described herein.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a separable straw (100). As discussed above, the handle or tab (112) includes an indentation (113) or other feature that facilitates manual manipulation by the user. As discussed above and further described below, one embodiment of the handle or tab (112) may include indentations (113) to receive fingertips and the handle (112) is configured to be pinched between the thumb (134, FIG. 19) and opposing finger (132, FIG. 19) of the user.

[0034] For example, the handle or tab (112) could be any manually manipulable element that facilitates the desire motion or application of force. For example, the handle may be a series of features or textures on the outer surface of the straw. In this embodiment, the outer piece (102) has two grooves (114) which portions of the inner piece (104) mate with. These grooves (114) result in more surface area contact between the exterior surface of the inner piece (104) and the interior surfaces of the outer piece (102). This can create a better seal between the inner piece (104) and outer piece (102). In this example, the grooves (114) extend longitudinally down the whole length of the outer piece (102). The sealing features of the straw (100) and other elements are further described with reference to FIG. 8 which is a cross sectional diagram taken along section A-A as shown in the present figure.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a close-up view of one end of the separable straw (100). This drawing shows the cutout (108) in the outer piece (102). In some embodiments the cutout may be formed with tapers (109) or other contouring on the edges or corners of the cutout. These tapers (109) may serve a variety of purposes, including facilitating the insertion/reconnection of the inner piece (104) with the outer piece (102). This figure also shows the extension (106) extending beyond the end of the outer piece (102) of the straw.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a close-up view of end (148) of the separable straw (100) opposite to the end shown in FIG. 5. This figure shows a portion of the interior volume (126) of the straw visible through the open end (148) of the straw. As discussed above, the interior volume of the straw is a tubular volume, closed around the perimeter but open on each end. In this example, the interior of the straw has a different cross-sectional shape than the exterior of the straw. The interior shape/volume in this embodiment is irregular but may have any appropriate shape, including oval, ellipsoid or other shape. In this example, the grooves (114) and other features make the interior shape irregular due to increased combined wall thickness. The exterior profile formed from the exterior surfaces of the joined outer piece (102) and the inner piece (104) of the straw may also have a range of shapes and profiles.

[0037] In this example, the handle (112) is symmetrical about a plane (152) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (see FIG. 1, FIG. 8). FIG. 11 shows an additional view of the symmetry of the protrusion. FIG. 11 is a side view of the straw (100) that shows the plane (152) and the symmetry of handle (112).

[0038] FIG. 7 is a perspective view from the end (150) of the separable straw (100). This drawing is a perspective of the straw looking upward into the interior volume (126) of the straw from the end with the cutout (108). As previously described, the straw is formed from two parts that join together along the longitudinal length of the straw. In one embodiment, the drinking straw (100) may include a first part (104) that includes a first longitudinally separable part and a second part (102) includes a second longitudinally separable part, wherein the first part (104) and the second part (102) join to form a tubular volume (126) open at each end (148, FIG. 6; 150, FIG. 7); and the handle (112) includes a protrusion extending radially outward from the first part, wherein the handle is configured to be grasped by the thumb (134, FIG. 19) and opposing finger (132, FIG. 19) of a user.

[0039] Additionally, at least one groove (166) may be present where the first part and second part join. FIG. 7 shows a groove (166) between the first part (104) and second part (102). This groove may extend along a longitudinal length of the straw (100). An exterior surface of the first part and an exterior surface of the second part form a cross-section that may be disrupted by the at least one groove. The groove may or may not be straight. For example, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the groove is disrupted/curved due to the cutout (108), which disrupts the longitudinal edges (115) of the second part (102). The groove may include a space between an edge (115) of the second part (102) and a wall (168) on the first part (104).

[0040] The groove (166) may include a tapering gap, where the tapering gap is formed from a space between an edge of the second part and a protrusion on the first part. The groove may include a wider opening at the exterior of the straw and a narrowing gap along a radial axis from the center of the straw. The longitudinal length of the groove may include at least one nonlinear portion. In some embodiments, the straw may include two or more longitudinally extending grooves. These grooves may be formed by an interface between edges of the first part and one or more protrusions or walls of protrusions on the second part. These grooves may substantially disrupt a smooth cross-sectional shape of the exterior surface of the straw.

[0041] As discussed above, the first part (104) may include a protrusion (170) extending radially outward with the protrusion extending along its length and wherein the wall (168) is a side of the protrusion. The protrusion (170) may extend through an opening (130, FIG. 8) in the second part (102). The manual manipulation features (106, 112) may be a part of and extend from the protrusion (170) which passes along the length of the straw. The cross-section B-B defined in FIG. 7 is used in FIG. 15 to illustrate an interior of the straw and the interaction between the first part and second part. FIG. 7 also shows the stop (110).

