Patent Publication Number: US-2022213908-A1

Title: Drinking straw assembly and related methods

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to improved drinking straw design and related methods. More specifically, the present invention relates to an assembly-style drinking straw that allows for the straw to be effectively washed and sanitized for repeated use. 
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Modern consumers are more environmentally conscious and desire to utilize reusable products to reduce the overall amount of waste that they generate. There are reusable drink cups that have been developed to accommodate consumers&#39; desires for reusable drink and food containers. These drink cups have become prevalent and some are designed to be used with a straw (e.g., they may have a lid that includes a hole for accepting a straw). However, the straws that typically come with these drink cups quickly become unsanitary because it is difficult to access the interior of these straws, and bacteria and debris can accumulate inside the straw, as a result. 
     The present invention provides an assembly-style straw for repeated use. The straw may include at least two separable portions held together by a connecting mechanism, allowing the straw to be separated into separate parts so that the interior of the straw can be cleaned. The novel design of the new straw addresses the design drawbacks of existing washable, reusable straw designs. 
     The present invention provides a straw assembly that includes two longitudinal sections that connect to complete cylinder of the straw. The assembled and disassembled straw has a first body portion that is a portion of a cylinder and a predetermined thickness and a second body portion complementary to the first body portion that may be connected to the first body portion to form a complete cylindrical section of the straw. In some embodiments, the first body portion may include a first connecting device present on an edge thereof, and the second body portion may include a second connecting device present on an edge of the second body portion. The first connecting device and the second connecting device may be arranged in a manner that they are aligned with the first body portion and the second body portion are aligned and connected in a functioning, cylindrical straw configuration. However, it is contemplated in the present invention that the perimeter shape of the straw may have other shapes, including polygonal (e.g., triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, etc.), elliptical, and irregular shapes. 
     The connecting mechanism of the presently disclosed assembly-style straw may be a magnetic clasp, where the first connecting device and the second device are arranged such that they have opposing polarities when the first and second portions are properly aligned in straw functional straw configuration. In other embodiments, the first connecting device and the second connecting device may have complementary shaped protrusion(s) and recess(es) that may be pressure fit together when the first and second portions are properly aligned in straw functional straw configuration. For example, the connecting device of the present invention may include complementary pressure fitting male and female connectors on each of the portions of the straw (e.g., tongue-and-groove-style connectors). In other examples, the connecting mechanism may be a clasp on a first portion of the straw that applies pressure to the exterior surface of the second portion of the straw when the straw is assembled. Other connecting mechanisms are contemplated within the scope of the present invention as well. 
     In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of using a washable straw, comprising separating a first connectable portion of the washable straw having a first clasping element from a second connectable portion having a second clasping element to expose an interior of the washable straw; washing the interior portion of the washable straw, wherein an inner side of the first connectable portion and an inner side of the second connectable portion are accessible when the first connectable portion and the second connectable portion are separated, and the first connecting surface and the second connecting surface are non-planar and complementary; and reconnecting the first connectable portion and the second connectable portion of the washable straw by connecting the first clasping element to the second clasping element. 
     In some embodiments, the two portions of the straw may be connected to each other by a joint. In some embodiments, the joint may be a hinge-type joint, such as a hinge that is integrally formed with the two portions of the straw. In other embodiments, the hinge joint may include integrated knuckles and a pin (like a Butt hinge). The hinge joint may allow the portions of the straw to be held together. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1-14  provide views of a straw according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 15-28  provide views of a straw according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 29-42  provide views of a straw according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 43-56  provide views of a straw according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in reference to these embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that are included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In the following disclosure, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. 
     As demonstrated in  FIGS. 1-14 , in some embodiments the straw  100  may include a first portion  101  and second portion  102  that are complementary to one another and can be combined into a functioning assembled straw  100   a.  The portions  101  and  102  may be connected and held together by a connecting mechanism  105  in surfaces  105 A. The connecting mechanism  105  may include complementary magnetic strips of opposing polarities that cause the magnets to be drawn together. In some embodiments, the magnets may be included in curved, complementary interfacing surfaces  105 A. For example, the interfacing surfaces may have a roughly sinusoidal curving surface to create more surface area between the two portions  101  and  102  of the straw and thus better frictional interaction between the two portions  101  and  102  of the straw. In such embodiments, the surfaces  105 A may have a plurality of magnets (e.g., magnetic strips) in different curved portions of each surface  105 A in order to allow the magnets to be embedded therein without creating substantial irregularities in the surface curvature of surfaces  105 A. Having multiple magnetic strips may also create magnetic connections in differing and intersecting planes, which may enhance the strength of the connection between portions  101  and  102 . See, e.g.,  FIG. 3A  providing a cross-section view 
     As demonstrated in  FIGS. 15-28 , in some embodiments the straw  200  may include a first portion  201  and second portion  202  that are complementary to one another and can be combined into a functioning assembled straw  200   a.  The portions  101  and  102  may be connected by a hinge joint  210  that allows the straw  200  to be opened by pivoting the two portions  101  and  102  around the hinge  210 . When the straw  200   a  is closed, it may be held together by a connecting mechanism  205 . The connecting mechanism  205  may include complementary magnetic strips of opposing polarities that cause the magnets to be drawn together. 
     As demonstrated in  FIGS. 29-42 , in some embodiments the straw  300  may include a first portion  301  and second portion  302  that are complementary to one another and can be combined into a functioning assembled straw  300   a.  The portions  301  and  302  may be connected and held together by a connecting mechanism  305 . The connecting mechanism  305  may include complementary pressure fitting male and female connectors  305   a  and  305   b  (tongue-and-groove-style connectors). In some embodiments, the connection surfaces (e.g.,  305 A and  305 B) may have a plurality of magnets (e.g., magnetic strips) thereon, with different portions of the connection surfaces have separate magnets. The magnets may be embedded therein without creating substantial irregularities in the surfaces. Having multiple magnetic strips may also create magnetic connections in differing planes, which may enhance the strength of the connection between portions  301  and  302 . 
     As demonstrated in  FIGS. 43-56 , in some embodiments the straw  400  may include a first portion  401  and second portion  402  that are complementary to one another and can be combined into a functioning assembled straw  400   a.  The portions  401  and  402  may be connected by a hinge joint  410  that allows the straw  400  to be opened by pivoting the two portions  401  and  402  around the hinge  410 . When the straw  400   a  is closed, it may be held together by a connecting mechanism  405 . The connecting mechanism  405  may include a clasp on the portion  401  that grasps the exterior surface of the portion  402  to hold the assembled straw  400   a  together. 
     It should also be understood that the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.