Patent Publication Number: US-2023140521-A1

Title: Telescopic paper drinking straw

Description:
The object of the invention is a telescopic paper drinking straw. 
     The invention relates to beverage drinking straws, in particular telescopic straws made of biodegradable materials such as paper. 
     In the food industry, straws which are usually made of plastic and pose a serious threat to ecosystems due to their long decay period of up to 200 years are used to drink various kinds of beverages. These may be both one-part and two-part straws, straight straws or bent straws. Plastic straws are made as one straight element or as an element having an articulated part allowing to bend it. Two-part straws usually have in their structure a lock connecting both parts so that after inserting one part into the other a beverage may be consumed with an already assembled straw without a fear that the connection will be leaky. Such connection allows taking a straw off, for example before wrapping the straw into a foil from which the straw is removed before consuming a beverage and which is unfolded to its maximum length. Such straws are referred to as telescopic straws. 
     Telescopic drinking straws, in particular made of plastic materials, are known in the prior art. 
     From the document EP0139074A is known a telescopic drinking straw provided with an outer straw and an inner straw. The inner straw has an extended part at the base, while the outer straw is narrowed at its tip. Transitions between the diameters are in both cases gradual so that the straws have a conical shape. The outer straw is provided with a part having a slightly reduced diameter, and the inner straw is provided with a part having a slightly increased diameter so that in an unfolded configuration the part with increased diameter of the inner straw overlaps the part with reduced diameter of the outer straw. 
     The publication DE20309272U1 disclosed a telescopic straw provided with an outer straw with embossing directed to the inside of the outer straw and an inner straw provided with embossing directed to the inside of the inner straw. Due to the corresponding shape of the embossing, the embossing of the outer straw adapts to the embossing in the inner straw and fixes the inner straw inside the outer straw. 
     In the publication U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,182 is disclosed a telescopic straw in which the inner straw is provided with an extension at one end, and the outer straw is successively clamped on the inner straw to form a unit preventing the inner straw from sliding out. 
     The object of the invention is a telescopic paper drinking straw comprising: a first straw with a first outer diameter, a second straw with a second inner diameter, whereas the straw with the first outer diameter is situated at least partly inside the straw with the second inner diameter, coaxially with the straw with the second inner diameter. The straw according to the invention is characterised in that the first straw has at least two locking elements protruding from the outer surface of the first straw, and the second straw has at least two locking elements protruding from the inner surface of the second straw. 
     The paper straw according to the invention is characterised in that at least two locking elements protruding from the inner surface of the second straw are arranged at a distance of at least half the diameter of the first straw. 
     The paper straw according to the invention is characterised in that at least two locking elements protruding from the outer surface of the first straw are arranged at a distance of at least half the diameter of the first straw. 
     The paper straw according to the invention is characterised in that the distance between the first and second locking elements on the first and second straw, respectively, is at least 2 mm. 
     The paper straw according to the invention is characterised in that the locking elements have the form of ring-shaped embosses. 
     The paper straw according to the invention is characterised in that the locking elements have different height or width. 
     The paper straw according to the invention is characterised in that the locking elements are adapted to form a seal of a telescopic joint. 
     The paper straw according to the invention is characterised in that at least one locking element on the first straw is situated at a distance of at least half the diameter of the first straw from one of its ends. 
     The paper straw according to the invention is characterised in that at least one locking element on the second straw is situated at a distance of at least half the diameter of the second straw from one of its ends. 
     The paper straw according to the invention is characterised in that the inner diameter of the second straw at one end is smaller than the outer diameter of the first straw. 
     The paper straw according to the invention is characterised in that at least two locking elements of the first straw and at least two locking elements of the second straw are arranged at a distance corresponding to the diameter of the first straw. 
     The paper straw according to the invention is characterised in that the distance between the locking elements of the first straw is greater than the width of the locking element of the second straw, and the distance between the locking elements of the second straw is greater than the width of the locking element of the first straw. 
