U.S. patent application number 16/680448 was filed with the patent office on 2020-05-14 for cleanable straw.
The applicant listed for this patent is Project X, LLC. Invention is credited to Kyle K. Hill, Michael Horito, Fred Lillywhite, Ze Yu Liu, Kevin M. O'Barr, Beau Oyler, R. Camden Robinson, Jeremy C. Smith, Dayne Tanner, Sean D. Watkins.
Application Number | 20200146482 16/680448 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 70552240 |
Filed Date | 2020-05-14 |
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20200146482 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Watkins; Sean D. ; et
al. |
May 14, 2020 |
CLEANABLE STRAW
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a drinking straw may include a
first part that includes a manual manipulation feature and a second
part with an interior volume with an open side and at least one
open end. The first part may be configured to be accepted into the
interior volume and the manual manipulation feature of the first
part may be configured to extend through at least one of the open
side and open end.
Inventors: |
Watkins; Sean D.; (Spanish
Fork, UT) ; Hill; Kyle K.; (Farmington, UT) ;
Horito; Michael; (Provo, UT) ; O'Barr; Kevin M.;
(Orem, UT) ; Oyler; Beau; (Salt Lake City, UT)
; Robinson; R. Camden; (Lindon, UT) ; Smith;
Jeremy C.; (Orem, UT) ; Liu; Ze Yu; (Dongguan
City, CN) ; Lillywhite; Fred; (West Jordan, UT)
; Tanner; Dayne; (Salt Lake City, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Project X, LLC |
Provo |
UT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
70552240 |
Appl. No.: |
16/680448 |
Filed: |
November 11, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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29706618 |
Sep 21, 2019 |
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16680448 |
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29681021 |
Feb 21, 2019 |
D878843 |
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29706618 |
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62903793 |
Sep 21, 2019 |
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62806116 |
Feb 15, 2019 |
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62760009 |
Nov 12, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 21/18 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 21/18 20060101
A47G021/18 |
Claims
1. A drinking straw, wherein the straw extends in longitudinal,
lateral, and vertical directions, wherein longitudinal, lateral,
and vertical directions are mutually orthogonal, wherein extension
of the straw in the longitudinal direction defines a length of the
straw, and extension of the straw in the lateral and vertical
directions defines a diametrical cross section of the straw,
wherein: a first part comprises a manual manipulation feature; and
a second part comprises a cross sectional shape comprising a closed
surface defining an interior volume with an open side and at least
one open end, wherein the first part is configured to be accepted
into the interior volume and the manual manipulation feature of the
first part is configured to extend through at least one of the open
side and open end.
2. The drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the first part comprises
a first longitudinally separable part, and the second part
comprises a second longitudinally separable part, wherein the first
part and the second part join to form a tubular volume open at each
end; and the manual manipulation feature comprises a protrusion
extending radially outward from the first part, wherein the
protrusion is configured to be grasped by a thumb and opposing
finger of a user.
3. The straw of claim 2, wherein the protrusion comprises
indentations to receive fingertips and the protrusion is configured
to be pinched between the thumb and opposing finger of the
user.
4. The straw of claim 2, wherein the protrusion is symmetrical
about a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
5. The straw of claim 2, wherein the protrusion s configured such
that the straw can be removed from a drink without the user
touching a cylindrical body of the straw and wherein the protrusion
is configured to prevent the straw from sliding through a lid of
the drink.
6. The straw of claim 1, wherein the manual manipulation feature
comprises a protrusion of the first part extending out of the open
end of the enclosed volume of the second part.
7. The straw of claim 6, wherein the protrusion is configured to be
manually manipulated to separate an end of first part and from an
end of the second part.
8. A separable drinking straw comprising: a first part; a second
part; wherein the first part and the second part are configured to
join longitudinally to form an interior volume open at both ends,
and wherein the first part comprises longitudinal edges and the
second part comprises grooves on an interior surface of the second
part, wherein the longitudinal edges of the first part engage with
the grooves of the second part.
9. The drinking straw of claim 8, wherein longitudinal edges of the
second part press on an exterior surface of the first part, thereby
pressing the longitudinal edges of the first part into grooves of
the second part.
10. The drinking straw of claim 8, wherein the second part
comprises a cross section comprising a closed surface with an open
side, the closed surface defining an interior volume, wherein the
open side is configured to widen to accept the first part into the
interior volume.
11. The drinking straw of claim 8, wherein the first part and the
second part are configured to be joined by applying opposing
pressure applied to an exterior of the straw, a first pressure on
the first part and a second opposing pressure on the second
part.
12. A tube comprising: a first part; a second part, wherein at
least a portion of the first part is configured to slide within the
second part; wherein at least one of the first part and second part
comprises at least one stop, wherein the stop impedes relative
motion between the first part and second part in at least one
direction, wherein the tube is configured to separate along its
length into the first part and second part.
