STRAW APPARATUS

A straw apparatus comprising separable straw sections, wherein the separable straw sections comprise a closure mechanism or structure and are identical; the closure mechanism or structure may comprise a female-type closure profile and a male-type closure profile.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a straw apparatus, in particular, to a straw apparatus comprising identical half-straw sections.

BACKGROUND

As used herein, a “straw” is a hollow conduit that is longer in length than it is across a top of the conduit. Straws are often used to consume liquids. Historically, straws have been made from plant stems, paper, plastic, glass, and metal.

Human consumers (collectively referred to herein as, “consumers”) of liquid or fluid (collectively referred to herein as, “beverage”) sometimes use a straw to consumer a beverage. The reasons for this may range from aesthetic, such as a straw used by a partygoer to consume a cocktail, to practical, such as a straw used by a person in a reclined or semi-reclined position, such as a laying person, to consume a beverage from a cup or glass.

However, plastic straws are seldom reused. Typically, plastic straws are used once, then discarded.

Alternatives to disposable plastic straws including, for example, disposable paper straws, disposable straws made out of a “compostable” or “biodegradable” material, straws made out of a “recyclable” material (though many “biodegradable” and “recyclable” materials have shortcomings), and reusable straws made out of a material which may be washed. Examples of materials use to make reusable straws include stainless steel, glass, bamboo, and wood straws, all of which are generally rigid. Many reusable straws are sold with brushes that are intended to be used to brush the interior of the straw during a cleaning process. Such brushes highlight that merely washing a reusable straw in a dish washing machine may not clean the interior of the straw, but that it may be necessary or desirable to clean the interior of the straw with a brush. Cleaning a straw with a brush requires time and work and the brush should also be cleaned and stored.

Alternatives to disposable straws also include a straw apparatus which comprise two non-identical sections, in other words, a first non-identical section, section A, which is different from a second non-identical section, section B. However, because they are different, section A and section B must be kept and used together. In other words, two section A's may not be joined to form a straw apparatus; section A must be joined to a section B to form a straw apparatus. Consequently the two non-identical sections must be kept together in order to form straws, in order to reduce effort expended in matching the two sections during the straw assembly process, and to reduce waste which may occur when two matching sections are not found together during the straw assembly process (“mis-match waste”).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Following are defined terms in this document.

As used herein, the term “parallel projection” refers to projection of an object in three-dimensional space onto a fixed two-dimensional plane, known as a projection plane or image plane, where rays, known as lines of sight or projection lines, are parallel to each other.

As used herein, the term “perspective projection” refers to projection of an object in three-dimensional space onto a fixed two-dimensional plane, known as a projection plane or image plane, where rays, lines of sight, or projection lines, converge toward a “vanishing point”.

As used herein, the term, “isomorphic projection” refers to a projection, in which three coordinate axes of three-dimensional space appear in the image plane to be equally foreshortened and the angle between any two of them is 120 degrees.

As used herein, “occlude” means to stop, close up, or obstruct an opening, orifice, channel, or passage.

As used herein, “distal” describes an element which is further from a center or central axis of an assembled straw apparatus.

As used herein, “proximal” describes an element which is closer to a center or central axis of an assembled straw apparatus.

Singular references herein to one element in the drawings or to any object or noun shall be understood to refer to one or more unless the context makes clear otherwise. When an element in the drawings is followed by a letter, as in, “105A” and “105B”, the two elements are meant to be physically identical, though their configuration or arrangement may be different.

As used herein, a “trapezoid” is a quadrilateral with one pair of parallel sides.

As used herein, an “isosceles trapezoid” is a trapezoid in which two base angles and two side lengths are equal and in which two end lengths are not equal.

When lengths or other dimensions are discussed herein, all such lengths or other dimensions shall be understood to be nominal values, within expected or normal manufacturing ranges.

In overview, this disclosure relates to a straw apparatus. The straw apparatus may be separated into two sections; each such section is referred to herein as a “separable straw section”. The separable straw sections may be washed, such as when they are separated. The separate straw sections are identical.

A first separable straw section may be joined to a second separable straw section by a closure mechanism. The closure mechanism may be integrated into the separable straw section. The closure mechanism may comprise interlocking members. The interlocking members may have cross-section closure profiles comprising a female-type closure profile and a male-type closure profile.

The female-type closure profile may also be referred to as a clasp; the female-type closure profile may be described herein as comprising a female interlocking member or clasp cavity and a female seal face, wherein the female seal face comprises a distal female seal face and a proximal female seal face, wherein the female seal faces are separated by the female interlocking member or clasp cavity.

The male-type closure profile may be described herein as comprising a male interlocking member or protuberance, and a male seal face, wherein the male seal face comprises a distal male seal face and a proximal male seal face, wherein the male seal faces are separated by the male interlocking member.

The female and male seal faces may, though do not have to, lie on a common plane; the female and male seal faces on a separable straw section may be separated by a passage. The passage between the female and male seal faces on the separable straw section may be “U” shaped or another shape which, when sealed to a mirror image of itself in the straw apparatus assembly process, forms a central channel through which fluid may be drawn. A round channel may have hydrodynamic properties which make it beneficial for a straw apparatus, though a round channel is not necessary.

