Patent Publication Number: US-2022218135-A1

Title: System and method for making an ice straw

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/848,963, filed May 16, 2019, and entitled “System and Method for Making an Ice Straw.” 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Studies have shown that, in the United States alone, over five hundred million drinking straws are used in a single day. Moreover, other studies have shown that over eight billion plastic drinking straws currently pollute the world&#39;s beaches. 
     Some studies have suggested that plastic drinking straws be replaced with paper drinking straws. However, such a replacement merely substitutes one environmentally adverse, single use item with another environmentally adverse, single use item. For example, the environmental impact of paper drinking straws includes cutting down trees, pulping and pressing the derived tree product into a tube, then using fossil fuels to ship the paper drinking straws to users across the country. What is needed is a more environmentally friendly device, and method of making such a device, which can help reduce the levels of plastic pollution around the world, as well as reduce the need to utilize non-renewable resources, for allowing users to enjoy drinking (and cooling) their beverages. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Various embodiments relate generally to forming a degradable drinking straw from renewable resources, e.g., water, wherein the renewable resource is cooled to, or below, its freezing point while comprising a fluid conduit which allows for the passage, and cooling, of a fluid from one end of the degradable drinking straw to its other end. 
     SUMMARY 
     In some embodiments is described a method of making a degradable drinking straw, comprising: positioning a tube within a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is configured to hold a liquid to be frozen; contacting the lube with a base plate, wherein the tube is at least partially inserted into the base plate, and wherein the base plate forms a base of the reservoir, filling the reservoir with liquid; filling the tube with a first fluid at a temperature at or below the freezing point of the liquid, causing at least a portion of the liquid in the reservoir to freeze around the tube, forming the degradable drinking straw; maintaining the fluid in the tube for an amount of time to form a desired thickness of the degradable drinking straw; and filling the tube with a second fluid at a temperature at or above the melting point of the degradable drinking straw, causing the degradable drinking straw to partially melt at the contact points with the surface of the tube, allowing the degradable drinking straw to be released from contact with the tube. 
     In some embodiments is described a method of making a plurality of degradable drinking straws, comprising: positioning a plurality of tubes within a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is configured to hold a liquid to be frozen; contacting the plurality of tubes with a base plate, wherein the plurality of tubes is at least partially inserted into the base plate, and wherein the base plate forms a base of the reservoir; filling the reservoir with liquid; filling the plurality of tubes with a first fluid at a temperature at or below the freezing point of the liquid, causing at least a portion of the liquid in the reservoir to freeze around the plurality of tubes, forming the plurality of degradable drinking straws; maintaining the fluid in the plurality of tubes for an amount of time to form a desired thickness of each of the plurality of degradable drinking straws; and filling the plurality of tubes with a second fluid at a temperature at or above the melting point of the plurality of degradable drinking straws, causing the plurality of degradable drinking straws to partially melt at the contact points with the surfaces of the plurality of lubes, allowing the plurality of degradable drinking straws to be released from contact with the plurality of tubes. 
     In some embodiments is described a system for making one or more degradable drinking straws, the system comprising: a base plate configured to form one side of a reservoir for holding a liquid to be frozen into the one or more degradable drinking straws; one or more tubes configured to contact the base plate and positioned within the reservoir; at least one connecting bar in fluid communication with the interior of the one or more tubes; at least one source of a first fluid, the first fluid at a temperature at or below the freezing point of the liquid to be frozen into the one or more degradable drinking straws, in fluid communication with the at least one connecting bar configured to feed the first fluid into the at least one connecting bar and therefore into the one or more tubes; and at least one source of a second fluid, at a temperature at or above the melting point of the one or more degradable drinking straws, in fluid communication with the at least one connecting bar configured to feed the second fluid into the at least one connecting bar and therefore into the one or more tubes. 
     In some embodiments is described a mold for forming a degradable drinking straw comprising: a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises at least two tube engagement structures; a top portion, wherein the top portion comprises at least one opening configured for fluid communication, a tube engagement structure, and a tube opening; a first tube, wherein the first tube is configured to engage a first engagement structure of the base portion and also engage the top portion; and a second tube, wherein the second tube is configured to engage a second engagement structure of the base portion, pass through the tube opening of the top portion, and substantially reside within the interior of the first tube. 
     In some embodiments is described a method of forming a degradable drinking straw comprising: introducing a liquid into a mold; subjecting the mold and its contained liquid to a temperature at or below the freezing point of the liquid; maintaining the mold and its contained liquid at the temperature at or below the freezing point of the liquid until the liquid within the mold has frozen and formed a frozen structure comprising an outer surface which defines an inner void, wherein the inner void is configured to provide a fluid conduit which spans at least a portion of the length of the frozen structure; subjecting the mold and its contained frozen structure to a temperature at or above the melting point of the frozen structure; maintaining the mold and its contained structure at the temperature at or above the melting point of the frozen structure until the frozen structure can be removed from the mold as the degradable drinking straw; and removing the frozen structure from the mold. 
     In some embodiments is described a degradable drinking straw comprising: a frozen liquid, wherein the frozen liquid forms a wall which comprises an inner void, wherein the inner void provides a fluid conduit which passes through the frozen liquid. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts. 
         FIGS. 1A-1B  illustrate a cylindrical degradable drinking straw according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate a conical or tapered degradable drinking straw according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate another conical or tapered degradable drinking straw according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate another cylindrical degradable drinking straw with a conical or tapered interior hollow according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a system for degradable drinking straw making according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the system for degradable drinking straw making shown in  FIG. 5  according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 7A-7B  illustrate a mold for forming a degradable drinking straw according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of one or more embodiments are illustrated below, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not yet in existence. The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. 
     The following brief definition of terms shall apply throughout the application: 
     The term “comprising” means including but not limited to, and should be interpreted in the manner it is typically used in the patent context; 
     The phrases “in one embodiment,” “according to one embodiment,” and the like generally mean that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase may be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and may be included in more than one embodiment of the present invention (importantly, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment); 
     If the .specification describes something as “exemplary” or an “example,” it should be understood that refers to a non-exclusive example; 
     The terms “about” or “approximately” or the like, when used with a number, may mean that specific number, or alternatively, a range in proximity to the specific number, as understood by persons of skill in the art field (for example, ±10%); and 
     If the specification stales a component or feature “may,” “can,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “preferably,” “possibly,” “typically,” “optionally,” “for example,” “often,” or “might” (or other such language) be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or to have the characteristic. Such component or feature may be optionally included in some embodiments, or it may be excluded. 
     Embodiments of the disclosure include drinking straws made of ice (or other frozen liquid), and systems and methods for making drinking straws made of ice (or other frozen liquid), i.e. degradable drinking straws. Embodiments of the disclosure describe a degradable drinking straw, and methods and systems for making a degradable drinking straw. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A-1B , a straw  100  is shown, wherein the straw  100  may comprise a wall (or thickness)  102  made of ice (or other frozen substance/frozen liquid) with a hollow, cavity, and/or void space  104  through the straw  100  which serves as a fluid conduit for a user&#39;s drink. The straw  100  may be used in a drink and may be positioned partially in a drinking liquid and partially extending from the drinking liquid toward the user. The straw  100  may serve to cool the drink (as any other piece of ice within the drinking liquid) while also providing a degradable drinking straw. The straw  100  may be configured to allow a user to drink the drinking liquid via the straw  100  and may be configured to eventually melt and degrade over time. 
     The ice straw  100 , also referred to a degradable drinking straw, shown in  FIG. 1  may comprise an approximately cylindrical shape, and the wall  102  may comprise an outer diameter  112  and an inner diameter  114 , wherein the inner diameter  114  may define the hollow  104 . In other words, the wall  102  may comprise a diameter  112  and the hollow  104  may comprise a diameter  114 . The straw  100  may comprise a length  120 . In some embodiments, the wall  102  may comprise a thickness  116 , wherein the thickness  116  may be defined by the difference between the outer diameter  112  and the inner diameter  114 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B , the outer diameter  112 , the inner diameter  114 , and the thickness  116  may be constant along the length  120  of the straw  100 . 