13. The tube of claim 12, wherein the stop is configured to align
the first part and the second part in a predetermined positional
relationship.
14. The tube of claim 12, wherein the first part comprises an end
and the second part comprises a cutout, wherein the cutout is
configured to at least partially receive the end of the first part
into an interior of the second part.
15. The tube of claim 14, wherein the first part is configured to
move within the second part after entering the cutout until the
first part engages with a stop in the second part.
16. The tube of claim 14, wherein the first part comprises an end,
the end comprising a modification configured to provide deeper
engagement of the end with an interior of the second part after
entering the cutout.
17. The tube of claim 16, wherein the modification is configured to
extend beyond an end of the second part when the first part is
engaged with the stop on the second part, wherein modification is
further configured to be a manually manipulable element to separate
the first part and the second part.
18. The tube of claim 12, wherein the tube comprises a drinking
straw.
19. The tube of claim 12, wherein the first part comprises
longitudinal edges and the second part comprises grooves on an
interior surface of the second part, wherein the longitudinal edges
of the first part engage with the grooves of the second part.
20. The drinking straw of claim 19, wherein longitudinal edges of
the second part press on an exterior surface of the first part,
thereby pressing the longitudinal edges of the first part into
grooves of the second part.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 USC .sctn.
119 to the following applications: U.S. Provisional Application No.
62/903,793, filed on Sep. 21, 2019; U.S. Provisional Application
No. 62/806,116, filed on Feb. 15, 2019; and U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/760,009, filed on Nov. 12, 2018. The present
application incorporates the above applications by reference in
their entireties.
[0002] The present application claims priority under 35 USC .sctn.
120 to the following applications: U.S. Design application Ser. No.
29/706,618, filed Sep. 21, 2019 and U.S. Design application Ser.
No. 29/681,021, filed Feb. 21, 2019. The present application
incorporates the above applications by reference in their
entireties.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The accompanying drawings illustrate various examples of the
principles described herein and are a part of the specification.
The illustrated examples are merely examples and do not limit the
scope of the claims.
[0004] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an illustrative separable
straw, according to one example of principles described herein.
[0005] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a lower end of a
separable straw, according to one example of principles described
herein.
[0006] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the upper end of a
separable straw, according to one example of principles described
herein.
[0007] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a separable straw,
according to one example of principles described herein.
[0008] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the lower end of a
separable straw, according to one example of principles described
herein.
[0009] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the upper end of a
separable straw, according to one example of principles described
herein.
[0010] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a separable straw,
according to one example of principles described herein.
[0011] FIG. 8 shows a cross-section view of a separable straw,
according to one example of principles described herein.
[0012] FIG. 9 shows a side view of a lower end of a separable
straw, according to one example of principles described herein.
[0013] FIG. 10 shows a side view of a lower end of a separable
straw, according to one example of principles described herein.
[0014] FIG. 11 shows a side view of a user separating an inner
piece and an outer piece of a separable straw, according to one
example of principles described herein.
[0015] FIG. 12 shows a side view of a first step in reassembling a
separable straw, according to one example of principles described
herein.
[0016] FIG. 13 shows a side view of a second step in reassembling a
separable straw, according to one example of principles described
herein.
[0017] FIG. 14A shows a side view of a third step in reassembling a
separable straw, according to one example of principles described
herein.
[0018] FIG. 14B shows a side view of a fourth step in reassembling
a separable straw, according to one example of principles described
herein.
[0019] FIG. 15 shows a longitudinal cross-section view of the lower
end of a separable straw, according to one example of principles
described herein.
[0020] FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 show a user reassembling a separable
straw, according to one example of principles described herein.
[0021] FIG. 19 shows a user grasping a protrusion on the straw with
his thumb and forefinger, according to one example of principles
described herein.
[0022] FIG. 20 shows a user grasping a protrusion on the straw to
remove the straw from a drinking container, according to one
example of principles described herein.
[0023] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers
designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Reference will now be made to the figures wherein like
structures will be provided with like reference designations. In
the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous
specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough
understanding of the present systems and methods. It will be
apparent, however, that systems and methods may be practiced
without these specific details. It is understood that the figures
are diagrammatic and schematic representations of some embodiments
of the invention, and are not limiting of the present invention,
nor are they necessarily drawn to scale. Reference in the
specification to "an example" or similar language means that a
particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in
connection with the example is included in at least that one
example, but not necessarily in other examples. Additionally,
features shown and/or described in connection with one figure may
be combined with features shown and/or described in connection with
other figures.
[0025] Standard drinking straws are tubes that are used to suck
liquid from a container into a user's mouth. Many drinking straws
are designed to be thrown away after one use, which requires a user
to purchase more straws and can contribute to wasting plastic.