[0042] FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of a separable straw (100) taken from the cross-section A-A in FIG. 4. In this figure, the outer piece (102) has two grooves (114). The longitudinal edges (116) of the inner piece (104) are designed to fit into the grooves (114) in such a way that they provide a substantially airtight seal between the inner piece (104) and the outer piece (102). In addition, the inside surfaces (122) of the outer piece (102) press down on the exterior surface (120) of the inner piece (104), pressing the inner piece (104) into the grooves (114). The inside surfaces (118) of the inner piece (104) press against the inside of the grooves (114), which helps create a seal between the inner piece (104) and the outer piece (102). This pressure from the outer piece pushing the inner piece into the grooves and the opposing pressure from the grooves on the inner piece hold the inner piece firmly in place and prevent air from leaking into the straw when it is being used. In alternative embodiments, the outer piece could have only a single groove, or more than two grooves. In addition, the inner piece could also have a groove that mates with the groove in the outer piece to provide a better seal. In another example, the inner piece could have an additional geometry or geometries that would allow it to fit tightly into a groove or grooves in the outer piece. In another example, the inner piece could have one groove that goes along the length of one side of the straw and the outer piece could have another groove that goes along the length of the other side of the straw. In this example, the outer piece would fit into the groove on the inner piece on one side of the straw, and the inner piece would fit into the groove on the outer piece on the other side of the straw.

[0043] In one example, a drinking straw (100) may extend in the longitudinal, lateral, and vertical directions as shown in the coordinate axes in FIG. 8. In this example, the coordinate axes are centered along a center line of the straw (100). The longitudinal, lateral, and vertical directions are mutually orthogonal. The straw extends in the longitudinal direction to define a length of the straw and extension of the straw in the lateral and vertical directions defines a diametrical cross section of the straw. Where the coordinate axes are in the centerline of the straw, the vertical and lateral directions are both radial directions. In this example, the inner piece may be called a first part that includes at least one manual manipulation feature such as the tab/protrusion (112) or the extension (106). The outer piece (102) may be called a second part. The second part (102) may include a cross sectional shape that includes a closed surface (164) defining an interior volume (126) with an open side and at least one open end, wherein the first part is configured to be accepted into the interior volume and the manual manipulation feature of the first part is configured to extend through one of the open side and open end. For example, the handle (112) extends through the open side and the extension (106) extends through the open end.

[0044] Thus in one embodiment, the straw may include a first part (104) that includes at least one manual manipulation feature (106, FIG. 1; 112) and a second part (102) that includes a cross sectional shape (146) comprising a closed surface (164) defining an interior volume (126) with an open side (130) and at least one open end (148, 150), wherein the first part (104) is configured to be accepted into the interior volume (126) and the manual manipulation feature (106, 112) of the first part (104) is configured to extend through at least one of the open side (130, FIG. 8) and open end (148, FIG. 6; 150, FIG. 7).

[0045] In one embodiment, a separable drinking straw (100) may include a first part (104) and a second part (102). The first part (104) and the second part (102) may be configured to join longitudinally to form an interior volume (126) open at both ends. The first part (104) may include longitudinal edges (116) and the second part (102) may include grooves (114) on an interior surface (122) of the second part (102). The longitudinal edges (116) of the first part (104) may engage with the grooves (114) of the second part (102). The longitudinal edges (115) of the second part (102) may press on an exterior surface (120) of the first part (104), thereby pressing the longitudinal edges (116) of the first part (104) into grooves (114) of the second part (102).

[0046] The second part (102) may include a cross section (146) that includes a closed surface (164) with an open side (130). The closed surface (164) may include an interior volume (126), wherein the open side (130) is configured to widen to accept the first part (104) into the interior volume (126).

[0047] There may be any number of other features included in the straw. For example in this embodiment, there is an indentation/groove(s) (172) along one or more of the inner wall of the outer piece. This indentation may serve any of a number of functions, including providing clearance for features/separation lines on the inner piece, providing a sealing area that liquids can migrate into by capillary action, or other function. FIG. 8 also shows the diametrical cross section (144), the wall (168) on the side of the protrusion, and a tapering exterior groove (166).