     As an example, the length  120  of the straw  100  may be between approximately 3 and 10 inches. In some embodiments, the length  120  of the straw  100  may be between approximately 4 and 6 inches. In some embodiments, the length  120  of the straw  100  may be approximately 5 inches. In some embodiments, the length  120  of the straw  100  may be approximately 5.5 inches. In some embodiments, the length  120  of the straw  100  may be approximately 5.75 inches. In some embodiments, the length  120  of the straw  100  may be between approximately 7 and 8 inches. In some embodiments, the length  120  of the straw  100  may be approximately 8.5 inches. In some embodiments, the length  120  of the straw  100  may be approximately 8.75 inches. In some embodiments, the length  120  of the straw  100  may be approximately 7.75 inches. As an example, the outer diameter  112  of the straw  100  may be between approximately 0.5 and 1.5 inches. In some embodiments, the outer diameter  112  of the straw  100  may be approximately 0.75 inches. In some embodiments, the outer diameter  112  of the straw  100  may be approximately 0.875 inches. In some embodiments, the outer diameter  112  of the straw  100  may be approximately 1.00 inch. As an example, the inner diameter  114  of the straw  100  may be between approximately 0.1 and 0.5 inches. In some embodiments, the inner diameter  114  of the straw  100  may be approximately 0.25 inches. 
     In some embodiments, to provide comfort to a user of the straw  100 , a cap or sleeve  101  may be configured to fit over the top end (the end of the straw extended toward the user from the drink), wherein the user&#39;s mouth may contact the cap instead of contacting the straw directly. The cap or sleeve may comprise paper, plastic, wax, or another suitable material. In some embodiments, a drink lid may be configured to receive and hold a straw (as described herein), wherein the lid may comprise a perforation sufficient in size to insert the straw. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2C , a straw  200  is shown, wherein the straw  200  may comprise a wall (or thickness)  202  made of ice with a hollow, cavity, and/or void space  204  through the straw  200 . The ice straw  200  may comprise an approximately conical shape, and the wall  202  may comprise an outer diameter  212  and an inner diameter  214 , wherein the inner diameter  214  may define the hollow  204 . In other words, the wall  202  may comprise a diameter  212  and the hollow  204  may comprise a diameter  214 . The straw  200  may comprise a length  220 . In some embodiments, the wall  202  may comprise a thickness  216 , wherein the thickness  216  may be defined by the difference between the outer diameter  212  and the inner diameter  214 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , the inner diameter  214  may be constant along the length  220  of the straw  200 , while the outer diameter  212  and therefore the thickness  216  may taper along the length  220  of the straw  200  to a second outer diameter  213  and a second thickness  217 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , the outer diameter  212  of the straw  200  tapers from the top to the bottom to the second outer diameter  213 , but in formation and/or use, the straw  200  may be turned in any direction. The taper of the straw  200  may facilitate drinking from the straw  200 . In some embodiments, the end of the straw with the wider thickness  216  may be inserted into the drink, and the wider thickness may take longer to melt in the drink, while the user may drink from the end with the narrower thickness  217 . Alternatively, the end of the straw with the narrower thickness  217  may be inserted into the drink while the user may drink from the end with the wider thickness  216 , and as the straw  200  melts in the drink, the straw  200  may slowly sink into the drink (or glass) instead of breaking or falling out of the drink. 
     In some embodiments, the straw  200  may be formed using a mold, and a tapered outer diameter  212  and  213  may allow gravity to assist with the release of the frozen straw  200  from the mold. In this case, the straw  200  may be formed turned in a vertical direction opposite of that shown in  FIG. 2A , wherein the taper may allow the straw to fall (or be released) vertically from a mold. 
     As an example, the length  220  of the straw  200  may be between approximately 5 and 10 inches. In some embodiments, the length  220  of the straw  200  may be between approximately 7 and 8 inches. In some embodiments, the length  220  of the straw  200  may be approximately 5.5 inches. In some embodiments, the length  220  of the straw  200  may be approximately 5.75 inches. In some embodiments, the length  220  of the straw  200  may be approximately 7.75 inches. In some embodiments, the length  220  of the straw  200  may be approximately 8.5 inches. In some embodiments, the length  220  of the straw  200  may be approximately 8.75 inches. As an example, the outer diameter  212  of the straw  200  may be between approximately 0.5 and 1.5 inches. In some embodiments, the outer diameter  212  of the straw  200  may be approximately 0.75 inches. As an example, the second outer diameter  213  may be less than the outer diameter  212 , e.g., the straw  200  is tapered. As an example, the inner diameter  214  of the straw  200  may be between approximately 0.1 and 0.5 inches. In some embodiments, the inner diameter  214  of the straw  200  may be approximately 0.25 inches. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3C , a straw  300  is shown, wherein the straw  300  may comprise a wall (or thickness)  302  made of ice with a hollow, cavity, and/or void space  304  through the straw  300 . The ice straw  300  may comprise an approximately conical shape, and the wall  302  may comprise an outer diameter  312  and an inner diameter  314 , wherein the inner diameter  314  may define a portion of the hollow  304 . In other words, the wall  302  may comprise a diameter  312  and a portion of the hollow  304  may comprise a diameter  314 . The straw  300  may comprise a length  320 . In some embodiments, the wall  302  may comprise a thickness  316 , wherein the thickness  316  may be defined by the difference between the outer diameter  312  and the inner diameter  314 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C , the outer diameter  312 , the inner diameter  314 , and therefore the thickness  316  may taper along the length  320  of the straw  300  to a second outer diameter  313 , a second inner diameter  315 , and a second thickness  317 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the outer diameter  312  and the inner diameter  314  of the straw  300  taper from the top to the bottom to the second outer diameter  313  and the second inner diameter  315 , but in formation and/or use, the straw  300  may be turned in any direction. The taper of the straw  300  may facilitate drinking from the straw  300 . In some embodiments, the end of the straw with the wider thickness  316  may be inserted into the drink, and the wider thickness may take longer to melt in the drink, while the user may drink from the end with the narrower thickness  317 . Alternatively, the end of the straw with the narrower thickness  317  may be inserted into the drink while the user may drink from the end with the wider thickness  316 , and as the straw  300  melts in the drink, the straw  300  may slowly sink into the drink (or glass) instead of breaking or falling out of the drink. 
     In some embodiments, the straw  300  may be formed using a mold, and a tapered outer diameter  312  and  313  may allow gravity to assist with the release of the frozen straw  300  from the mold. In this case, the straw  300  may be formed turned in a vertical direction opposite of that shown in  FIG. 3A , wherein the taper may allow the straw to fall (or be released) vertically from a mold. 
     As an example, the length  320  of the straw  300  may be between approximately 5 and 10 inches. In some embodiments, the length  320  of the straw  300  may be between approximately 7 and 8 inches. In some embodiments, the length  320  of the straw  300  may be approximately 5.5 inches. In some embodiments, the length  320  of the straw  300  may be approximately 5.75 inches. In some embodiments, the length  320  of the straw  300  may be approximately 7.75 inches. In some embodiments, the length  320  of the straw  300  may be approximately 8.5 inches. In some embodiments, the length  320  of the straw  300  may be approximately 8.75 inches. As an example, the outer diameter  312  of the straw may be between approximately 0.5 and 1.5 inches. In some embodiments, the outer diameter  312  of the straw may be approximately 0.75 inches. As an example, the second outer diameter  313  may be less than the outer diameter  312 . As an example, the inner diameter  314  of the straw may be between approximately 0.1 and 0.5 inches. In some embodiments, the inner diameter  314  of the straw may be approximately 0.25 inches. As an example, the second inner diameter  315  may be less than the inner diameter  314 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A-4C , a straw  400  is shown, wherein the straw  400  may comprise a wall (or thickness)  402  made of ice with a hollow, cavity, and/or void space  404  through the straw  400 . The ice straw  400  may comprise an approximately cylindrical shape, and the wall  402  may comprise an outer diameter  412  and an inner diameter  414 , wherein the inner diameter  414  may define a portion of the hollow  404 . In other words, the wall  402  may comprise a diameter  412  and a portion of the hollow  404  may comprise a diameter  414 . The straw  400  may comprise a length  420 . In some embodiments, the wall  402  may comprise a thickness  416 , wherein the thickness  416  may be defined by the difference between the outer diameter  412  and the inner diameter  414 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C , the outer diameter  412  may be constant along the length  420  of the straw  400 , while the inner diameter  414  and therefore the thickness  416  may taper along the length  420  of the straw  400  to a second inner diameter  415  and a second thickness  417 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the inner diameter  414  of the straw  400  tapers from the top to the bottom to the second outer diameter  413 , but in formation and/or use, the straw  400  may be turned in any direction. The taper of the straw  400  may facilitate drinking from the straw  400 . In some embodiments, the end of the straw with the wider second thickness  417  may be inserted into the drink, and the wider thickness may take longer to melt in the drink, while the user may drink from the end with the narrower thickness  416 . Alternatively, the end of the straw with the narrower thickness  416  may be inserted into the drink while the user may drink from the end with the wider thickness  417 , and as the straw  400  melts in the drink, the straw  400  may slowly sink into the drink (or glass) instead of breaking or falling out of the drink. 