Reusable straws are a common alternative. While reusable straws can
be used multiple times, residue from liquids can build up on the
inside surfaces of the straw. This makes it desirable for reusable
straws to be regularly cleaned. However, cleaning a reusable straw
can be difficult because of the limited access a user has to the
inside surfaces of the straw. Typically, the user must have special
tools to clean a reusable straw, such as a bottle/straw brush or
pipe cleaner. In addition, it is very difficult for a user to
inspect the inside of the reusable straw to make sure that the
straw is sufficiently clean. The interior of reusable straws cannot
be effectively cleaned in a dishwasher or other automatic washing
mechanism because the inside of the straw is so difficult to
access.
[0026] The principles described herein relate to a wide range of
tubes and/or cleanable straw configurations that can be split into
two or more pieces to allow a user to thoroughly clean and inspect
the inside surfaces of the tube/straw. The two pieces can then be
reassembled so that the tube/straw can be reused.
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one illustrative
embodiment of a separable tube or straw (100). In this embodiment,
the separable straw may include an outer piece (102) and an inner
piece (104). The outer piece (102) may partially enclose the inner
piece (104) to create a generally tubular space that can be used to
suck liquid into the user's mouth or otherwise transport a liquid.
The inner piece (104) and the outer piece (102) connect in such a
way as to form a seal between the inner piece (104) and the outer
piece (102). This seal minimizes air/liquid leaks along the length
(142) of the straw (100) when it is being used. In general, the
tube/straw (100) may extend in longitudinal, lateral, and vertical
directions as shown in by the coordinate axes in FIG. 1. The
longitudinal, lateral, and vertical directions are mutually
orthogonal. The extension of the straw (100) in the longitudinal
direction defines a length (142) of the straw and extension of the
straw in the lateral and vertical directions defines a diametrical
cross section (144, FIG. 8) of the straw. The tube/straw may
include a first open end (148) and a second open end (150).
[0028] In this example, the tube/straw (100) also has a
handle/tab/protrusion (112) extending from the inner piece (104).
This handle/tab (112) could be used for a variety of purposes such
as helping separate the inner piece (104) from the outer piece
(102), for manipulation of the tube/straw (100) without touching a
body of the tube/straw or could be used for aesthetic or other
purposes. In this example, the outer piece (102) also has an insert
cutout (108) which could be used to help a user insert the inner
piece (104) into the outer piece (102) when reassembling the
separable straw (100) after it has been separated for cleaning or
inspection. The end of the inner piece has a extension (106) that
may assist in the assembly and disassembly of the straw. Both the
handle/tab/protrusion (112) and the extension (106) on the end of
the inner piece are manually manipulable elements and protrusions
from the inner piece.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a close-up view of a lower end of the illustrative
separable straw (100). In this embodiment, the inner piece (104)
has a manually manipulatable element/protrusion (106) that extends
past the end (162) of the outer piece (102). This extension (106)
can be used by a user to help separate the inner piece (104) and
the outer piece (102) for cleaning or inspection purposes. For
example, this extension (106) may provide a surface that the user
could press against to separate the inner piece (104) from the
outer piece (102). In this embodiment, the outer piece (102) also
has a stopping structure (110) that stops the inner piece (104)
from sliding too far beyond the end (162) of the outer piece (102)
by contacting a corresponding surface on the inner piece (104). The
cutout (108) in the outer piece (102) is also shown. The abrupt
discontinuity in the angles of the extension (106) and the end
(162) of the outer piece may provide for more secure manipulation
by the user of the straw during the separation process. This is
further illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11. The interior volume
(126) of the straw is also shown. In general, this volume (126) is
tubular and enclosed with two open ends.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the upper end of the separable
straw (100) opposite the lower end shown in FIG. 2. As noted
earlier, in this embodiment a handle/tab (112) may extend from the
inner piece (104). This handle or tab is a protrusion from the
inner piece and is a manually manipulable element because it is
intended and configured for user interaction. Consequently, in the
specification and appended claims the handle or tab may also be
called by the more generic terms of protrusion or manually
manipulable element. The terms protrusion or manually manipulable
element may also be applied to the extension (106) from the end of
the inner piece (104).
[0031] The handle/tab (112) could be used to help separate the
inner piece (104) from the outer piece (102) for cleaning or
inspection and/or to manipulate the straw (100) without touching
the cylindrical body of the straw where the user's lips are placed
when the straw is in use. In this example, the handle/tab includes
indentations (113) on one or more sides to facilitate gripping of
the tab by the user. This is further illustrated in FIGS. 19 and
20.
