Recyclable Compostable Disposable Straws Fabricated From Rapidly Renewable Resources

Abstract

The invention provides improved straws, which are formed from paperboard sheets comprised of rapidly renewable resources and are recyclable, biodegradable and compostable. The paperboard sheets are comprised of bamboo, bagasse, reed or any combination or singularity thereof.

Claims

1. Recyclable, disposable, biodegradable and compostable paper straw comprising paperboard sheets which are composed of rapidly renewable resources such as bagasse, bamboo, reed or any combination thereof, and excluding any recycled materials and wood pulp.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The foregoing features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and with reference to the following drawing.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a straw.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] This description of the preferred embodiment is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. In the description, relative terms such as lower, upper, horizontal, vertical, above, below, up, down, top and bottom, under, as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., horizontally, downwardly, upwardly, underside, etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawings under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms such as connected, connecting, attached, attaching, joined, and joining are used interchangeably and refer to one structure or surface being secured to another structure or surface or integrally fabricated in one piece unless expressly described otherwise.

[0013] As used herein, the term compostable refers to a substance that (1) breaks down at essentially the same rate as commonly found paper would under similar circumstances; (2) disintegrates in the compost over time; and (3) does not produce any toxic material such that the compost cannot support plant growth.

[0014] As used herein, the term biodegradable means a substance or object which is capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms.

[0015] As used herein, the term rapidly renewable resource, refers to resources derived from plant materials which grow abundantly or more rapidly than trees, and include such plant materials as bamboo, reed or bagasse.

[0016] As used herein, the term recycled materials, refers to waste products which have been treated or processed so as to make them suitable for a particular reuse, whereas recyclable material, as used herein, shall mean products which are capable of being treated or processed so as to make them suitable for a particular reuse.

[0017] The term straws as used herein, refers to straws of varying sizes and dimensions.

[0018] Recyclable, disposable, biodegradable straws comprising paperboard sheets which are composed of rapidly renewable resources, straws are depicted in FIG. 1.

[0019] As should be clear from the foregoing, the use of recyclable, biodegradable, cornpostable materials made from specific rapidly renewable resources, those being bagasse, reed, bamboo or any combination or singularity thereof.

[0020] Many recycled paper products include trace levels of bisphenol A (BPA) or other chemicals used in the inks or coatings on the paper which is recycled. Thus, when recycled paper is used as a source material, care should be taken to encapsulate or remove such chemicals so unsafe levels are not consumed. Removal may add to cost and encapsulation may add to cost or inhibit biodegradability and compostability. These types of problems can be avoided by using virgin paper products made from plants having a short growing cycle which do not contain such harmful chemicals.

[0021] The foregoing description is intended to explain the various features and advantages, but is not intended to be limiting. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims which are also intended to cover a reasonable range of equivalents.