[0048] FIG. 9 is a side view of one end of a separable straw (100). In this embodiment, the inner piece (104) has an extension (106) extending from the end of the inner piece (104). In addition, the outer piece (102) also has an extension (107) extending from the end of the outer piece (102). These two manually manipulatable elements (106, 107) can be used by a user to separate the inner piece (104) and the outer piece (102) for cleaning or inspection. In one example, the user exerts pressure on the inside of the extensions (106, 107) and pushes them away from each other, thus separating the inner piece (104) and the outer piece (102).

[0049] FIG. 10 shows an additional embodiment, where only the inner piece (104) has an extension (106) extending from its end (150). When a user is separating the two pieces of the straw, it is sometimes easier to exert pressure on the inner piece instead of the outer piece. Having an extension extend from only the inner piece could show the user that he or she should exert pressure on only the inner piece of the straw.

[0050] Thus in one example, the extension (106) of the first part (104) may extend out of an open end (148, FIG. 6; 150) of the enclosed volume (126) of the second part. The extension (106) may be configured to be manually manipulated to separate the end of the first part (104) and from the end of the second part (102).

[0051] FIG. 11 shows a user separating the inner piece (104) from the outer piece (102) of the straw (100) at one end (150). In this embodiment, a user places his or her thumb (134) somewhere on the middle of the inner piece (104), and then uses a different finger (132) to exert pressure on the extension (106) and pull the inner piece (104) out of the outer piece (102). This can be performed using one hand (124) or two hands, where the other hand can stabilize the straw. Also shown in the figure are the cutout (108) along the edges of the outer piece, the tab (112), and the plane of symmetry (152). The symmetry of the tab (112) is clearly shown on either side of the plane.

[0052] FIGS. 12, 13, 14A and 14B are illustrative examples of steps that can be used to assemble the straw (100). FIG. 12 shows the first step of reassembling a separable straw (100) after it has been separated for cleaning and/or inspection purposes. First, a user inserts the end of the inner piece (104) into the insert cutout (108) on the outer piece (102). Because the sides of the insert cutout (108) are not as high as the rest of the outer piece (102), it provides a wider opening through which it is easier to insert the end of the inner piece (104) into the outer piece (102). In addition, the insert cutout (108) could be tapered along the sides so that there are no sharp corners that the inner piece (104) could catch on when it is being inserted into the outer piece (102) or being reassembled. In other embodiments, the insert cutout (108) could be any shape, including rectangular, square, or semi-circular. FIG. 12 also shows the recess (128) that mates with the stop in the outer piece (102) and the manually manipulatable extensions (106, 107).

[0053] FIG. 13 shows the next illustrative step in reassembling the straw (100). The user slides the inner piece (104) towards the end of the outer piece (102) until the inner piece (104) contacts the stopping structure (110, FIG. 1; FIG. 15) in the outer piece (102). The stopping structure (110, FIG. 1) allows the user to easily align the ends of the inner piece (104) and the outer piece (102) and prevents the inner piece (104) from sliding too far past the end of the outer piece (102).

[0054] FIG. 14A shows the next illustrative step in reassembling a separable straw (100). The user exerts pressure (156, 158) on the inner piece (104), pushing it down into the outer piece (102), beginning at the end where the inner piece (104) and the outer piece (102) are already together. FIG. 14B shows that the pressure (156, 158) continues to be applied up the length of the separable straw until the inner piece (104) and the outer piece (102) are fully reassembled. Thus, the first part (104) and the second part (102) are configured to be joined by applying opposing pressure (156, 158) applied to an exterior of the straw with a first pressure (156) on the first part (104) and a second opposing pressure (158) on the second part (102).

[0055] In alternative embodiments, the straw could be reassembled without an insert cutout (108, FIG. 12-14B) and/or without a stopping structure (110, FIG. 1). In addition, the straw could be configured with other geometries, shapes and pieces that facilitate reassembly. For example, the straw may slide together rather than snap together. Additionally or alternatively, the straw may include hinges (such as living hinges) that allow the straw to be opened longitudinally or laterally while keeping the pieces of the straw connected. There may be any number of latching or sealing mechanisms that seal the straw together. For example, the straw may be held together by a ramp that snaps into a receiving slot, bracket or loop.