[0032] The embodiment of the handle or tab shown is only one
example. In alternative embodiments, the handle (112) could be
connected to the outer piece (102) of the separable straw (100), or
a handle could be attached to the inner piece and an additional
handle could be connected to the outer piece. This could allow a
user to push or pull the two handles away from or toward each other
to assist in separating the inner piece (104) and outer piece (102)
of the separable straw (100). The handle or handles could also be
in different locations on the separable straw in different
embodiments of the principles described herein.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a separable straw (100). As
discussed above, the handle or tab (112) includes an indentation
(113) or other feature that facilitates manual manipulation by the
user. As discussed above and further described below, one
embodiment of the handle or tab (112) may include indentations
(113) to receive fingertips and the handle (112) is configured to
be pinched between the thumb (134, FIG. 19) and opposing finger
(132, FIG. 19) of the user.
[0034] For example, the handle or tab (112) could be any manually
manipulable element that facilitates the desire motion or
application of force. For example, the handle may be a series of
features or textures on the outer surface of the straw. In this
embodiment, the outer piece (102) has two grooves (114) which
portions of the inner piece (104) mate with. These grooves (114)
result in more surface area contact between the exterior surface of
the inner piece (104) and the interior surfaces of the outer piece
(102). This can create a better seal between the inner piece (104)
and outer piece (102). In this example, the grooves (114) extend
longitudinally down the whole length of the outer piece (102). The
sealing features of the straw (100) and other elements are further
described with reference to FIG. 8 which is a cross sectional
diagram taken along section A-A as shown in the present figure.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a close-up view of one end of the separable straw
(100). This drawing shows the cutout (108) in the outer piece
(102). In some embodiments the cutout may be formed with tapers
(109) or other contouring on the edges or corners of the cutout.
These tapers (109) may serve a variety of purposes, including
facilitating the insertion/reconnection of the inner piece (104)
with the outer piece (102). This figure also shows the extension
(106) extending beyond the end of the outer piece (102) of the
straw.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a close-up view of end (148) of the separable
straw (100) opposite to the end shown in FIG. 5. This figure shows
a portion of the interior volume (126) of the straw visible through
the open end (148) of the straw. As discussed above, the interior
volume of the straw is a tubular volume, closed around the
perimeter but open on each end. In this example, the interior of
the straw has a different cross-sectional shape than the exterior
of the straw. The interior shape/volume in this embodiment is
irregular but may have any appropriate shape, including oval,
ellipsoid or other shape. In this example, the grooves (114) and
other features make the interior shape irregular due to increased
combined wall thickness. The exterior profile formed from the
exterior surfaces of the joined outer piece (102) and the inner
piece (104) of the straw may also have a range of shapes and
profiles.
[0037] In this example, the handle (112) is symmetrical about a
plane (152) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (see FIG. 1,
FIG. 8). FIG. 11 shows an additional view of the symmetry of the
protrusion. FIG. 11 is a side view of the straw (100) that shows
the plane (152) and the symmetry of handle (112).
[0038] FIG. 7 is a perspective view from the end (150) of the
separable straw (100). This drawing is a perspective of the straw
looking upward into the interior volume (126) of the straw from the
end with the cutout (108). As previously described, the straw is
formed from two parts that join together along the longitudinal
length of the straw. In one embodiment, the drinking straw (100)
may include a first part (104) that includes a first longitudinally
separable part and a second part (102) includes a second
longitudinally separable part, wherein the first part (104) and the
second part (102) join to form a tubular volume (126) open at each
end (148, FIG. 6; 150, FIG. 7); and the handle (112) includes a
protrusion extending radially outward from the first part, wherein
the handle is configured to be grasped by the thumb (134, FIG. 19)
and opposing finger (132, FIG. 19) of a user.
[0039] Additionally, at least one groove (166) may be present where
the first part and second part join. FIG. 7 shows a groove (166)
between the first part (104) and second part (102). This groove may
extend along a longitudinal length of the straw (100). An exterior
surface of the first part and an exterior surface of the second
part form a cross-section that may be disrupted by the at least one
groove. The groove may or may not be straight. For example, the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the groove is disrupted/curved
due to the cutout (108), which disrupts the longitudinal edges
(115) of the second part (102). The groove may include a space
between an edge (115) of the second part (102) and a wall (168) on
the first part (104).
[0040] The groove (166) may include a tapering gap, where the
tapering gap is formed from a space between an edge of the second
part and a protrusion on the first part. The groove may include a
wider opening at the exterior of the straw and a narrowing gap
along a radial axis from the center of the straw. The longitudinal
length of the groove may include at least one nonlinear portion. In
some embodiments, the straw may include two or more longitudinally
extending grooves. These grooves may be formed by an interface
between edges of the first part and one or more protrusions or
walls of protrusions on the second part. These grooves may
substantially disrupt a smooth cross-sectional shape of the
exterior surface of the straw.