     As an example, the length  420  of the straw  400  may be between approximately 5 and 10 inches. In some embodiments, the length  420  of the straw  400  may be between approximately 7 and 8 inches. In some embodiments, the length  420  of the straw  400  may be approximately 5.5 inches. In some embodiments, the length  420  of the straw  400  may be approximately 5.75 inches. In some embodiments, the length  420  of the straw  400  may be approximately 7.75 inches. In some embodiments, the length  420  of the straw  400  may be approximately 8.5 inches. In some embodiments, the length  420  of the straw  400  may be approximately 8.75 inches. As an example, the outer diameter  412  of the straw  400  may be between approximately 0.5 and 1.5 inches. In some embodiments, the outer diameter  412  of the straw  400  may be approximately 0.75 inches. In some embodiments, the outer diameter  412  of the straw  400  may be approximately 0.875 inches. In some embodiments, the outer diameter  412  of the straw  400  may be approximately 1.00 inch. As an example, the inner diameter  414  of the straw may be between approximately 0.1 and 0.5 inches. In some embodiments, the inner diameter  414  of the straw may be approximately 0.25 inches. As an example, the second inner diameter  415  may be less than the inner diameter  414 . 
     The above described ice straws may be formed using a system or method for freezing ice into the shapes and sizes described. For example, one or more molds may be filled with liquid (e.g., water) and frozen to form the straw. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A-5B , a system  500  for making one or more straws (which may be similar to any of the straws  100 , 200 ,  300 , and  400  described above) is shown. The system  500  may comprise one or more (or a plurality of) tubes  504  (which may also be called bars, pipes, and/or cylinders) configured to extend into a reservoir  520  (or tank). The tubes  504  may each be in fluid communication with a connecting bar  502 , wherein fluid (e.g., a liquid and/or a gas) within the connecting bar  502  may be directed into the tubes  504 . In some embodiments, the system  500  may comprise a source of cold fluid  530  (e.g., a refrigeration device comprising a compressor and a fluid which can be pressurized and depressurized) and a source of hot fluid  532  (e.g., a hot water heater or forced-air heating device) in fluid communication with the connecting bar  502 , wherein one source  530  and  532  may be accessed (or activated) at a time to fill the connecting bar  502  and therefore the tubes  504 . 
     In some embodiments, the tubes  504  may be sized and shaped to form an interior hollow of an ice straw (which may be similar to any of the straws  100 , 200 , 300 , and  400  described above). In some embodiments, the tubes  504  may be tapered from one end to the other. In some embodiments, the taper of the tubes  504  may facilitate removal of the ice that forms around the lubes  504 . In some embodiments, the system  500  may comprise a plurality of connecting bars  502  all in fluid communication with the source of cold fluid  530  and the source of hot fluid  532 , wherein each connecting bar  502  may be in fluid communication with at least one tube  504 . Only a single row of tubes  504  is shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , but in some embodiments, the connecting bars  502  and lubes  504  may form a grid or other pattern extending within the reservoir  520 . 
     In some embodiments, a bottom portion of the tubes  504  may be inserted into (and/or brought into contact with) a base plate  510 , wherein the base plate  510  may comprise a plurality of openings  512  configured to receive the bottom portion of the tubes  504 . In some embodiments, the openings  512  and/or the tubes  504  may comprise a sealing material configured to provide a seal between the surface of the tube  504  and the surface of the opening  512 . In some embodiments, the bottom portion of the tubes  504  may extend through the entire thickness of the base plate  510 , while in other embodiments, the bottom portion of the tubes  504  may extend through only a portion of the thickness of the base plate  510  (e.g., one third of the thickness, one fourth of the thickness, one half of the thickness, two thirds of the thickness, and/or another fraction of the thickness of the base plate  510 ). Alternatively, the bottom portion of the tubes  504  may be brought into contact with the base plate  510  without extending into any openings and may only contact a top surface of the base plate  510 . In some embodiments, the tubes  504  may seal with the top surface of the base plate  510 . 
     In some embodiments, the tubes  504  and/or the base plate  510  may be configured to move with respect to one another, wherein in a first position (shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B ) the base plate  510  may form the base of the reservoir  520 , allowing the reservoir  520  to be filled with water (and/or another liquid) (e.g., as shown by the dashed lines in  FIGS. 5A and 5B ). 
     In some embodiments, while the reservoir  520  is filled with a liquid  521 , e.g., water, the source of cold fluid  530  may provide a cold fluid, the cold fluid being a first fluid  531  at a temperature at or below the freezing point of the liquid  521 , into the connecting bar  502  and therefore into the tubes  504 . By lowering the temperature of the tubes  504  to below the freezing temperature of the liquid  521 , a phase change from liquid to solid may be caused to form in the liquid  521  along the surface of the tubes  504  forming the degradable drinking straws  522  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). The shape and size of the tubes  504  may determine the size and shape of the degradable drinking straws (e.g., in the case of liquid  521  being water, the size and shape of the ice) that is formed around the tubes  504 . In some embodiments, the ice may form uniformly around a tube  504  which is cylindrically shaped to create a cylindrical shape of ice with a cylindrical hollow through the ice in the shape of the tube  504 . In some embodiments, the ice may form uniformly around a tube  504  which is conically shaped to create a conical shape of ice with a conical hollow through the ice in the shape of the tube  504 . In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 5B , the reservoir  520  may be segmented into individual sections  525  (e.g., to form a mold for the degradable drinking straw  522 ) in which each individual tube  504  may be inserted, the shape of the individual sections of the reservoir  520  may be e.g., conical, cylindrical, irregular, or other shapes. The individual sections of reservoir  520  may provide for the outer appearance of the degradable drinking straws  522 . In embodiments, the outer shape of the degradable drinking straw  522  need not mimic the hollow shape (e.g.,  214  and  314 ) of the degradable drinking straw  522 , as the hollow shape may be determined by the shape of lube  504  and the outer shape may be determined by the shape of reservoir  520 . Ice may be allowed to form around the tubes  504  for a predetermined amount of time, wherein the time may be used to control the thickness of the ice that is formed around the tubes  504 . In some embodiments, the tubes  504  may be spaced sufficiently apart to allow ice to form around each of the tubes  504  without the ice forming on one tube  504  contacting or interfering with the ice forming on an adjacent tube  504 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , after ice (or other liquid which has been frozen) and has formed around the tubes  504  in the shape of degradable drinking straws  522 , the reservoir  520  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) may be emptied, exposing the ice (e.g., degradable drinking straws). In some embodiments, the base plate  510  may be moved out of contact with the tubes  504 . In some embodiments, the base plate  510  may comprise a material configured to prevent ice forming or sticking to the base plate  510 . In some embodiments the base plate  510  will articulate upon completion of the degradable drinking straws  522  formation process and allow for the degradable drinking straws  522  to slide into individual receptacles below the tubes  504 . In some embodiments the base plate  510  will articulate upon completion of the degradable drinking straws  522  formation process and allow for the degradable drinking straws  522  to disassociate from the tubes  504 . In some embodiments the base plate  510  will articulate upon completion of the degradable drinking straws  522  formation process and allow for the degradable drinking straws  522  to disassociate from the tubes  504  and, upon dissociation, enter into individual receptacles below the tubes  504  once a second fluid is introduced into the connecting bar  502  and has flowed into contact with the tubes  504 . In some embodiments, the base plate  510  comprises partitions below each tube  504  to guide the degradable drinking straws  522  into their proper receptacles upon release. In some embodiments, the receptacles of the degradable drinking straws  522  are configured to dispense the degradable drinking straws  522 . In an embodiment, the receptacles move, e.g., rotate, upon request for a degradable drinking straw  522  and pass over an opening which allows for the degradable drinking straw  522  to be dispensed into a waiting glass or other container. 