The male interlocking member or protuberance may fit within and occlude the female interlocking member or clasp cavity. The female interlocking member or clasp cavity may be larger than the male interlocking member or protuberance. The separable straw sections may be formed of a flexible material, such as silicone with a Shore hardness, such as between 60 and 70 for silicone. Other flexible materials may be used, such as urethane, rubber, or the like. The material and Shore hardness thereof may be selected such that the male interlocking member may be repeatedly inserted within or removed from the female interlocking member, without breaking or tearing of either of the interlocking members and such that the deformations which may occur during the insertion process may relax without ejecting the male interlocking member from the female interlocking member and without distorting the seal faces.

When viewed from above, down a y-axis, a first separable straw section may be rotated one-hundred and eighty degrees around the y-axis relative to a second separable straw section, such that the female interlocking member of the first separable straw section aligns with the male interlocking member of the second separable straw section. When aligned, during a straw assembly process, the first and second separable straw sections may be squeezed or pinched together, such as by human fingers, such that the male interlocking member of one separable straw section occludes the female interlocking member of the other.

When the closure mechanism of two separable straw sections is locked or secured, the female seal faces of one separate straw section are held against the corresponding male seal faces of the other separable straw section, sealing the passages of the two separable straw sections together, forming a channel within the assembled straw apparatus and a seam between the separable straw sections. The seal created by the closure mechanism of the separable straw sections may allow a human to draw a low pressure area at one end of an assembled straw apparatus, drawing a fluid or liquid into and up the channel of the assembled straw section. Leakage of air along the length of seams of the closure mechanism may occur, though may be tolerable or desirable by users and may nonetheless allow a fluid to be drawn up the channel into a mouth of the user.

Unlike prior art in which separable straw sections of a straw apparatus are different from one another, the separable straw sections disclosed herein may be identical, which allows assembly of a straw apparatus from such separable straw sections without regard to whether the separable straw sections are compatible with one another. Use of identical separable straw sections also allows two differently colored and or patterned separable straw sections to be used together and interchangeably in straw apparatuses, providing aesthetic or information transmission functions to the disclosed straw apparatus.

In this way, a straw apparatus comprised of a first separable straw section and a second separable straw section may be separated into separate separable straw sections, the separable straw sections may be washed or otherwise handled separately, the separated separable straw sections may be closed via a closure mechanism which is easy to use, and wherein the separable sections are identical and may be used without regard to whether the separable straw sections are compatible with one another.

FIG. 1is a top perspective projection of a straw apparatus100incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments. Straw apparatus100comprises a first separable straw section105A and a second separable straw section105B. The first and second separable straw sections105are identical. When viewed from above down the y-axis, one of the first and second separate straw sections105may be rotated, one relative to the other, by one-hundred and eighty degrees around the y-axis. The first and second separable straw sections105may be joined by a closure mechanism126. When joined, as inFIG. 1, straw apparatus100comprises channel120. Channel120may be a width or diameter of a standard straw; for example, channel120may have a diameter of 3 to 15 mm. Separable straw section105A comprises channel face110A and external face115A; separable straw section105B comprises channel face110B and external face115B. Straw apparatus100further comprises seam117, where separable straw sections105A and105B contact one another and form a seal.

FIG. 2is a top perspective projection of separable straw section105, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments. Separable straw section105comprises female interlocking member130and male interlocking member135; together, the interlocking members form the closure mechanism. Separable straw section105may have separable straw section length125. For example, separable straw length125may be approximately 100 mm to 260 mm; however, separable straw section length may be much longer, for example, on the order of 1300 mm, for example, when straw apparatus100is used to draw liquid from a water bladder. It is very difficult to clean a conventional tube which may span between a water bladder and a consumer.

FIG. 3is a parallel projection of a plan view of an end of a separable straw section105, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments. In the example embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3, separable straw section105is illustrated as comprising female-type closure profile160and male-type closure profile150. Between ends of the closure profiles, separable straw section105comprises an example of passage199. Passage199may have another shape, such as a half-oval or another shape.

Within female-type closure profile160, separable straw section105comprises female interlocking member distal seal face170and female interlocking member proximal seal face175, which, together, may be referred to herein as, “female seal faces”. Also within female-type closure profile160, separable straw section105comprises female interlocking member internal terminus180. Spanning between female interlocking member internal terminus180and the female seal faces170and175are illustrated examples of female interlocking member internal distal wall185and female interlocking member internal proximal wall190. As illustrated in this example, an approximate isosceles trapezoid is formed between female interlocking member internal distal wall185, female interlocking member internal proximal wall190, female interlocking member internal terminus180, and an imaginary line (not illustrated) between ends of female seal faces170and175; however, it is not necessary that these structures form an isosceles trapezoid. Another shape, for example, one comprising a cavity that may be occluded by a male-type member and which may apply a clamping force on such male-type member may be used.