[0041] As discussed above, the first part (104) may include a
protrusion (170) extending radially outward with the protrusion
extending along its length and wherein the wall (168) is a side of
the protrusion. The protrusion (170) may extend through an opening
(130, FIG. 8) in the second part (102). The manual manipulation
features (106, 112) may be a part of and extend from the protrusion
(170) which passes along the length of the straw. The cross-section
B-B defined in FIG. 7 is used in FIG. 15 to illustrate an interior
of the straw and the interaction between the first part and second
part. FIG. 7 also shows the stop (110).
[0042] FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of a separable straw (100)
taken from the cross-section A-A in FIG. 4. In this figure, the
outer piece (102) has two grooves (114). The longitudinal edges
(116) of the inner piece (104) are designed to fit into the grooves
(114) in such a way that they provide a substantially airtight seal
between the inner piece (104) and the outer piece (102). In
addition, the inside surfaces (122) of the outer piece (102) press
down on the exterior surface (120) of the inner piece (104),
pressing the inner piece (104) into the grooves (114). The inside
surfaces (118) of the inner piece (104) press against the inside of
the grooves (114), which helps create a seal between the inner
piece (104) and the outer piece (102). This pressure from the outer
piece pushing the inner piece into the grooves and the opposing
pressure from the grooves on the inner piece hold the inner piece
firmly in place and prevent air from leaking into the straw when it
is being used. In alternative embodiments, the outer piece could
have only a single groove, or more than two grooves. In addition,
the inner piece could also have a groove that mates with the groove
in the outer piece to provide a better seal. In another example,
the inner piece could have an additional geometry or geometries
that would allow it to fit tightly into a groove or grooves in the
outer piece. In another example, the inner piece could have one
groove that goes along the length of one side of the straw and the
outer piece could have another groove that goes along the length of
the other side of the straw. In this example, the outer piece would
fit into the groove on the inner piece on one side of the straw,
and the inner piece would fit into the groove on the outer piece on
the other side of the straw.
[0043] In one example, a drinking straw (100) may extend in the
longitudinal, lateral, and vertical directions as shown in the
coordinate axes in FIG. 8. In this example, the coordinate axes are
centered along a center line of the straw (100). The longitudinal,
lateral, and vertical directions are mutually orthogonal. The straw
extends in the longitudinal direction to define a length of the
straw and extension of the straw in the lateral and vertical
directions defines a diametrical cross section of the straw. Where
the coordinate axes are in the centerline of the straw, the
vertical and lateral directions are both radial directions. In this
example, the inner piece may be called a first part that includes
at least one manual manipulation feature such as the tab/protrusion
(112) or the extension (106). The outer piece (102) may be called a
second part. The second part (102) may include a cross sectional
shape that includes a closed surface (164) defining an interior
volume (126) with an open side and at least one open end, wherein
the first part is configured to be accepted into the interior
volume and the manual manipulation feature of the first part is
configured to extend through one of the open side and open end. For
example, the handle (112) extends through the open side and the
extension (106) extends through the open end.
[0044] Thus in one embodiment, the straw may include a first part
(104) that includes at least one manual manipulation feature (106,
FIG. 1; 112) and a second part (102) that includes a cross
sectional shape (146) comprising a closed surface (164) defining an
interior volume (126) with an open side (130) and at least one open
end (148, 150), wherein the first part (104) is configured to be
accepted into the interior volume (126) and the manual manipulation
feature (106, 112) of the first part (104) is configured to extend
through at least one of the open side (130, FIG. 8) and open end
(148, FIG. 6; 150, FIG. 7).
[0045] In one embodiment, a separable drinking straw (100) may
include a first part (104) and a second part (102). The first part
(104) and the second part (102) may be configured to join
longitudinally to form an interior volume (126) open at both ends.
The first part (104) may include longitudinal edges (116) and the
second part (102) may include grooves (114) on an interior surface
(122) of the second part (102). The longitudinal edges (116) of the
first part (104) may engage with the grooves (114) of the second
part (102). The longitudinal edges (115) of the second part (102)
may press on an exterior surface (120) of the first part (104),
thereby pressing the longitudinal edges (116) of the first part
(104) into grooves (114) of the second part (102).
[0046] The second part (102) may include a cross section (146) that
includes a closed surface (164) with an open side (130). The closed
surface (164) may include an interior volume (126), wherein the
open side (130) is configured to widen to accept the first part
(104) into the interior volume (126).
[0047] There may be any number of other features included in the
straw. For example in this embodiment, there is an
indentation/groove(s) (172) along one or more of the inner wall of
the outer piece. This indentation may serve any of a number of
functions, including providing clearance for features/separation
lines on the inner piece, providing a sealing area that liquids can
migrate into by capillary action, or other function. FIG. 8 also
shows the diametrical cross section (144), the wall (168) on the
side of the protrusion, and a tapering exterior groove (166).
[0048] FIG. 9 is a side view of one end of a separable straw (100).