     To remove the degradable drinking straws  522  from the tubes  504 , the source of hot fluid  532  may provide a hot fluid, the hot fluid being a second fluid  533  at a temperature at or above the melting point of the degradable drinking straws  522 , into the connecting bar  502  and therefore into the tubes  504 . The second fluid  533  being hot enough to at least partially melt the interface between the degradable drinking straws  522  and the tube  504 , without completely melting the degradable drinking straws  522  and/or affecting the integrity of the degradable drinking straws  522 . The second fluid  533  may warm the surface of the tube  504  that is contacting the degradable drinking straws  522  enough to “release” the degradable drinking straws  522  from connection with the tubes  504 . In some embodiments, the base plate  510  may also be configured to be heated to release any drinking straw  522  that has formed or stuck to the base plate  510 . 
     In some embodiments, the second fluid  533  may be fed into the tubes  504  after the base plate  510  has been removed from contact with the tubes. In other embodiments, the second fluid  533  may be fed into the tubes  504  before the base plate  510  has been removed, and then the ice degradable drinking straws  522  may rest on the base plate  510  as it is moved away from the tubes  504 . In some embodiments, the base plate  510  may be moved or positioned at an angle (relative to the tubes  504 ) to allow the degradable drinking straws  522  to fall in a particular direction, for example, into a holding or storage bin. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A-7B , a mold  700  for making a degradable drinking straw (which may be similar to any of the straws  100 , 200 , 300 , and  400  described above) is shown. The mold  700  may comprise a base portion  702 , a top portion  704 , a first tube  706 , and a second tube  708 . 
     In some embodiments, the base portion  702  may comprise a flexible material such as silicon, latex, polyurethane, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the base portion  702  may comprise at least two tube engagement structures, e.g., a first engagement structure  712  and a second engagement structure  714 , wherein the first engagement structure  712  and a the second engagement structure  714  are configured to form leakproof seals between the base portion  702  and the first tube  706  and the second tube  708  upon engagement of the base portion  702  with the first engagement structure  712  and a the second engagement structure  714 . 
     In some embodiments, the top portion  704  may comprise a rigid material such as stainless steel, high-density polyethylene, polycarbonate, styrene acrylonitrile resin, melamine, copolyester, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the top portion  704  comprises at least one opening configured for fluid communication  710 . In some embodiments, the opening configured for fluid communication  710  is a hole which allows fluid, e.g., water or another liquid, to be introduced into the mold  700 . In some embodiments, the opening configured for fluid communication  710  is a hole which allows fluid, e.g., water or another liquid, to be expelled from the mold  700  upon the expansion of a freezing liquid contained in the mold to prevent overstressing the mold  700 . In some embodiments, the top portion  704  may comprise a tube engagement structure  716 . The lube engagement structure  716  is configured to secure the top portion  702  to the first tube  706  and provide for structural integrity of the mold  700  during the degradable drinking straw production process. In some embodiments, the tube engagement structure  716  comprises a screw closure which is configured to engage threads located on the top end of the first tube  706 . In some embodiments, the tube engagement structure  716  comprises an alignment channel configured to engage the top end of the first tube  706  to secure the top portion  704  to the first tube  706 . In some embodiments, the top portion  704  comprises a tube opening  718 , wherein the tube opening is configured to allow the second tube  708  to pass through the top portion  704 . 
     In some embodiments, the first tube  706  may comprise a rigid material such as stainless steel, high-density polyethylene, polycarbonate, styrene acrylonitrile resin, melamine, copolyester, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the first tube  706  comprises a material which conducts heat. The first tube&#39;s  706  ability to conduct heat facilitates both the process of freezing of the liquid contained in the mold  700  and the removal of the frozen structure, e.g., a degradable drinking straw (which may be similar to any of the straws  100 , 200 , 300 , and  400  described above), during the removal process. In some embodiments, the first tube  706  is configured to engage the first engagement structure  712  of the base portion  702  and also engage the top portion  704  via the lube engagement structure  716 . In some embodiments, the first tube  706  may comprise threads located at its top end to engage the top portion  704 &#39;s tube engagement structure  716 . In some embodiments, the first tube  706  is configured to accept the second tube  708  and, upon acceptance, form a void between the inner wall portion of the first tube  706  and the outer wall portion of the second tube  708 , wherein the void is the portion of the mold  700  which is configured to contain the liquid to be frozen and turned into a degradable drinking straw (which may be similar to any of the straws  100 , 200 ,  300 , and  400  described above). 
     In some embodiments, the second tube  708  may comprise a rigid material such as stainless steel, high-density polyethylene, polycarbonate, styrene acrylonitrile resin, melamine, copolyester, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the second tube  708  comprises a material which conducts heat. The second tube&#39;s  708  ability to conduct heat facilitates both the process of freezing of the liquid contained in the mold  700  and the removal of the frozen structure, e.g., a degradable drinking straw (which may be similar to any of the straws  100 , 200 ,  300 , and  400  described above), during the removal process. In some embodiments, the second tube  708  is configured to engage the second engagement structure  714  of the base portion  702  and to also pass through the lop portion  704  via the tube opening  718 . In some embodiments, the second tube  708  is configured to reside substantially within the first tube  706  and, when in place, form a void between the inner wall portion of the first tube  706  and the outer wall portion of the second tube  708 , wherein the void is the portion of the mold  700  which is configured to contain the liquid to be frozen and turned into a degradable drinking straw (which may be similar to any of the straws  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and  400  described above). In some embodiments, the second tube  708  is configured, via the portion of the second tube  708  which extends beyond the top portion  704  when the second tube  708  has engaged the second engagement structure  714  of the base portion  702  and is residing substantially within the first tube  706 , to allow a user to engage the portion of the second tube  708  which extends beyond the top portion  704  to manipulate the mold  700 . A user may desire to manipulate the mold to facilitate transport of the mold  700  and/or removal of a degradable drinking straw from the mold  700 . 
     In some embodiments, a method of forming a degradable drinking straw (which may be similar to any of the straws  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and  400  described above) may comprise introducing a liquid into mold, subjecting the mold and its contained liquid to a temperature at or below the freezing point of the liquid, maintaining the mold and its contained liquid at the temperature at or below the freezing point of the liquid until the liquid within the mold has frozen and formed a frozen structure comprising an outer surface which defines an inner void, wherein the inner void is configured to provide a fluid conduit which spans at least a portion of the length of the frozen structure, subjecting the mold and its contained frozen structure to a temperature at or above the melting point of the frozen structure, maintaining the mold and its contained structure at the temperature at or above the melting point of the frozen structure until the frozen structure can be removed from the mold as the degradable drinking straw, and removing the frozen structure from the mold. 
     In some embodiments, a method of forming a degradable drinking straw (which may be similar to any of the straws  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and  400  described above) may comprise introducing a liquid into mold, e.g., mold  700 . Introducing liquid into mold  700  may comprise the liquid passing through the at least one opening configured for fluid communication  710  and/or being directly entered into the first tube  706  by way of removing top portion  704 . 
     In some embodiments, subjecting the liquid in contained in the mold  700  to a temperature at or below the freezing point of the liquid may comprise placing the mold  700  and its contained liquid into a compartment of a refrigeration unit, wherein the a temperature of the compartment is at or below the freezing point of the liquid. 
     In some embodiments, maintaining the mold  700  and its contained liquid at the temperature at or below the freezing point of the liquid until the liquid within the mold has frozen and formed a frozen structure comprising an outer surface which defines an inner void comprises leaving, for a designated time duration, the mold  700  and its contained liquid into a compartment of a refrigeration unit, wherein the a temperature of the compartment is at or below the freezing point of the liquid. 