     The paper straw according to the invention is characterised by having two configurations, whereas in the first configuration the first straw is substantially inside the second straw, and a part of the first straw protrudes from the second straw allowing pulling the first straw out of the second straw, while in the second configuration the first straw is substantially pulled out of the second straw so that at least one locking element of the first straw is situated between the locking elements of the second straw, or at least one locking element of the second straw is situated between the locking elements of the first straw. 
     The paper straw according to the invention is characterised in that in the second configuration, in the first working position, one of the locking elements of the first straw is situated between the locking elements of the second straw, and in the second working position the second locking element of the first straw is situated between the locking elements of the second straw. 
     The paper straw according to the invention is characterised in that, in the second configuration, the lateral surface of at least one locking element of the first straw protruding from the external surface of the first straw is in contact with the lateral surface of at least one element protruding from the internal surface of the second straw. 
     An advantage of the paper telescopic straw is its biodegradability. Moreover, advantageous features of the telescopic joint ensure that the telescopic straw maintains its axial stability in the unfolded configuration. Another advantage of the telescopic straw according to the invention is that during unfolding the user clearly feels the moment when the first locking elements squeeze through and may easily stop the unfolding movement, at the same time retaining the possibility to unfold the straw completely if necessary. Moreover, the straw according to the invention minimizes the material consumption while maintaining the axial stability, and also improves the safety of use because in case of an accident the straw folds to minimum dimensions. 
    
    
     
       The object of the invention is shown in detail in a preferred embodiment in a drawing in which: 
         FIG.  1    shows a cross-section through a telescopic straw according to the invention; 
         FIG.  2    shows a cross-section through a locking area of the telescopic straw; 
         FIG.  3    shows a cross-section through an inner straw of the telescopic straw; 
         FIG.  4    shows the inner straw of the telescopic straw in an isometric view; 
         FIG.  5   a    shows a cross-section through a fragment of the telescopic straw with a locking element of the inner straw; 
         FIG.  5   b    shows a cross-section through a fragment of connection between the telescopic straw and a locking element of an outer straw; 
         FIG.  6   a    shows a cross-section through the inner straw of the telescopic straw according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  6   b    shows a cross-section through the outer straw of the telescopic straw according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  6   c    shows a cross-section through the connection of the telescopic straw according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  7   a    shows a cross-section through the inner straw of the telescopic straw according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  7   b    shows a cross-section through the inner straw of the telescopic straw according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  8   a    shows the telescopic straw filled with liquid in a first working position; 
         FIG.  8   b    shows the telescopic straw filled with liquid in an intermediate working position; 
         FIG.  8   c    shows the telescopic straw filled with liquid in a second working position; 
         FIG.  9    shows the inner straw of the telescopic straw in another embodiment; 
         FIG.  10   a    shows the telescopic straw with a creased end according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  10   b    shows the telescopic straw with a creased end according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  11   a    shows a cross-section through a fragment of the inner straw with a locking element of the telescopic straw; 
         FIG.  11   b    shows a cross-section through a fragment of the inner straw with the locking element of the telescopic straw according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  12    shows the telescopic straw in its first configuration; 
         FIG.  12   b    shows the telescopic straw in the first configuration in the second embodiment; 
     
    
    
       FIG.  1    shows the first embodiment of a telescopic paper straw according to the invention. The telescopic straw substantially comprises a first straw  10  with a first outer diameter d 1  and a second straw  20  with a second inner diameter d 2 . The straw  10  is situated coaxially with the straw  20  having the second diameter and at least partly inside the straw  20 . A part of the straw  10  protrudes out of the straw  20  to facilitate pulling the first straw  10  out of the second straw  20 . 
     The first straw  10  has at least two locking elements  11 ,  12  protruding from its outer surface  13 , while the second straw  20  has at least two locking elements  21 ,  22  protruding inwards from its inner surface  23 . 