In this embodiment, the inner piece (104) has an extension (106)
extending from the end of the inner piece (104). In addition, the
outer piece (102) also has an extension (107) extending from the
end of the outer piece (102). These two manually manipulatable
elements (106, 107) can be used by a user to separate the inner
piece (104) and the outer piece (102) for cleaning or inspection.
In one example, the user exerts pressure on the inside of the
extensions (106, 107) and pushes them away from each other, thus
separating the inner piece (104) and the outer piece (102).
[0049] FIG. 10 shows an additional embodiment, where only the inner
piece (104) has an extension (106) extending from its end (150).
When a user is separating the two pieces of the straw, it is
sometimes easier to exert pressure on the inner piece instead of
the outer piece. Having an extension extend from only the inner
piece could show the user that he or she should exert pressure on
only the inner piece of the straw.
[0050] Thus in one example, the extension (106) of the first part
(104) may extend out of an open end (148, FIG. 6; 150) of the
enclosed volume (126) of the second part. The extension (106) may
be configured to be manually manipulated to separate the end of the
first part (104) and from the end of the second part (102).
[0051] FIG. 11 shows a user separating the inner piece (104) from
the outer piece (102) of the straw (100) at one end (150). In this
embodiment, a user places his or her thumb (134) somewhere on the
middle of the inner piece (104), and then uses a different finger
(132) to exert pressure on the extension (106) and pull the inner
piece (104) out of the outer piece (102). This can be performed
using one hand (124) or two hands, where the other hand can
stabilize the straw. Also shown in the figure are the cutout (108)
along the edges of the outer piece, the tab (112), and the plane of
symmetry (152). The symmetry of the tab (112) is clearly shown on
either side of the plane.
[0052] FIGS. 12, 13, 14A and 14B are illustrative examples of steps
that can be used to assemble the straw (100). FIG. 12 shows the
first step of reassembling a separable straw (100) after it has
been separated for cleaning and/or inspection purposes. First, a
user inserts the end of the inner piece (104) into the insert
cutout (108) on the outer piece (102). Because the sides of the
insert cutout (108) are not as high as the rest of the outer piece
(102), it provides a wider opening through which it is easier to
insert the end of the inner piece (104) into the outer piece (102).
In addition, the insert cutout (108) could be tapered along the
sides so that there are no sharp corners that the inner piece (104)
could catch on when it is being inserted into the outer piece (102)
or being reassembled. In other embodiments, the insert cutout (108)
could be any shape, including rectangular, square, or
semi-circular. FIG. 12 also shows the recess (128) that mates with
the stop in the outer piece (102) and the manually manipulatable
extensions (106, 107).
[0053] FIG. 13 shows the next illustrative step in reassembling the
straw (100). The user slides the inner piece (104) towards the end
of the outer piece (102) until the inner piece (104) contacts the
stopping structure (110, FIG. 1; FIG. 15) in the outer piece (102).
The stopping structure (110, FIG. 1) allows the user to easily
align the ends of the inner piece (104) and the outer piece (102)
and prevents the inner piece (104) from sliding too far past the
end of the outer piece (102).
[0054] FIG. 14A shows the next illustrative step in reassembling a
separable straw (100). The user exerts pressure (156, 158) on the
inner piece (104), pushing it down into the outer piece (102),
beginning at the end where the inner piece (104) and the outer
piece (102) are already together. FIG. 14B shows that the pressure
(156, 158) continues to be applied up the length of the separable
straw until the inner piece (104) and the outer piece (102) are
fully reassembled. Thus, the first part (104) and the second part
(102) are configured to be joined by applying opposing pressure
(156, 158) applied to an exterior of the straw with a first
pressure (156) on the first part (104) and a second opposing
pressure (158) on the second part (102).
[0055] In alternative embodiments, the straw could be reassembled
without an insert cutout (108, FIG. 12-14B) and/or without a
stopping structure (110, FIG. 1). In addition, the straw could be
configured with other geometries, shapes and pieces that facilitate
reassembly. For example, the straw may slide together rather than
snap together. Additionally or alternatively, the straw may include
hinges (such as living hinges) that allow the straw to be opened
longitudinally or laterally while keeping the pieces of the straw
connected. There may be any number of latching or sealing
mechanisms that seal the straw together. For example, the straw may
be held together by a ramp that snaps into a receiving slot,
bracket or loop.