     In some embodiments, subjecting the mold  700  and its contained frozen structure to a temperature at or above the melting point of the frozen structure comprises removing the mold  700  and its contained frozen structure from the compartment of the refrigeration unit and placing the mold  700  and its contained frozen structure in a room temperature environment. In some embodiments, subjecting the mold  700  and its contained frozen structure to a temperature at or above the melting point of the frozen structure comprises removing the mold  700  and its contained frozen structure from the compartment of the refrigeration unit and placing the mold  700  and its contained frozen structure in a warm water bath. 
     In some embodiments, maintaining the mold  700  and its contained frozen structure at a temperature at or above the melting point of the frozen structure comprises leaving, for a designated time duration, the mold  700  and its contained frozen structure in a room temperature environment. In some embodiments, maintaining the mold  700  and its contained frozen structure at a temperature at or above the melting point of the frozen structure comprises leaving, for a designated time duration, the mold  700  and its contained frozen structure in a warm water bath. 
     In some embodiments, removing the frozen structure from the mold comprises disassembling the mold  700 . 
     In some embodiments, a method of forming a degradable drinking straw (which may be similar to any of the straws  100 , 200 , 300 , and  400  described above) may comprise assembling the mold  700 . In some embodiments, assembling the mold  700  comprises (1) engaging the base portion  702  with the first tube  706  via the first engagement structure  712  of the base portion  702 ; (2) introducing the second tube  708  into the interior of the first tube  706 ; (3) engaging the base portion  702  with the second tube  708  via the second engagement structure  714  of the base portion  702 ; (4) placing the second tube  708  through the tube opening  718  of the top portion  704 ; and (5) securing the top portion  704  to the first tube  706  via the tube engagement structure  716 . 
     In some embodiments, a method of forming a degradable drinking straw (which may be similar to any of the straws  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and  400  described above) may comprise removing a frozen structure (i.e., once removed the frozen structure comprises the degradable drinking straw) from the mold  700 . In some embodiments, removing the frozen structure from the mold  700  comprises disassembling the mold  700 . In some embodiments, disassembling the mold  700  comprises: (1) removing the top portion  704  from its engagement with the first tube  706  via manipulation of the tube engagement structure  716 ; (2) disassociating the top portion  704  from the second tube  706  via removal of the second tube  708  from the tube opening  718 ; (3) disengaging the second tube  708  from the second engagement structure  714  of the base portion  702 ; and (4) removing the second tube  708  from the interior of the first tube  706 . In some embodiments, removing the second tube  708  from the interior of the first tube  706  facilitates recovery of the degradable drinking straw via reducing any air pressure forces which may impede removal of the frozen structure from the mold  700 . 
     Having described various devices and methods herein, exemplary embodiments or aspects can include, but are not limited to the following embodiments numbered 1-149: 
     1. A method of making a degradable drinking straw, comprising: positioning a tube within a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is configured to hold a liquid to be frozen; contacting the tube with a base plate, wherein the tube is at least partially inserted into the base plate, and wherein the base plate forms a base of the reservoir; filling the reservoir with liquid; filling the tube with a first fluid at a temperature at or below the freezing point of the liquid, causing at least a portion of the liquid in the reservoir to freeze around the tube, forming the degradable drinking straw; maintaining the fluid in the tube for an amount of time to form a desired thickness of the degradable drinking straw; and filling the tube with a second fluid at a temperature at or above the melting point of the degradable drinking straw, causing the degradable drinking straw to partially melt at the contact points with the surface of the tube, allowing the degradable drinking straw to be released from contact with the lube. 
     2. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising removing the liquid from the reservoir. 
     3. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising removing the liquid from the reservoir, prior to filling the tube with a second fluid at a temperature at or above the melting point of the degradable drinking straw. 
     4. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising removing the base plate from contact with the tube. 
     5. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising removing the base plate from contact with the tube, prior to filling the tube with a second fluid at a temperature at or above the melting point of the degradable drinking straw. 
     6. The method of embodiment 2, further comprising removing the base plate from contact with the tube. 
     7. The method of embodiment 2, further comprising removing the base plate from contact with the tube, prior to filling the tube with a second fluid at a temperature at or above the melting point of the degradable drinking straw. 
     8. The method of embodiment 3, further comprising removing the base plate from contact with the tube. 
     9. The method of embodiment 3, further comprising removing the base plate from contact with the tube, prior to filling the tube with a second fluid at a temperature at or above the melting point of the degradable drinking straw. 
     10. The method of embodiment 4, wherein the base plate is configured to articulate to allow the degradable drinking straw to disassociate from the tube. 
     11. The method of embodiment 10, wherein base plate is configured with partitions to guide the degradable drinking straw as it disassociates from the tube and enters a receiving receptacle. 
     12. The method of embodiment 11, wherein the receiving receptacle of the degradable drinking straw is configured to dispense the degradable drinking straw upon request. 
     13. The method of embodiment 12, wherein the receiving receptacle is configured to move and to pass over an opening, wherein the receiving receptacle dispenses the degradable drinking straw upon passing over the opening. 
     14. The method of embodiment 5, wherein the base plate is configured to articulate to allow the degradable drinking straw to disassociate from the tube. 
     15. The method of embodiment 14, wherein base plate is configured with partitions to guide the degradable drinking straw as it disassociates from the tube and enters a receiving receptacle. 
     16. The method of embodiment 15, wherein the receiving receptacle of the degradable drinking straw is configured to dispense the degradable drinking straw upon request. 
     17. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the receiving receptacle is configured to move and to pass over an opening, wherein the receiving receptacle dispenses the degradable drinking straw upon passing over the opening. 
     18. The method of embodiment 6, wherein the base plate is configured to articulate to allow the degradable drinking straw to disassociate from the tube. 
     19. The method of embodiment 18, wherein base plate is configured with partitions to guide the degradable drinking straw as it disassociates from the tube and enters a receiving receptacle. 
     20. The method of embodiment 19, wherein the receiving receptacle of the degradable drinking straw is configured to dispense the degradable drinking straw upon request. 
     21. The method of embodiment 20, wherein the receiving receptacle is configured to move and to pass over an opening, wherein the receiving receptacle dispenses the degradable drinking straw upon passing over the opening. 
     22. The method of embodiment 7, wherein the base plate is configured to articulate to allow the degradable drinking straw to disassociate from the tube. 
     23. The method of embodiment 22, wherein base plate is configured with partitions to guide the degradable drinking straw as it disassociates from the tube and enters a receiving receptacle. 
     24. The method of embodiment 23, wherein the receiving receptacle of the degradable drinking straw is configured to dispense the degradable drinking straw upon request. 
     25. The method of embodiment 24, wherein the receiving receptacle is configured to move and to pass over an opening, wherein the receiving receptacle dispenses the degradable drinking straw upon passing over the opening. 
     26. The method of embodiment 8, wherein the base plate is configured to articulate to allow the degradable drinking straw to disassociate from the tube. 
     27. The method of embodiment 26, wherein base plate is configured with partitions to guide the degradable drinking straw as it disassociates from the tube and enters a receiving receptacle. 
     28. The method of embodiment 27, wherein the receiving receptacle of the degradable drinking straw is configured to dispense the degradable drinking straw upon request. 
     29. The method of embodiment 28, wherein the receiving receptacle is configured to move and to pass over an opening, wherein the receiving receptacle dispenses the degradable drinking straw upon passing over the opening. 
     30. The method of embodiment 9, wherein the base plate is configured to articulate to allow the degradable drinking straw to disassociate from the tube. 
     31. The method of embodiment 30, wherein base plate is configured with partitions to guide the degradable drinking straw as it disassociates from the tube and enters a receiving receptacle. 
     32. The method of embodiment 31, wherein the receiving receptacle of the degradable drinking straw is configured to dispense the degradable drinking straw upon request. 
     33. The method of embodiment 32, wherein the receiving receptacle is configured to move and to pass over an opening, wherein the receiving receptacle dispenses the degradable drinking straw upon passing over the opening. 