[0056] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken from the cross-section B-B in FIG. 8. It shows a stopping structure (110) at the end of the groove (114) on the outer piece (102). This stopping structure (110) contacts a small cutout (128) on the inner piece (104) that stops the inner piece (104) from sliding too far past the end of the outer piece (102). As the straw (100) is being reassembled, a user slides an end (106,160) of the inner piece (104) into the cutout (108) and pushes it towards the end of the outer piece (102) until the stopping structure (110) on the outer piece (102) contacts the mating recess (128) on the inside piece (104) and prevents the inside piece (104) from sliding too far beyond the end of the outer piece (102). This allows the user to easily align the inner piece (104) and outer piece (102) when reassembling the separable straw (100) after cleaning or inspection. In alternative embodiments, the stopping structure (110) could take a variety of forms. One example could include a ring at the end of the outer piece that stops the inner piece from sliding past the end of the outer piece. The inner piece may or may not include a mating recess or other specialized feature. For example, the end of the inner piece may be flat or uniformly angled. This surface may contact any of a variety of stops on the outer piece. Additionally or alternatively, the stop may be on the inner piece and the mating surface may be on the outer piece.

[0057] Also shown in this figure are the cutout (108) in the longitudinal edge of the outer piece, the groove (114) shown as a dashed line. The stop (110) in this embodiment is a blockage of the groove (114) so that the edges (116) of the first piece encounter the stop. In this case, the ends of the edges of the first piece are modified to better mate with the stop (110) by putting the small cutout/mating recess (128) in the edges. The cross sectional view also shows the protrusions/manually manipulable elements (106, 107) on the end of the straw together with the angle/taper (160).

[0058] FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 are further illustrations of how a user can reassemble the separable straw after it has been separated for cleaning or inspection. After the end of the inner piece (104) has been inserted at the insert cutout (108) and slid down to line up with the end of the outer piece (102), as shown in FIG. 15, a user grasps the end of the separable straw (100) with one hand (121) and presses the inner piece (104) and the outer piece (102) together with the other hand (124), starting at or before the insert cutout (108), as shown in FIG. 16. In this example, the user presses the straw together using opposing fingers (132, 134) at or near the cutout (108). This starts to push the inner piece (104) into the outer piece (102). The user then slides his fingers down the length of the straw (100), pushing the inner piece (104) and the outer piece (102) together as they go, as seen in FIGS. 17 and 18. This results in the inner piece (104) and the outer piece (102) being fully connected along the length of the straw (100) as shown in FIG. 18. Also shown in these figures is the tap/protrusion (112), which may or may not be part of the assembly process. In these examples the tab may not be used, but in embodiments where more sliding or alignment of the straws is performed, various embodiments of the tab(s) may play a bigger role in the assembly of the product.

[0059] FIG. 19 shows a user grasping a protrusion (112) on the straw (100) with his thumb and forefinger. As discussed above and further described below, one embodiment of the protrusion (112) may include indentations (113) to receive fingertips and the protrusion (112) is configured to be pinched between the thumb (134, FIG. 19) and opposing finger (132, FIG. 19) of the user. As noted earlier, in this embodiment a handle or tab (112) may extend from the inner piece (104) that could be used to help separate the inner piece (104) from the outer piece (104) for cleaning or inspection and/or to manipulate the straw without touching the cylindrical body of the straw where the user's lips are placed when the straw is in use. In this example, the cylindrical body of the straw includes outer surfaces of the outer piece (102) and inner piece (104) but do not include surfaces of the tab/protrusion (112).

[0060] FIG. 20 shows a user grasping a handle/protrusion (112) on the straw (100) to remove the straw from a drinking container. In this example, the handle (112) may be configured such that the straw (100) can be removed from a drink/bottle (138) without the user touching a cylindrical body (154) of the straw. Additionally, the handle may prevent or impede the straw from sliding through an opening (140) in the lid (136) of the drink. This may be desirable to prevent the straw from falling out when the lid is removed from the drink (138).

[0061] Thus, according to the principles described herein, a tube or straw (100) may include a first part (104) and a second part (102) and at least a portion of the first part (104) may be configured to slide within the second part (102). At least one of the first part (104) and second part (102) may include at least one stop (110), wherein the stop (110) may impede the first part (104) from sliding within the second part (102) in at least one direction. The tube (100) may be configured to separate along its length into the first part (104) and second part (102). In some embodiments, the stop (110) may be configured to align the first part (104) and the second part (102) in a predetermined positional relationship.

[0062] The first part (104) may include an end (106) and the second part (102) may include a feature to facilitate joining the end of the first part to the second part. For example, there may be a cutout (108) in the second part (102) that is configured to at least partially receive the end (106) of the first part (104) into an interior of the second part (102). In some embodiments, the cutout (108) may be in the longitudinal edges (115) of the straw and widen the open side of the to allow the end of the first part to more easily enter the interior volume (126).