[0056] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken from the
cross-section B-B in FIG. 8. It shows a stopping structure (110) at
the end of the groove (114) on the outer piece (102). This stopping
structure (110) contacts a small cutout (128) on the inner piece
(104) that stops the inner piece (104) from sliding too far past
the end of the outer piece (102). As the straw (100) is being
reassembled, a user slides an end (106,160) of the inner piece
(104) into the cutout (108) and pushes it towards the end of the
outer piece (102) until the stopping structure (110) on the outer
piece (102) contacts the mating recess (128) on the inside piece
(104) and prevents the inside piece (104) from sliding too far
beyond the end of the outer piece (102). This allows the user to
easily align the inner piece (104) and outer piece (102) when
reassembling the separable straw (100) after cleaning or
inspection. In alternative embodiments, the stopping structure
(110) could take a variety of forms. One example could include a
ring at the end of the outer piece that stops the inner piece from
sliding past the end of the outer piece. The inner piece may or may
not include a mating recess or other specialized feature. For
example, the end of the inner piece may be flat or uniformly
angled. This surface may contact any of a variety of stops on the
outer piece. Additionally or alternatively, the stop may be on the
inner piece and the mating surface may be on the outer piece.
[0057] Also shown in this figure are the cutout (108) in the
longitudinal edge of the outer piece, the groove (114) shown as a
dashed line. The stop (110) in this embodiment is a blockage of the
groove (114) so that the edges (116) of the first piece encounter
the stop. In this case, the ends of the edges of the first piece
are modified to better mate with the stop (110) by putting the
small cutout/mating recess (128) in the edges. The cross sectional
view also shows the protrusions/manually manipulable elements (106,
107) on the end of the straw together with the angle/taper
(160).
[0058] FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 are further illustrations of how a user
can reassemble the separable straw after it has been separated for
cleaning or inspection. After the end of the inner piece (104) has
been inserted at the insert cutout (108) and slid down to line up
with the end of the outer piece (102), as shown in FIG. 15, a user
grasps the end of the separable straw (100) with one hand (121) and
presses the inner piece (104) and the outer piece (102) together
with the other hand (124), starting at or before the insert cutout
(108), as shown in FIG. 16. In this example, the user presses the
straw together using opposing fingers (132, 134) at or near the
cutout (108). This starts to push the inner piece (104) into the
outer piece (102). The user then slides his fingers down the length
of the straw (100), pushing the inner piece (104) and the outer
piece (102) together as they go, as seen in FIGS. 17 and 18. This
results in the inner piece (104) and the outer piece (102) being
fully connected along the length of the straw (100) as shown in
FIG. 18. Also shown in these figures is the tap/protrusion (112),
which may or may not be part of the assembly process. In these
examples the tab may not be used, but in embodiments where more
sliding or alignment of the straws is performed, various
embodiments of the tab(s) may play a bigger role in the assembly of
the product.
[0059] FIG. 19 shows a user grasping a protrusion (112) on the
straw (100) with his thumb and forefinger. As discussed above and
further described below, one embodiment of the protrusion (112) may
include indentations (113) to receive fingertips and the protrusion
(112) is configured to be pinched between the thumb (134, FIG. 19)
and opposing finger (132, FIG. 19) of the user. As noted earlier,
in this embodiment a handle or tab (112) may extend from the inner
piece (104) that could be used to help separate the inner piece
(104) from the outer piece (104) for cleaning or inspection and/or
to manipulate the straw without touching the cylindrical body of
the straw where the user's lips are placed when the straw is in
use. In this example, the cylindrical body of the straw includes
outer surfaces of the outer piece (102) and inner piece (104) but
do not include surfaces of the tab/protrusion (112).
[0060] FIG. 20 shows a user grasping a handle/protrusion (112) on
the straw (100) to remove the straw from a drinking container. In
this example, the handle (112) may be configured such that the
straw (100) can be removed from a drink/bottle (138) without the
user touching a cylindrical body (154) of the straw. Additionally,
the handle may prevent or impede the straw from sliding through an
opening (140) in the lid (136) of the drink. This may be desirable
to prevent the straw from falling out when the lid is removed from
the drink (138).
[0061] Thus, according to the principles described herein, a tube
or straw (100) may include a first part (104) and a second part
(102) and at least a portion of the first part (104) may be
configured to slide within the second part (102). At least one of
the first part (104) and second part (102) may include at least one
stop (110), wherein the stop (110) may impede the first part (104)
from sliding within the second part (102) in at least one
direction. The tube (100) may be configured to separate along its
length into the first part (104) and second part (102). In some
embodiments, the stop (110) may be configured to align the first
part (104) and the second part (102) in a predetermined positional
relationship.
[0062] The first part (104) may include an end (106) and the second
part (102) may include a feature to facilitate joining the end of
the first part to the second part. For example, there may be a
cutout (108) in the second part (102) that is configured to at
least partially receive the end (106) of the first part (104) into
an interior of the second part (102). In some embodiments, the
cutout (108) may be in the longitudinal edges (115) of the straw
and widen the open side of the to allow the end of the first part
to more easily enter the interior volume (126).