     34. A method of making a plurality of degradable drinking straws, comprising: 
     positioning a plurality of tubes within a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is configured to hold a liquid to be frozen; contacting the plurality of tubes with a base plate, wherein the plurality of tubes is at least partially inserted into the base plate, and wherein the base plate forms a base of the reservoir, filling the reservoir with liquid; filling the plurality of tubes with a first fluid at a temperature at or below the freezing point of the liquid, causing at least a portion of the liquid in the reservoir to freeze around the plurality of tubes, forming the plurality of degradable drinking straws; maintaining the fluid in the plurality of tubes for an amount of time to form a desired thickness of each of the plurality of degradable drinking straws; and filling the plurality of tubes with a second fluid at a temperature at or above the melting point of the plurality of degradable drinking straws, causing the plurality of degradable drinking straws to partially melt at the contact points with the surfaces of the plurality of tubes, allowing the plurality of degradable drinking straws to be released from contact with the plurality of tubes. 
     35. The method of embodiment 34, further comprising removing the liquid from the reservoir. 
     36. The method of embodiment 34, further comprising removing the liquid from the reservoir, prior to filling the plurality of lubes with a second fluid at a temperature at or above the melting point of the plurality of degradable drinking straws. 
     37. The method of embodiment 34, further comprising removing the base plate from contact with plurality of tubes. 
     38. The method of embodiment 34, further comprising removing the base plate from contact with the plurality of tubes, prior to filling the plurality of tubes with a second fluid at a temperature at or above the melting point of the plurality of degradable drinking straws. 
     39. The method of embodiment 35, further comprising removing the base plate from contact with the plurality of tubes. 
     40. The method of embodiment 35, further comprising removing the base plate from contact with the plurality of tubes, prior to filling the plurality of tubes with a second fluid at a temperature at or above the melting point of the plurality of degradable drinking straws. 
     41. The method of embodiment 36, further comprising removing the base plate from contact with the plurality of tubes. 
     42. The method of embodiment 36, further comprising removing the base plate from contact with the plurality of tubes, prior to filling the plurality of tubes with a second fluid at a temperature at or above the melting point of the plurality of degradable drinking straws. 
     43. The method of embodiment 37, wherein the base plate is configured to articulate to allow the plurality of degradable drinking straws to disassociate from the plurality of tubes. 
     44. The method of embodiment 43, wherein base plate is configured with partitions to guide the plurality of degradable drinking straws as they disassociate from the plurality of lubes and enter a plurality of receiving receptacles. 
     45. The method of embodiment 44, wherein the plurality of receiving receptacles of the plurality of degradable drinking straws are configured to dispense the plurality of degradable drinking straws upon request. 
     46. The method of embodiment 45, wherein the plurality of receiving receptacles are configured to move and to pass over an opening, wherein each of the plurality of the receiving receptacles dispenses one of the degradable drinking straws upon passing over the opening. 
     47. The method of embodiment 38, wherein the base plate is configured to articulate to allow the plurality of degradable drinking straws to disassociate from the plurality of tubes. 
     48. The method of embodiment 47, wherein base plate is configured with partitions to guide the plurality of degradable drinking straws as they disassociate from the plurality of tubes and enter a plurality of receiving receptacles. 
     49. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the plurality of receiving receptacles of the plurality of degradable drinking straws are configured to dispense the plurality of degradable drinking straws upon request. 
     50. The method of embodiment 49, wherein the plurality of receiving receptacles are configured to move and to pass over an opening, wherein each of the plurality of the receiving receptacles dispenses one of the degradable drinking straws upon passing over the opening. 
     51. The method of embodiment 39, wherein the base plate is configured to articulate to allow the plurality of degradable drinking straws to disassociate from the plurality of tubes. 
     52. The method of embodiment 51, wherein base plate is configured with partitions to guide the plurality of degradable drinking straws as they disassociate from the plurality of tubes and enter a plurality of receiving receptacles. 
     53. The method of embodiment 52, wherein the plurality of receiving receptacles of the plurality of degradable drinking straws are configured to dispense the plurality of degradable drinking straws upon request. 
     54. The method of embodiment 53, wherein the plurality of receiving receptacles are configured to move and to pass over an opening, wherein each of the plurality of the receiving receptacles dispenses one of the degradable drinking straws upon passing over the opening. 
     55. The method of embodiment 40, wherein the base plate is configured to articulate to allow the plurality of degradable drinking straws to disassociate from the plurality of tubes. 
     56. The method of embodiment 55, wherein base plate is configured with partitions to guide the plurality of degradable drinking straws as they disassociate from the plurality of tubes and enter a plurality of receiving receptacles. 
     57. The method of embodiment 56, wherein the plurality of receiving receptacles of the plurality of degradable drinking straws are configured to dispense the plurality of degradable drinking straws upon request. 
     58. The method of embodiment 57, wherein the plurality of receiving receptacles are configured to move and to pass over an opening, wherein each of the plurality of the receiving receptacles dispenses one of the degradable drinking straws upon passing over the opening. 
     59. The method of embodiment 41, wherein the base plate is configured to articulate to allow the plurality of degradable drinking straws to disassociate from the plurality of tubes. 
     60. The method of embodiment 59, wherein base plate is configured with partitions to guide the plurality of degradable drinking straws as they disassociate from the plurality of tubes and enter a plurality of receiving receptacles. 
     61. The method of embodiment 60, wherein the plurality of receiving receptacles of the plurality of degradable drinking straws are configured to dispense the plurality of degradable drinking straws upon request. 
     62. The method of embodiment 61, wherein the plurality of receiving receptacles are configured to move and to pass over an opening, wherein each of the plurality of the receiving receptacles dispenses one of the degradable drinking straws upon passing over the opening. 
     63. The method of embodiment 42, wherein the base plate is configured to articulate to allow the plurality of degradable drinking straws to disassociate from the plurality of tubes. 
     64. The method of embodiment 63, wherein base plate is configured with partitions to guide the plurality of degradable drinking straws as they disassociate from the plurality of tubes and enter a plurality of receiving receptacles. 
     65. The method of embodiment 64, wherein the plurality of receiving receptacles of the plurality of degradable drinking straws are configured to dispense the plurality of degradable drinking straws upon request. 
     66. The method of embodiment 65, wherein the plurality of receiving receptacles are configured to move and to pass over an opening, wherein each of the plurality of the receiving receptacles dispenses one of the degradable drinking straws upon passing over the opening. 
     67. A system for making one or more degradable drinking straws, the system comprising: a base plate configured to form one side of a reservoir for holding a liquid to be frozen into the one or more degradable drinking straws; one or more tubes configured to contact the base plate and positioned within the reservoir; at least one connecting bar in fluid communication with the interior of the one or more tubes; at least one source of a first fluid, the first fluid at a temperature at or below the freezing point of the liquid to be frozen into the one or more degradable drinking straws, in fluid communication with the at least one connecting bar configured to feed the first fluid into the at least one connecting bar and therefore into the one or more tubes; and at least one source of a second fluid, at a temperature at or above the melting point of the one or more degradable drinking straws, in fluid communication with the at least one connecting bar configured to feed the second fluid into the at least one connecting bar and therefore into the one or more tubes. 
     68. The system of embodiment 67, wherein the one or more tubes are configured to produce the one or more degradable drinking straws having a cylindrical shape. 
     69. The system of embodiment 67, wherein the one or more tubes are configured to produce the one or more degradable drinking straws having a conical shape. 
     70. The system of embodiment 67, wherein the one or more tubes are configured to produce the one or more degradable drinking straws having an irregular shape. 
     71. The system of embodiment 67, wherein the one or more tubes each occupy an individual, segmented section of the reservoir. 
     72. The system of embodiment 68, wherein the one or more tubes each occupy an individual, segmented section of the reservoir. 
     73. The system of embodiment 69, wherein the one or more tubes each occupy an individual, segmented section of the reservoir. 
     74. The system of embodiment 70, wherein the one or more tubes each occupy an individual, segmented section of the reservoir. 
     75. The system of embodiment 71, wherein the individual, segmented section of the reservoir is configured to form a cylindrically shape degradable drinking straw. 