     In  FIG.  1   , the straw according to the first embodiment of the invention was shown in an extended configuration in one of the working positions. 
     The straws  10  and  20  are spiral straws made of at least two paper bands, preferably of three paper bands, joined by means of an appropriate adhesive suitable for food applications. Such straws are biodegradable and do not permanently contaminate the environment. 
       FIG.  2    shows the second straw  20  and an outline of the first straw  10 , in addition, locking elements  21  and  22  situated on the second straw  20  and protruding from the inner surface  23  of the straw  20  are clearly shown. The locking elements  21 ,  22  have the form of circumferential embosses directed towards the inside of the second straw  20 . As the paper of which the straw is made is a material of cellulose fibres, it is susceptible to shaping, e.g. extrusion or embossing, whereas it retains a certain degree of elasticity, which has an advantageous effect on the sealing properties of the telescopic joint. 
     Traditional telescopic joints of paper straws are characterised by axial instability resulting from the bending torque that occurs when forces are applied perpendicularly to the axis of the extended straw  10 . A solution to this problem is introducing at least two locking means situated at a distance of l 1 , l 2  from each other, of at least half the diameter d 1  of the inner straw  10 . It is advantageous to use a joint having at least two points of contact between the first straw  10  and the second straw  20 . In the cross-sectional view, the places of contact have the form of points, while in a three-dimensional object they form circles around the circumference of the straws. In the embodiment shown, there are four contact points  14 ,  15 ,  24 ,  25  of the first straw  10  with the second straw  20 . The contact points  14 ,  15 ,  24 ,  25  are formed by contacts of the locking elements  11 ,  12  of the first straw with the inner surface  23  of the second straw  20  and by contacts of the locking elements  21 ,  22  of the second straw  20  with the outer surface  13  of the first straw  10 . Depending on dimensions of the straws, advantageous effects of axial stabilisation may be observed already for 2 mm spacing of the locking elements  21  and  22  on the straw  20 , whereas in this case the straw  20  has an inner diameter of approx. 4 mm. Considerable spacing of the locking elements  21 ,  22  from each other on the straw  20 , although it brings a further increase in the stabilisation effect, is not practical as it contributes to an increase in material consumption for the final product, thus an increase in the stabilisation area generates material costs which smooth away the advantageous stabilisation effects in an overall evaluation of the telescopic paper straw production process. 
       FIG.  3    shows the first straw  10  which is provided with the first locking elements  11  and the second locking elements  12  protruding from the outer surface  13  of the straw  10 . The straw  10  works with the straw  20 , therefore the arrangement of the locking elements on the straw  10  should substantially correspond to the arrangement of the locking elements on the straw  20 . In the case of the straw  10  the locking elements  11  and  12  are arranged at a distance l 1  of at least half the diameter d 1  of the straw  10 . It corresponds to the arrangement of the locking elements  21 ,  22  on the straw  20 . 
       FIG.  4    shows the first straw  10  in an isometric view, in particular the shape of the locking elements  11 ,  12  is shown. In combination with the cross-section of  FIGS.  5   a  and  5   b   , it can be seen that the locking elements  11  and  12  have the shape of embosses made substantially on the whole circumference of the straw  10 . The locking elements  11  and  12  may have the form of embosses due to the use of paper as the material of which the telescopic straw is made. The paper, as a material composed of fibres, is susceptible to embossing. Despite the embossing, such material retains to some extent its natural elasticity, which allows to build the telescopic straw with the locking elements  11  and  12  maintaining the tightness of connection, and at the same time yielding when a certain limiting axial force is applied to the straw  10 —which allows to extend the telescopic straw. The locking elements  11  and  12  having the form of embosses allow at the same time to keep the telescopic straw in an extended configuration as both complete extending and folding of the telescopic straw require the first limiting axial force to be applied again to the straw  10 . The locking elements  21 ,  22  of the straw  20  have a similar structure, but the locking elements  21 ,  22  of the straw  20  are directed towards the inside of straw  20 .  FIG.  5   a    shows contact points  14 ,  15  of the locking elements  11 , 12  of the first straw  10  with the inner surface  23  of the second straw  20 . Since in this embodiment the locking elements  11 ,  12  are substantially identical and form the same contact points, they were marked in the figure as the same element. The tightness of connection between the straws  10  and  20  is ensured by the elasticity of the material of the locking elements  11 ,  12  which impact the inner surface  23  of the straw  20  with their top part  16 ,  17  by forming the contact points  14 ,  15 . A similar situation occurs in the case of the connection between the straws  10  and  20  shown in  FIG.  5   b   . The top parts  26 ,  27  of the locking elements  21 ,  22  of the straw  20  form the contact points  24 ,  25  with the outer surface  13  of the straw  10  which ensure the support and the stability as well as the tightness of the joint. 
       FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  show the first straw  10  and the second straw  20 , respectively, together with the corresponding locking elements  11 ′,  12 ′ and  21 ′,  22 ′. In this embodiment, the locking elements  11 ′ and  12 ′ have different heights h 1t  and h 12 , and the locking elements  21 ′ and  22 ′ have different heights h 21  and h 22 , respectively. It should be also noted that h 11 &gt;h 12 , and h 21 &gt;h 22 , in another embodiment not shown in the figures, the relationship of heights of the locking elements is opposite, and h 11 &lt;h 12 , and h 21 &lt;h 22 . 
       FIG.  6   c    shows a joint of the straws  10  and  20  having the locking elements  11 ′,  12 ′ and  21 ′,  22 ′, respectively. The first contact point  24  is formed at the point of contact of the top part  26  of the locking element  21 ′ of the straw  20  with the outer surface  13  of the straw  10 . The second contact point  14  is formed at the point of contact of the top part  16  of the locking element  11 ′ of the straw  10  with the inner surface  23  of the straw  20 . In the case of the locking elements  12 ′ and  22 ′ whose height is smaller than the height of the locking elements  11 ′ and  21 ′, the contact points will be at the point  15 ′ for the locking element  12 ′, respectively, whereas the contact point  16 ′ is formed at the point of contact of the top lateral part  17 ′ with the top lateral part  27 ′ of the locking element  22 ′. The locking elements  12 ″ and  22 ′ in this embodiment act more as a threshold informing the user, pulling the straw  10  out of the straw  20  to the working position, that the first locking element  21 ′ has passed through the locking element  12 ′, thus that the force used to pull the straw  10  out of the straw  20  needs to be reduced. 
       FIG.  7 A  shows the straw  10  with the locking elements  11  and  12  having the width w 11  and w 12 , respectively, where w 11 &gt;w 12 . In other embodiments not shown in the figures, the relationship of the width of the locking elements may be opposite, where w 11 &lt;w 12 . 
       FIG.  7 B  shows an embodiment wherein the straw  10  is provided with the locking elements  11  and  12  having different widths and heights, whereas h 11 &gt;h 12  and w 11 &gt;w 12 . In other embodiments, it is possible to use other combinations of height and width of the locking elements  11  and  12 . The height and the width of the locking elements  21  and  22  formed on the straw  20  are subject to the same variability. With increasing width of the locking element, there is also an increase in the tightness of the telescopic joint and at the same time in the limiting axial force required to unfold the telescopic straw. Similar technical effects are observed when the height of the locking elements is increased. 