[0063] The first part (104) may include an end (106) which may have a modification (160) configured to allow it to more fully engage with an interior space of the second part (102) after entering the cutout (108). This modification may take a variety of forms. For example, the end (106) may be specifically shaped to facilitate joining the first part to the second part. In one example, the end may be tapered or angled to progressively reduce the cross sectional area of the end. In some examples, this may be accomplished by tapering/angling the longitudinal edges (116) of the first part. This may be accomplished in a variety of ways. Other modifications to the two parts may also be present to facilitate the joining of the two parts. For example, there may be one or more hinges or latches along one side of the two parts.

[0064] The first part (104) may be configured to move within the second part (102) after entering the cutout (108). This motion could occur by sliding, snapping, or other motions. The motion could be arrested and/or the first part could be positioned with respect to the second part in a variety of ways. For example, the motion could be restricted when an end (106) of the first part (104) engages with a stop (110) in the second part (102). In the examples, shown above, the stop is located in the grooves in the interior of the second part/outer piece. However, the stop could be located in a variety of locations and places. For example, the stop may be located on the first part. In some embodiments, the stop may be on an end of the first part and engage with the end of the second part to arrest relative motion of the two parts with respect to each other.

[0065] The modification to the first part could also be configured to facilitate one or more additional functions. For example, the modification could be configured to extend beyond an end (162) of the second part (102) when the first part (104) is engaged with the stop (110) on the second part (102). Several illustrative examples of this modification are shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 9-11. The modification may be configured to be a manually manipulable element to separate the first part (104) and the second part (106) as shown in FIG. 11.

[0066] The tube/straw described above may have a variety of configurations that are useful where a tube may need to be opened/closed, assembled/reassembled, and/or cleaned. For example, any time a tube needs to be cleaned or joined to other pieces it may be useful for the tube to separate into two pieces. For example, it may be useful for a drinking tube of a hydration pack to separate for cleaning or it may be useful or tube that is an integral part of a drinking cup to separate from other components and open to be cleaned. The figures above illustrate one embodiment of this tube where the tube is a drinking straw that can be used with a variety of different liquid containers and pass through their lids. The straw shown could have a variety of lengths, diameters, and configurations to facilitate use with a range of containers and liquids. For example, longer straws may be better adapted for use with taller containers. Shorter straws could be used with shorter containers and larger diameter straws could be used for shakes, boba drinks, bubble tea, drinks that are thicker or have larger chunks, etc. Smaller diameter straws or straws with multiple tubular openings may be useful for drinks that are thinner and/or hot drinks that may need to cool or be taken in smaller or more controlled amounts into the user's mouth.

[0067] As discussed above, the first part (104) may seal to the second part in a variety of ways. For example, the first part may include longitudinal edges (116) and the second part (102) may include a matching feature such as grooves (114). These grooves may be on an interior surface (122) of the second part (102), with the longitudinal edges (116) of the first part (104) engaging with the grooves (114) of the second part (102).

[0068] At least one of the first part and second part may include a tab, where the tab may include an outwardly extending shape configured to be grasped between a thumb and forefinger of a user. In one example, the second part may include an outer piece defining a partially enclosed volume and the first part may include an inner piece that fits into the outer piece. At least one groove may be disposed in an interior of the outer piece and may be configured to receive a longitudinal edge of the inner piece. An inner surface of the outer piece presses on an outer surface of the inner piece and presses the longitudinal edge of the inner piece into the groove. As discussed above, the straw may also include a stop. The stop may be configured to align the first part and second part in a predetermined position.

[0069] In another embodiment, a drinking straw may include a first part and a second part, where the first part and second part may join to form an enclosed volume that is open on at least two ends. At least one first part and the second part may include a protrusion extending along a longitudinal length of the straw. The second part may include an outer piece defining a partially enclosed volume and a longitudinally extending opening into the partially enclosed volume and the first part may be an inner piece that fits into the outer piece with the protrusion extending radially outward through the opening. The protrusion may include at least one wall extending outward. In some embodiments, this wall may extend longitudinally along a length of the straw. There may be a gap between an edge of one piece and the wall and the protrusion may include at least one tab extending radially outward. The tab may include a symmetrical profile along a longitudinal cross-section and may be configured to be grasped between a thumb and the forefinger of a user.

[0070] A method for assembling a separable straw may include sliding a first piece into a second piece in a longitudinal direction to partially join the first piece and the second piece. The first piece and second piece can be vertically pressed together to at least partially join the first piece and second piece.

[0071] The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe examples of the principles and features described. This description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit these principles to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.