     76. The system of embodiment 71, wherein the individual, segmented section of the reservoir is configured to form a conically shaped degradable drinking straw. 
     77. The system of embodiment 71, wherein the individual, segmented section of the reservoir is configured to form an irregularly shaped degradable drinking straw. 
     78. The system of embodiment 72, wherein the individual, segmented section of the reservoir is configured to form a cylindrically shaped degradable drinking straw. 
     79. The system of embodiment 72, wherein the individual, segmented section of the reservoir is configured to form a conically shaped degradable drinking straw. 
     80. The system of embodiment 72, wherein the individual, segmented section of the reservoir is configured to form an irregularly shaped degradable drinking straw. 
     81. The system of embodiment 73, wherein the individual, segmented section of the reservoir is configured to form a cylindrically shape degradable drinking straw. 
     82. The system of embodiment 73, wherein the individual, segmented section of the reservoir is configured to form a conically shaped degradable drinking straw. 
     83. The system of embodiment 73, wherein the individual, segmented section of the reservoir is configured to form an irregularly shaped degradable drinking straw. 
     84. The system of embodiment 74, wherein the individual, segmented section of the reservoir is configured to form a cylindrically shape degradable drinking straw. 
     85. The system of embodiment 74, wherein the individual, segmented section of the reservoir is configured to form a conically shaped degradable drinking straw. 
     86. The system of embodiment 74, wherein the individual, segmented section of the reservoir is configured to form an irregularly shaped degradable drinking straw. 
     87. The system of embodiment 67, further comprising at least one receptacle for receiving one of the one or more degradable drinking straws, wherein the base plate is configured with partitions to guide the one of the one or more degradable drinking straws as it disassociates from one of the one or more tubes and enters the at least one receptacle. 
     88. The system of embodiment 68, further comprising at least one receptacle for receiving one of the one or more degradable drinking straws, wherein the base plate is configured with partitions to guide the one of the one or more degradable drinking straws as it disassociates from one of the one or more tubes and enters the at least one receptacle. 
     89. The system of embodiment 69, further comprising at least one receptacle for receiving one of the one or more degradable drinking straws, wherein the base plate is configured with partitions to guide the one of the one or more degradable drinking straws as it disassociates from one of the one or more tubes and enters the at least one receptacle. 
     90. The system of embodiment 70, further comprising at least one receptacle for receiving one of the one or more degradable drinking straws, wherein the base plate is configured with partitions to guide the one of the one or more degradable drinking straws as it disassociates from one of the one or more tubes and enters the at least one receptacle. 
     91. The system of embodiment 71, further comprising at least one receptacle for receiving one of the one or more degradable drinking straws, wherein the base plate is configured with partitions to guide the one of the one or more degradable drinking straws as it disassociates from one of the one or more tubes and enters the at least one receptacle. 
     92. The system of embodiment 72, further comprising at least one receptacle for receiving one of the one or more degradable drinking straws, wherein the base plate is configured with partitions to guide the one of the one or more degradable drinking straws as it disassociates from one of the one or more tubes and enters the at least one receptacle. 
     93. The system of embodiment 73, further comprising at least one receptacle for receiving one of the one or more degradable drinking straws, wherein the base plate is configured with partitions to guide the one of the one or more degradable drinking straws as it disassociates from one of the one or more tubes and enters the at least one receptacle. 
     94. The system of embodiment 74, further comprising at least one receptacle for receiving one of the one or more degradable drinking straws, wherein the base plate is configured with partitions to guide the one of the one or more degradable drinking straws as it disassociates from one of the one or more tubes and enters the at least one receptacle. 
     95. The system of embodiment 75, further comprising at least one receptacle for receiving one of the one or more degradable drinking straws, wherein the base plate is configured with partitions to guide the one of the one or more degradable drinking straws as it disassociates from one of the one or more tubes and enters the at least one receptacle. 
     96. The system of embodiment 76, further comprising at least one receptacle for receiving one of the one or more degradable drinking straws, wherein the base plate is configured with partitions to guide the one of the one or more degradable drinking straws as it disassociates from one of the one or more lubes and enters the at least one receptacle. 
     97. The system of embodiment 77, further comprising at least one receptacle for receiving one of the one or more degradable drinking straws, wherein the base plate is configured with partitions to guide the one of the one or more degradable drinking straws as it disassociates from one of the one or more tubes and enters the at least one receptacle. 
     98. The system of embodiment 78, further comprising at least one receptacle for receiving one of the one or more degradable drinking straws, wherein the base plate is configured with partitions to guide the one of the one or more degradable drinking straws as it disassociates from one of the one or more tubes and enters the at least one receptacle. 
     99. The system of embodiment 79, further comprising at least one receptacle for receiving one of the one or more degradable drinking straws, wherein the base plate is configured with partitions to guide the one of the one or more degradable drinking straws as it disassociates from one of the one or more tubes and enters the at least one receptacle. 
     100. The system of embodiment 80, further comprising at least one receptacle for receiving one of the one or more degradable drinking straws, wherein the base plate is configured with partitions to guide the one of the one or more degradable drinking straws as it disassociates from one of the one or more tubes and enters the at least one receptacle. 
     101. The system of embodiment 81, further comprising at least one receptacle for receiving one of the one or more degradable drinking straws, wherein the base plate is configured with partitions to guide the one of the one or more degradable drinking straws as it disassociates from one of the one or more tubes and enters the at least one receptacle. 
     102. The system of embodiment 82, further comprising at least one receptacle for receiving one of the one or more degradable drinking straws, wherein the base plate is configured with partitions to guide the one of the one or more degradable drinking straws as it disassociates from one of the one or more lubes and enters the at least one receptacle. 
     103. The system of embodiment 83, further comprising at least one receptacle for receiving one of the one or more degradable drinking straws, wherein the base plate is configured with partitions to guide the one of the one or more degradable drinking straws as it disassociates from one of the one or more tubes and enters the at least one receptacle. 
     104. The system of embodiment 84, further comprising at least one receptacle for receiving one of the one or more degradable drinking straws, wherein the base plate is configured with partitions to guide the one of the one or more degradable drinking straws as it disassociates from one of the one or more tubes and enters the at least one receptacle. 
     105. The system of embodiment 85, further comprising at least one receptacle for receiving one of the one or more degradable drinking straws, wherein the base plate is configured with partitions to guide the one of the one or more degradable drinking straws as it disassociates from one of the one or more tubes and enters the at least one receptacle. 
     106. The system of embodiment 86, further comprising at least one receptacle for receiving one of the one or more degradable drinking straws, wherein the base plate is configured with partitions to guide the one of the one or more degradable drinking straws as it disassociates from one of the one or more lubes and enters the at least one receptacle. 
     107. A mold for forming a degradable drinking straw comprising: 
     a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises at least two tube engagement structures; a top portion, wherein the top portion comprises at least one opening configured for fluid communication, a tube engagement structure, and a tube opening; a first tube, wherein the first tube is configured to engage a first engagement structure of the base portion and also engage the top portion; and a second tube, wherein the second tube is configured to engage a second engagement structure of the base portion, pass through the tube opening of the top portion, and substantially reside within the interior of the first tube. 
     108. The mold of embodiment 107, wherein the base portion comprises a flexible material. 
     109. The mold of embodiment 108, wherein the flexible material comprises silicon, latex, polyurethane, or combinations thereof. 
     110. The mold of embodiment 107, wherein the top portion comprises a screw closure and the first lube comprises a threaded portion, wherein the screw closure engages the threaded portion to secure the top portion to the first lube. 
     111. The mold of embodiment 107, wherein the top portion comprises an alignment channel configured to engage the first tube to secure the top portion to the first tube. 
     112. The mold of embodiment 107, wherein the top portion comprises a rigid material. 
     113. The mold of embodiment 112, wherein the rigid material comprises stainless steel, high-density polyethylene, polycarbonate, styrene acrylonitrile resin, melamine, copolyester, or combinations thereof. 
     114. The mold of embodiment 107, wherein the at least one opening configured for fluid communication of the top portion is configured to allow for fluid which is to be frozen to be introduced into void defined by an inner surface of the first tube, an outer surface of the second tube, and the first engagement structure of the base portion. 