       FIG.  8   a    shows the telescopic straw in the extended configuration in the first working position, filled with liquid F. The first working position occurs when the locking element  11  is between the locking elements  21  and  22  of the straw  20 . The locking element  12  of the straw  10  touches the inner surface  23  of the straw  20  at the point of contact  15  and creates an airtight barrier preventing the penetration of the liquid F into the space between the locking elements  11 ,  12 . An additional barrier is formed by the locking element  22  of the straw  20  which contacts the outer surface  13  of the straw  10 . The locking elements  11  and  21  of the straws  10  and  20 , respectively, form subsequent barriers preventing the penetration of the liquid F through the telescopic joint and a lock against slipping out of the straw  10  from the straw  20  when pulling the straw  10  out of the straw  20  in the direction D. The spacing of the locking elements  11 ,  12  and  21  and  22  results in a limitation of the possibility of reciprocal displacement of the straws  10  and  20 . In addition, as explained above, it increases the axial stability of the telescopic straw in the extended position, which also contributes to an increase in tightness of the joint as it limits the leakage of the liquid F through subsequent sealing barriers even if a significant force is applied to the pulled out end of the straw  10  in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, which results in the occurrence of a rotating moment having a tendency to unseal the tight barrier formed by the element  12  and also the element  22 . Additional tight barriers are also formed by contacting lateral surfaces of the locking elements  12  and  22 , as well as by contacting lateral surfaces of the locking elements  11  and  21 . These additional barriers have an advantageous effect on increasing the tightness of the telescopic joint. 
     The telescopic straw in  FIG.  8   b    is in an intermediate position between the first position and the second working position in the extended configuration. In the intermediate position, the locking element  11  of the straw  10  has been moved behind the locking element  21  of the straw  20  when pulling the straw  10  out in the direction D, and the locking element  12  is between the locking elements  21  and  22  of the straw  20 . During further pulling of the straw  10  out of the outer straw  20 , the telescopic straw passes to the second working position shown in  FIG.  8   c   . In the second working position, the locking element  12  of the straw  10  is between two locking elements  21 ,  22  of the outer straw  20  as in the intermediate position described above. In addition, the lateral surfaces of the locking elements  12  and  21  come into contact with each other and form additional tight barriers. To ensure the rigidity of the telescopic straw, the stability and the tightness of the joint, the joint between the straws  10  and  20  should have at least two points of support. In this embodiment, in the second working position, there are three points of support at the contact points  14 ,  15  of the locking elements  11  and  12  with the inner surface  23  of the straw  20 , and at the contact point  24  of the locking element  21  of the straw  20  with the outer surface  13  of the straw  10 . In order to provide three points of support, it is important that the length l 22  of the outer straw  20  from its edge to the first locking element  21  is greater than or equal to the length l 1  of the distance between the two locking elements  11  and  12  of the straw  10 . The same condition may also be fulfilled in a configuration not shown in the figure where the distance between the second locking element  12  of the straw  10  and its edge is greater than or equal to the length of the distance between the locking elements  21  and  22  of the straw  20 . 
       FIG.  9    shows another embodiment of the telescopic straw, in particular  FIG.  9    shows the straw  10  with the locking elements  11  and  12 . It should be noted that the locking element  12  is situated at a distance of l 12  from the end of the straw  10 , and the straw  10  has a diameter d 1 . In the preferred embodiment, the distance l 12  is less than half the diameter of the straw  10 . It is advantageous to minimise the distance l 12  due to the resulting material savings. 
     The straw  20 , at the end  40  without the locking elements  21 ,  22 , has an inner diameter d 22  smaller than the outer diameter d 1  of the straw  10 . The diameter reduction has the form of a circumferential crease  41  and prevents the straw  10  from slipping out of the straw  20  through the end  40  when the telescopic straw is in the folded configuration in which most of the straw  10  is inside the straw  20 .  FIG.  10   a    shows an embodiment with the crease  41  wherein the end  40  of the straw  22  without the locking elements  21 ,  22  has a diameter d 22 &lt;d 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  10   a   , the locking elements  11 ,  12  of the straw  10  are spaced at the distance l 1 , and the locking elements  21 ,  22  of the straw  20  are spaced at the distance l 2 , where l 1 ≈l 2 ≈d 1 . It was determined through tests that advantageous spacing of the locking elements for both elements  11  and  12  and elements  21 ,  22  is the distance corresponding to the diameter d 1  of the straw  10 . This allows achieving a compromise between ensuring the axial stability of the telescopic joint and the material consumption associated with the formation of a stabilisation area in which both straws  10  and  20  are inserted into each other when the telescopic straw is in the extended configuration. 