[0063] The first part (104) may include an end (106) which may have
a modification (160) configured to allow it to more fully engage
with an interior space of the second part (102) after entering the
cutout (108). This modification may take a variety of forms. For
example, the end (106) may be specifically shaped to facilitate
joining the first part to the second part. In one example, the end
may be tapered or angled to progressively reduce the cross
sectional area of the end. In some examples, this may be
accomplished by tapering/angling the longitudinal edges (116) of
the first part. This may be accomplished in a variety of ways.
Other modifications to the two parts may also be present to
facilitate the joining of the two parts. For example, there may be
one or more hinges or latches along one side of the two parts.
[0064] The first part (104) may be configured to move within the
second part (102) after entering the cutout (108). This motion
could occur by sliding, snapping, or other motions. The motion
could be arrested and/or the first part could be positioned with
respect to the second part in a variety of ways. For example, the
motion could be restricted when an end (106) of the first part
(104) engages with a stop (110) in the second part (102). In the
examples, shown above, the stop is located in the grooves in the
interior of the second part/outer piece. However, the stop could be
located in a variety of locations and places. For example, the stop
may be located on the first part. In some embodiments, the stop may
be on an end of the first part and engage with the end of the
second part to arrest relative motion of the two parts with respect
to each other.
[0065] The modification to the first part could also be configured
to facilitate one or more additional functions. For example, the
modification could be configured to extend beyond an end (162) of
the second part (102) when the first part (104) is engaged with the
stop (110) on the second part (102). Several illustrative examples
of this modification are shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 9-11. The
modification may be configured to be a manually manipulable element
to separate the first part (104) and the second part (106) as shown
in FIG. 11.
[0066] The tube/straw described above may have a variety of
configurations that are useful where a tube may need to be
opened/closed, assembled/reassembled, and/or cleaned. For example,
any time a tube needs to be cleaned or joined to other pieces it
may be useful for the tube to separate into two pieces. For
example, it may be useful for a drinking tube of a hydration pack
to separate for cleaning or it may be useful or tube that is an
integral part of a drinking cup to separate from other components
and open to be cleaned. The figures above illustrate one embodiment
of this tube where the tube is a drinking straw that can be used
with a variety of different liquid containers and pass through
their lids. The straw shown could have a variety of lengths,
diameters, and configurations to facilitate use with a range of
containers and liquids. For example, longer straws may be better
adapted for use with taller containers. Shorter straws could be
used with shorter containers and larger diameter straws could be
used for shakes, boba drinks, bubble tea, drinks that are thicker
or have larger chunks, etc. Smaller diameter straws or straws with
multiple tubular openings may be useful for drinks that are thinner
and/or hot drinks that may need to cool or be taken in smaller or
more controlled amounts into the user's mouth.
[0067] As discussed above, the first part (104) may seal to the
second part in a variety of ways. For example, the first part may
include longitudinal edges (116) and the second part (102) may
include a matching feature such as grooves (114). These grooves may
be on an interior surface (122) of the second part (102), with the
longitudinal edges (116) of the first part (104) engaging with the
grooves (114) of the second part (102).
[0068] At least one of the first part and second part may include a
tab, where the tab may include an outwardly extending shape
configured to be grasped between a thumb and forefinger of a user.
In one example, the second part may include an outer piece defining
a partially enclosed volume and the first part may include an inner
piece that fits into the outer piece. At least one groove may be
disposed in an interior of the outer piece and may be configured to
receive a longitudinal edge of the inner piece. An inner surface of
the outer piece presses on an outer surface of the inner piece and
presses the longitudinal edge of the inner piece into the groove.
As discussed above, the straw may also include a stop. The stop may
be configured to align the first part and second part in a
predetermined position.
[0069] In another embodiment, a drinking straw may include a first
part and a second part, where the first part and second part may
join to form an enclosed volume that is open on at least two ends.
At least one first part and the second part may include a
protrusion extending along a longitudinal length of the straw. The
second part may include an outer piece defining a partially
enclosed volume and a longitudinally extending opening into the
partially enclosed volume and the first part may be an inner piece
that fits into the outer piece with the protrusion extending
radially outward through the opening. The protrusion may include at
least one wall extending outward. In some embodiments, this wall
may extend longitudinally along a length of the straw. There may be
a gap between an edge of one piece and the wall and the protrusion
may include at least one tab extending radially outward. The tab
may include a symmetrical profile along a longitudinal
cross-section and may be configured to be grasped between a thumb
and the forefinger of a user.
[0070] A method for assembling a separable straw may include
sliding a first piece into a second piece in a longitudinal
direction to partially join the first piece and the second piece.
The first piece and second piece can be vertically pressed together
to at least partially join the first piece and second piece.
[0071] The preceding description has been presented only to
illustrate and describe examples of the principles and features
described. This description is not intended to be exhaustive or to
limit these principles to any precise form disclosed. Many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching.
* * * * *