     115. The mold of embodiment 107, wherein the at least one opening configured for fluid communication of the top portion is configured to allow for a portion of fluid within the mold to escape upon expansion of the fluid due to freezing. 
     116. The mold of embodiment 107, wherein the first tube comprises a rigid material. 
     117. The mold of embodiment 116, wherein the rigid material comprises stainless steel, high-density polyethylene, polycarbonate, styrene acrylonitrile resin, melamine, copolyester, or combinations thereof. 
     118. The mold of embodiment 107, wherein engagement of the first tube with the first engagement structure of the base portion forms a leakproof seal. 
     119. The mold of embodiment 107, wherein the second tube comprises a rigid material. 
     120. The mold of embodiment 119, wherein the rigid material comprises stainless steel, high-density polyethylene, polycarbonate, styrene acrylonitrile resin, melamine, copolyester, or combinations thereof. 
     121. The mold of embodiment 107, wherein the second tube is configured to allow a user or user device to engage the second tube above the tube opening for manipulation of the mold. 
     122. The mold of embodiment 107, wherein engagement of the second tube with the second engagement structure of the base portion forms a leakproof seal. 
     123. The mold of embodiment 107, wherein the first tube is configured to conduct heat. 
     124. The mold of embodiment 107, wherein the second tube is configured to conduct heat. 
     125. A method of forming a degradable drinking straw comprising: introducing a liquid into a mold; subjecting the mold and its contained liquid to a temperature at or below the freezing point of the liquid; maintaining the mold and its contained liquid at the temperature at or below the freezing point of the liquid until the liquid within the mold has frozen and formed a frozen structure comprising an outer surface which defines an inner void, wherein the inner void is configured to provide a fluid conduit which spans at least a portion of the length of the frozen structure; subjecting the mold and its contained frozen structure to a temperature at or above the melting point of the frozen structure; maintaining the mold and its contained structure at the temperature at or above the melting point of the frozen structure until the frozen structure can be removed from the mold as the degradable drinking straw; and removing the frozen structure from the mold. 
     126. The method of embodiment 125, further comprising: removing the frozen structure from the mold via dissembling at least a portion of the mold, wherein the mold comprises: a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises at least two tube engagement structures; a top portion, wherein the top portion comprises at least one opening configured for fluid communication, a tube engagement structure, and a tube opening; a first tube, wherein the first tube is configured to engage a first engagement structure of the base portion and also engage the top portion; and a second tube, wherein the second tube is configured to engage a second engagement structure of the base portion, pass through the tube opening of the top portion, and substantially reside within the interior of the first tube. 
     127. The method of embodiment 125, wherein subjecting the mold and its contained liquid to a temperature at or below the freezing point of the liquid comprises placing the mold and its contained liquid into a compartment of a refrigeration unit, wherein the a temperature of the compartment is at or below the freezing point of the liquid. 
     128. The method of embodiment 126, wherein subjecting the mold and its contained liquid to a temperature at or below the freezing point of the liquid comprises placing the mold and its contained liquid into a compartment of a refrigeration unit, wherein the a temperature of the compartment is at or below the freezing point of the liquid. 
     129. The method of embodiment 126, further comprising assembling the mold. 
     130. The method of embodiment 129, wherein assembling the mold comprises: engaging the base portion with the first tube via the first engagement structure of the base portion; introducing the second tube into the interior of the first tube; engaging the base portion with the second tube via the second engagement structure of the base portion; placing the second tube through the tube opening of the top portion; and securing the top portion to the first tube via the tube engagement structure. 
     131. The method of embodiment 126, wherein disassembling at least a portion of the mold comprises: removing the top portion from its engagement with the first tube via manipulation of the tube engagement structure; disassociating the top portion from the second tube via removal of the second tube from the tube opening; disengaging the second tube from the base portion; and removing the second tube from the interior of the first tube. 
     132. The method of embodiment 131, wherein removing the second tube from the interior of the first tube facilitates recovery of the degradable drinking straw via reducing any air pressure forces which may impede removal of the frozen structure from the mold. 
     133. A degradable drinking straw comprising: a frozen liquid, wherein the frozen liquid forms a wall which comprises an inner void, wherein the inner void provides a fluid conduit which passes through the frozen liquid. 
     134. The degradable drinking straw of embodiment 133, wherein the wall comprises an outer diameter and an inner diameter, wherein the inner diameter spans the inner void. 
     135. The degradable drinking straw of embodiment 134, wherein the degradable drinking straw comprises a length between about 3.0 inches and about 10.0 inches. 
     136. The degradable drinking straw of embodiment 135, wherein the outer diameter is between about 0.5 inches and 1.5 inches. 
     137. The degradable drinking straw of embodiment 136, wherein the inner diameter is between about 0.1 inches and 0.5 inches. 
     138. The degradable drinking straw of embodiment 137, wherein the degradable drinking straw comprises a substantially cylindrical shape. 
     139. The degradable drinking straw of embodiment 138, wherein the inner diameter is substantially constant from a first end of the wall to a second end of the wall. 
     140. The degradable drinking straw of embodiment 138, wherein the inner diameter reduces in size from a first end of the wall to a second end of the wall. 
     141. The degradable drinking straw of embodiment 134, wherein the degradable drinking straw comprises a substantially conical shape. 
     142. The degradable drinking straw of embodiment 141, wherein the outer diameter reduces in size from a first end of the wall to a second end of the wall. 
     143. The degradable drinking straw of embodiment 141, wherein the inner diameter is substantially constant from a first end of the wall to a second end of the wall. 
     144. The degradable drinking straw of embodiment 141, wherein the inner diameter reduces in size from a first end of the wall to a second end of the wall. 
     145. The degradable drinking straw of embodiment 134, wherein the degradable drinking straw comprises an irregular shape. 
     146. The degradable drinking straw of embodiment 144, wherein the inner diameter is substantially constant from a first end of the wall to a second end of the wall. 
     147. The degradable drinking straw of embodiment 144, wherein the inner diameter reduces in size from a first end of the wall to a second end of the wall. 
     148. The degradable drinking straw of embodiment 133, further comprising a cap, wherein the cap is configured to fit over a top end of the degradable drinking straw to prevent a user&#39;s mouth from directly contacting the degradable drinking straw. 
     149. The degradable drinking straw of embodiment 148, wherein the cap comprises paper, plastic, wax, or combinations thereof. 
     While various embodiments in accordance with the principles disclosed herein have been shown and described above, modifications thereof may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the teachings of the disclosure. The embodiments described herein are representative only and are not intended to be limiting. Many variations, combinations, and modifications are possible and are within the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that result from combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of the embodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above, but is defined by the claims which follow that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the present invention(s). Furthermore, any advantages and features described above may relate to specific embodiments, but shall not limit the application of such issued claims to processes and structures accomplishing any or all of the above advantages or having any or all of the above features. 
     Additionally, the section headings used herein are provided for consistency with the suggestions under 37 C.F.R. 1.77 or to otherwise provide organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. Specifically and by way of example, although the headings might refer to a “Field,” the claims should not be limited by the language chosen under this heading to describe the so-called field. Further, a description of a technology in the “Background” is not to be construed as an admission that certain technology is prior art to any invention(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the “Summary” to be considered as a limiting characterization of the invention(s) set forth in issued claims. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to “invention” in the singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple inventions may be set forth according to the limitations of the multiple claims issuing from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the invention(s), and their equivalents, that are protected thereby. In all instances, the scope of the claims shall be considered on their own merits in light of this disclosure, but should not be constrained by the headings set forth herein. 
     Use of broader terms such as “comprises,” “includes,” and “having” should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as “consisting of,” “consisting essentially of,” and “comprised substantially of.” Use of the terms “optionally,” “may,” “might,” “possibly,” and the like with respect to any element of an embodiment means that the element is not required, or alternatively, the element is required, both alternatives being within the scope of the embodiment(s). Also, references to examples are merely provided for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to be exclusive. 
     While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details given herein. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated in another system or certain features may be omitted or not implemented. 
     Also, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as directly coupled or communicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicating through some interface, device, or intermediate component, whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.