       FIG.  10   b    shows another embodiment of the outer straw  20  whose end  40  has a minimum crease  41 ′. The distance l 4  corresponds to the length of the straw&#39;s  20  end section which has been creased inwards. The distance l 4  should extend radially inside the straw as deep as to come up at least to the inner surface of the  18  inner straw  10 .  FIG.  11   a    shows, in close-up, a fragment of the telescopic straw with clearly visible locking elements  11  and  12  of the straw  10  and locking elements  21 ,  22  of the straw  20 . In  FIG.  11   a   , the width of the locking element  11  is marked as w 11  and the width of the locking element  22  as w 22 . The distance between the locking elements  11  and  12  is marked as l 1  and the distance between the locking elements  21  and  22  as l 2 . In this embodiment, the distance l 1  is greater than the width w 11 , and the distance l 2  is greater than the width w 22 . 
       FIG.  11   b    shows the locking element  21 ″ as a locking element formed at the end of the straw  20  as a crease or a collar, which allows using to the maximum the material of which the telescopic straw is made. 
       FIG.  12   a    shows the telescopic straw in the first configuration, i.e. in the folded (or transport) configuration. In this configuration, most of the straw  10  is situated inside the straw  20  and is held inside the straw by the crease  41  of the free end of the straw  40 , i.e. the end at which the locking elements  21 ,  22  were not formed. In the folded configuration, the telescopic straw has a smaller overall length. It is also the configuration in which the telescopic straw is attached to the package of e.g. a beverage. 
       FIG.  12   b    shows the telescopic straw in the second configuration in the first working position. In this position, the straw  10  is pulled out of the straw  20  so that the locking elements  11  have been pushed through the locking elements  22  and are in the area between the locking elements  21  and  22 . In the second working position, the lateral surfaces of the locking elements  11  and  21  and the locking elements  12  and  22  contact each other, which increases the tightness of the telescopic joint. 
     Puling the straw  10  out to the first working position requires the first limiting force to be applied axially. Passing through a clamp in the form of the locking elements  22  by the locking elements  11  is clearly perceptible to the user and allows reducing the axial force with which the straw  10  is pulled out below the threshold of the first limiting force and stabilising the telescopic straw in its first working position. If the locking elements  21 ,  22  and  11  and  12  are placed too close to each other, the user may not be able to reduce the axial force with which the straw  10  is pulled out below the threshold of the first limiting force, which will result in the locking element  11  passing through the locking elements  21 . This will cause a loss of axial stability of the telescopic joint, but will not yet lead to unsealing because at least the seal resulting from the contact of the locking element  12  with the inner wall  23  of the straw  20  will be maintained. Only if pulling out the straw  10  with an axial force above the first limiting force is continued, the locking element  12  will pass through the locking element  21  and lead to inevitable unsealing of the telescopic joint when the locking element  12  slides out of the straw  20 . 
     As regards  FIGS.  12   a  and  12   b   , it should be noted that the straw  10  may also be passed through the crease  41  formed at the free end  40  of the straw  20  when it is pushed into the straw  20  by applying an axial force above the second limiting force to the straw  10 . The ability to squeeze through the creased free end of the straw  20  is an important function increasing the safety of use of the telescopic straw, e.g. in the event of a fall when drinking a beverage through the telescopic straw, the telescopic straw will fold to the minimum length and minimise possible injuries. 
     A method of manufacturing and an apparatus for manufacturing the paper telescopic straw according to the invention were described in the European patent application EP20171882.2 the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.