Within male-type closure profile150, separable straw section105comprises male interlocking member distal seal face203and male interlocking member proximal seal face201, which, together, may be referred to herein as, “male seal faces”. Also within male-type closure profile150, separable straw section105comprises male interlocking member terminus195. Spanning between male interlocking member terminus195and the male seal faces201and203are illustrated examples of male interlocking member distal wall205and male interlocking member proximal wall200. As illustrated in this example, an approximate isosceles trapezoid is formed between male interlocking member distal wall205, male interlocking member proximal wall200, male interlocking member terminus195, and an imaginary line (not illustrated) between ends of male seal faces201and203; however, it is not necessary that these structures form an isosceles trapezoid. Another shape comprising a protuberance that may occlude a female-type member, and which may be subject to a clamping force from a female-type member may be used.

FIG. 4is the parallel projection of the plan view of the end of separable straw section105ofFIG. 3with additional elements identified, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments. A reader may switch betweenFIGS. 3 and 4, viewing one full page at a time, to see commonalities between these Figures. InFIG. 4, male interlocking member terminus195, which may also be referred to herein as, “protuberance maximum span”, is illustrated as having length196while an imaginary line (not illustrated) between male seal faces201and203, which may also be referred to herein as, “protuberance minimum span”, is illustrated as having length197. InFIG. 4, female interlocking member internal terminus180, which may also be referred to herein as, “clasp maximum span”, is illustrated as having length181while an imaginary line (not illustrated) between female seal faces170and175, which may also be referred to herein as, “clasp minimum span”, is illustrated as having length182. Length197of protuberance minimum span may be selected, according to, for example, a material of separable straw section105, such as silicone, and a Shore hardness of such material, such as between 60 and 70, to provide a strength of male interlocking member such that male interlocking member may be repeatedly inserted into and withdrawn from female interlocking member, resisting clamping force from female interlocking member, without tearing or separating from separable straw section105. In the example illustratedFIG. 4, length197may be on the order of, for example, 1 mm.

FIG. 5is a parallel projection of a plan view of a separable straw100, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments. Separable straw100comprises separable straw sections105A and105B, discussed elsewhere herein. InFIG. 5, protuberance maximum span length196is illustrated as fitting within the larger space of clasp maximum span length181. InFIG. 5, protuberance minimum span length197is illustrated as fitting within the larger space of clasp minimum span length182.

As illustrated in these examples, the difference between length197and length182, and between length196and length181, may be, for example, 0.005 mm. When the male interlocking member or protuberance is inserted within the female interlocking member or clasp, this difference allows the protuberance to remain with the clasp, not be ejected by the clasp, and not distort the walls of the clasp. For example, if an insufficient amount of room is provided, protuberance may distort within or when inserted into clasp, such as due to folding back of edges of protuberance or other deformation of protuberance, and/or clasp may distort around protuberance. Distortion of clasp and/or protuberance may result in protuberance occupying an excessive volume within clasp, distortion of clasp, distortion of clasp resulting in interference with formation of a seal between the seal faces, and/or distortion of protuberance may result in protuberance backing out of or being ejected from clasp, such as when the distortions relax.

FIG. 6is the parallel projection of the plan view of the end of separable straw section105ofFIG. 3with additional elements identified, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments. In the example illustrated inFIG. 6, female seal face is of length220; female distal seal face is of length210; and female proximal seal face215is of length215. In the example illustrated inFIG. 6, male seal face is of length225; male distal seal face is of length235; and male proximal seal face is of length230. Female seal face length220may be equal to male seal face length225. In the example illustrated inFIG. 6, the distal and proximal seal faces are not equal, though, in another embodiment, they may be.

FIG. 7is the parallel projection of the plan view of the end of separable straw section105ofFIG. 3with additional elements identified, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments. In the example illustrated inFIG. 7, female-type closure profile160comprises clasp distal finger240and clasp proximal finger245. Clasp distal finger240and clasp proximal finger245may provide clasp force250, resisting deformation of female-type closure profile160when, for example, male interlocking member or protuberance135is inserted into female interlocking member or clasp cavity130. Clasp force250may hold an inserted male interlocking member or protuberance135within female interlocking member or clasp cavity130.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 7, male interlocking member or protuberance135may provide protuberance expansion force255. Protuberance expansion force255may resist deformation of male interlocking member or protuberance135when male interlocking member or protuberance135is inserted into female interlocking member or clasp cavity130.

FIG. 8is the parallel projection of the plan view of the end of separable straw section105ofFIG. 3with additional elements identified, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments. In the example illustrated inFIG. 8, clasp distal finger240is of length260and clasp proximal finger245is of length265. Lengths260and265may be selected according to a material or materials of separable straw section105, such as, for example, silicone, and according to a Shore hardness of such material, for example, 60 to 70, to provide clasp force250and to resist tearing or breaking when male interlocking member135is repeatedly inserted and withdrawn from female interlocking member or clasp cavity130.

FIG. 9is a parallel projection of a front elevation view along a z-axis of separable straw section105, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 10is a parallel projection of a right elevation view along an x-axis of separable straw section105, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 11is a parallel projection of a left elevation view along a z-axis of separable straw section105, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 12is a parallel projection of a back elevation view along an x-axis of separable straw section105, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 13is a perspective projection of a top isomorphic view of separable straw section150with shading, incorporated with teachings of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments.