JP6644301B1 - Drinking straws - Google Patents

Abstract

A drinking straw can be assembled and separated by a simple operation, can be easily washed to the inner surface, and is suitable for reuse. A drinking straw (1) includes at least two divided members (2, 3) having a substantially semicircular cross section and a predetermined length, and these divided members are engaged to form a substantially cylindrical shape. The two divided members 2 and 3 engage with the hinge portion 4 that enables the one divided member 2 and the other divided member 3 to be rotatable with each other and the edges 23 and 33 along the respective longitudinal directions. And an engaging portion 51. The two divided members 2 and 3 form a cylindrical space in the length direction by the engagement of the engagement portion 51. According to this configuration, the drinking straw can be assembled by a simple operation of rotating the division members 2 and 3 via the hinge portion 4 and engaging them with the engagement portion 51. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to drinking straws suitable for reuse.

  BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, plastic drinking straws have been used as drinking straws. Since plastic straws are produced in large quantities and are inexpensive, they are generally discarded after each use. However, in recent years, with the increasing awareness of environmental protection, the movement to abolish plastic straws has spread worldwide. In particular, it has been pointed out that plastic straws abandoned in the ocean have enormous adverse effects on marine life.

  An alternative to plastic straws is paper straws. However, paper straws gradually lose their strength after absorbing moisture, and when the original shape collapses, for example, they may enter the mouth and cause suffocation, etc., and are used by people with impaired mastication and swallowing functions. To do so involves risks. For this reason, in recent years, it has been desired that washing straws can be reused instead of being premised on discarding straws.

  Therefore, a reusable straw that can clean not only the outer peripheral surface but also the inner peripheral surface of the straw is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The straw described in Patent Literature 1 includes two vertically-shaped members, each of which has two fitting surfaces that connect an end of an outer peripheral surface and an end of an inner peripheral surface. By fitting these, a straw shape is formed.

JP 2014-156524 A

  However, in the straw described in Patent Literature 1, since the convex and concave portions provided on the fitting surface substantially orthogonal to the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface are merely fitted to each other, in order to hold these, It is necessary to use a ring-shaped fixing member for fixing the fitted two vertically-shaped members from the outer peripheral surface. In such a configuration, after the use of the straw, the fixing member is removed, the two vertically-shaped members are separated and washed, and after the cleaning, the two vertically-shaped members are fitted to each other to fix the fixed member. A complicated work such as attaching and assembling is required, which hinders reuse.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a drinking straw that can be assembled and separated by a simple operation, can be easily washed to the inner surface, and is suitable for reuse. And

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a drinking straw having at least two divided members having a predetermined length and having a substantially cylindrical shape by engaging these divided members, wherein the two divided members are A hinge portion that allows one of the divided members and the other of the divided members to be rotatable with each other, and an engaging portion that engages edges along respective longitudinal directions, and the two The split member forms a cylindrical space in the length direction by the engagement of the engagement portion.

  In the drinking straw, it is preferable that the hinge portion has a predetermined flexibility.

  In the drinking straw, the hinge portion preferably has a plurality of bent portions.

  In the drinking straw, it is preferable that the engaging portion is formed by engaging a convex portion or a concave portion formed on at least one edge with the other edge.

  In the drinking straw, it is preferable that the convex portion or the concave portion has an undercut shape.

  In the drinking straw, it is preferable that a suction port member having a different diameter is fitted to one end of the divided member engaged with the drinking straw to form a cylindrical space.

  In the drinking straw, it is preferable that a detachable cutlery member is fitted to one end of the divided member engaged so as to form a cylindrical space.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a drinking straw can be assembled by a simple operation | work which rotates a division | segmentation member via a hinge part and engages them by an engagement part, and also only releases an engagement part. Separation of the divided members becomes possible. Therefore, the divided member can be easily washed, and a drinking straw suitable for reuse can be obtained.

(A) is a perspective view showing a deployed state of the drinking straw according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a front view showing a state immediately before engagement. (A) thru | or (g) are front views of the drinking straw which concerns on the modification of the said embodiment. (A) is a top view of the drinking straw which concerns on the modification of the said 1st Embodiment. (A) and (b) are perspective views showing a procedure for attaching a mouthpiece to the drinking straw. (A) and (b) are perspective views showing a procedure for attaching a spoon to the drinking straw, and (c) is a rear view. (A) is a perspective view partially showing an expanded state of the drinking straw according to the second embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a front view showing an engaged state. (A) is a perspective view partially showing an expanded state of the drinking straw according to the third embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a front view, (c) is an enlarged view of a hinge portion, and (d) is an engagement. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the engaged state, and (e) is a front view showing the engaged state. The front view of the drinking straw which concerns on the modification of 3rd Embodiment. The perspective view of the drinking straw which concerns on another modification of the said 3rd Embodiment. (A) is a perspective view showing a deployed state of a drinking straw according to still another modified example of the third embodiment, (b) is a front view, (c) is a perspective view showing an engaged state, ( d) is a front view showing the engaged state. (A) is a perspective view showing a deployed state of a drinking straw according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a side view. (A) is a perspective view showing a state where the dividing member of the drinking straw is engaged, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a side view.

  A drinking straw according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 (a) to 1 (c). The drinking straw 1 of the present embodiment includes at least two divided members 2 and 3 having a substantially semicircular cross section and a predetermined length, and these divided members 2 and 3 are engaged to form a substantially cylindrical shape. The division members 2 and 3 are manufactured by extrusion molding, injection molding, or the like of a resin material having a predetermined flexibility such as polypropylene.

  The divided members 2 and 3 are formed with convex outer surfaces 21 and 31, concave inner surfaces 22 and 32, edges 23, 24, 33 and 34 along the length direction, and ends orthogonal to the length direction. Parts 25, 26, 35, and 36, respectively. The two divided members 2 and 3 each include a hinge portion 4 that allows one divided member 2 and the other divided member 3 to be rotatable with each other, and an engaging portion that engages edges along each of the longitudinal directions. 51. In the present embodiment, the hinge portion 4 is formed such that one of the edges 23, 24, 33, 34 that is close to each other is integrally connected to each other. The engaging portion 51 is provided on at least one of the other edges 24 and 34 that are separated from each other, and engages the edges 24 and 34 with each other.

  The hinge portion 4 and the edges 23 and 33 adjacent to the hinge portion 4 are thinner than the substantially semicircular portions of the divided members 2 and 3 and have predetermined flexibility. Numeral 3 is rotatable about a hinge 4. In the state where the engaging portion 51 is released, as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the hinge portion 4 has the divided members 2, 3 arranged side by side, and the inner surfaces 22, 32 are spread. Becomes

  The separated edges 24, 34 are thicker than the adjacent edges 23, 33, and each have a contact surface in the thickness direction. The contact surface of one edge 24 is concave on the outer surface 21 side and convex on the inner surface 22 side. The contact surface of the other edge 34 is convex on the outer surface 21 side and concave on the inner surface 22 side. Therefore, when the respective contact surfaces of the edges 24 and 34 are brought into contact with each other, the concave and convex portions are fitted to each other, and the adhesion is improved.

  In the present embodiment, an engagement portion 51 is formed on the edge 24 of one of the divided members 2. The engagement portion 51 protrudes above the contact surface of the edge 24. When the divided members 2 and 3 are engaged with each other, the divided members 2 and 3 are rotated around the hinge 4 and the engaging portions 51 are engaged with each other, so that a cylindrical space having a substantially circular shape in a front view is formed. It is formed. At this time, the inner surface of the engaging portion 51 covers the contact portion between each edge 24 and the edge 34 and contacts or presses the outer surface 31 of the edge 34.

  As shown in FIG. 1C, when the split members 2 and 3 are engaged with each other, the outer surface of the hinge 4 becomes convex, and the inner surface thereof is concave at an acute angle. At this time, the hinge portion 4 generates a spring stress that acts in a direction in which the contact surfaces of the edges 24 and 34 are brought into close contact with each other. As a result, when the divided members 2 and 3 are engaged, the adhesion of the respective contact surfaces of the edges 24 and 34 can be further improved.

  Further, the inner surface of the engaging portion 51 protruding from the edge 24 covers the contact portion between the edges 24 and 34. In the actual use of the drinking straw 1, when the user sucks the beverage, the inside of the drinking straw 1 becomes a negative pressure, so that the inner surface of the engaging portion 51 is directed toward the contact portion of the edges 24, 34. By being pressed down and brought into close contact with each other, water leakage from these contact points can be suppressed, and the performance as a drinking straw can be ensured. Although a part of the engaging portion 51 presses the outer surface 31 of the edge 34, since the contact surfaces of the edges 24 and 34 are fitted with irregularities, the side portions of these contact portions are located. Deviation can be prevented.

  According to the drinking straw 1 of the present embodiment, the drinking straw can be assembled by a simple operation of rotating the divided members 2 and 3 via the hinge portion 4 and engaging them with the engaging portion 51, Further, the separation of the divided members 2 and 3 can be achieved only by releasing the engagement portion 51. Therefore, the inner surfaces 22, 32 of the divided members 2, 3 can be easily cleaned, and a drinking straw suitable for reuse can be obtained.

  FIGS. 2A to 2G show a drinking straw 1 according to a modification of the above embodiment. The drinking straw 1 according to the first embodiment has been described based on a configuration in which, when the dividing members 2 and 3 are engaged, a cylindrical space having a substantially circular shape in a front view, that is, a cylindrical shape is formed. The shape of the straw 1 is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the drinking straw 1 may be configured to be elliptical in a front view. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2B to 2D, the shape may be a polygon (for example, a triangle, a quadrangle (trapezoid), or a hexagon), and further, as shown in FIGS. 2B to 2D. As described above, the shape may be a composite of a circle and a polygon.

  A drinking straw according to another modified example of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the drinking straw 1 of the present modification fits the mouthpiece members 6 having different diameters to one ends of the divided members 2 and 3 which are connected to form a cylindrical space. Further, a detachable cutlery member 7 is fitted to the end opposite to the end to which the mouthpiece member 6 is fitted. Other configurations are the same as in the above embodiment. In the following description, the divided members 2 and 3 engaged so as to form a cylindrical space are referred to as a cylindrical body 10.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the mouthpiece member 6 is a cylindrical member having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical body 10, and a thread 61 is formed on an outer surface thereof. Further, the cylindrical body 10 has a thread groove 54 formed on the inner surfaces 22, 32 thereof. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4B, the mouthpiece member 6 can be attached by screwing the mouthpiece member 6 into the end opening of the tubular body 10.

  When the drinking straw 1 is used, the mouth portion is pinched by the mouth, so that the engaging portion 51 is easily deformed and detached, which may cause water leakage. On the other hand, according to the present modification, the mouth of the user does not directly contact the cylindrical body 10 and does not hit the engaging portion 51 by providing the mouthpiece member 6. Water leakage can be suppressed without the joint portion 51 being deformed and coming off. Further, since the mouthpiece is the most painful, by replacing this part with another replaceable member, the frequency of damage to the divided members 2 and 3 constituting the cylindrical body 10 can be reduced, and the number of reusable times can be increased. .

  In this modification, as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, a cutlery member 7 such as a spoon or a fork can be mounted. Here, a spoon 71 is taken as an example of the cutlery member 7. The spoon 71 has a pot 72, a neck 73, and a base 74. The outer diameter of the base 74 is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical body 10, and a fitting hole 75 into which the cylindrical body 10 is fitted is formed at an end opposite to the pot portion 72 and the neck 73. (See FIGS. 5B and 5C).

  In this modification, an engagement projection 27 is provided on one of the outer surfaces (for example, the outer surface 21 of the divided member 2) of the divided members 2 and 3 forming the cylindrical body 10. The fitting hole 75 of the base 74 has a bottomed cylindrical space, and an engaging groove 76 corresponding to the shape of the engaging projection 27 is provided from the opening of the fitting hole 75 to be fitted to the inner peripheral surface. . The engagement groove 76 has a vertical groove 76 a extending in the length direction from the opening of the insertion hole 75, and a lock groove 76 b extending in the rotation direction at the bottom of the insertion hole 75.

  When attaching the cutlery member 7 to the cylindrical divided members 2 and 3, the engaging projection 27 is aligned with the position of the vertical groove 76 a, and the end of the cylindrical body 10 is inserted into the fitting hole 75, When the end of the body 10 is inserted to the bottom of the fitting hole 75, the cylindrical body 10 is rotated to engage the engagement protrusion 27 with the lock groove 76b. Thereby, the cutlery member 7 can be detachably fitted to the tubular body 10.

  A drinking straw according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the drinking straw 1 of the present embodiment, the engagement portions 55 and 56 are provided on both the one edge 24 and the other edge 34. The engaging portion 55 of the one edge 24 has a concave portion 55a and a convex portion 55b at a portion connected to the outer surface 21. The engaging portion 56 of the other edge 34 has a concave portion 56a at a portion connected to the inner surface 32. And a projection 56b. As shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), when the inner surfaces 22, 32 are arranged above without engaging the division members 2, 3, the projection 55b is above the recess 55a. , The protrusion 56b is located above the recess 56a. That is, the concave portions 55a and 56a and the convex portions 55b and 56b have a so-called undercut shape. Other configurations are the same as in the above embodiment. FIG. 6A shows a part of the drinking straw 1.

  When the division members 2 and 3 are engaged, the division members 2 and 3 are rotated via the hinge portion 4 to engage the engagement portions 55 and 56. At this time, since the concave portions 55a, 56a and the convex portions 55b, 56b have an undercut shape, the convex portion 55b of one engaging portion 55 fits into the concave portion 56a of the other engaging portion 56, and the other The convex portion 56b of the joint portion 56 fits into the concave portion 55a of the one engaging portion 55. As a result, the protruding portions 55b, 56b at the distal ends of the engaging portions 55, 56 are in a state of being hooked closely, and water leakage can be more effectively suppressed.

  Also in the drinking straw 1 of the present embodiment, as in the above-described embodiment, the drinking straw can be assembled and separated by a simple operation of engaging or disengaging them with the engaging portions 55 and 56, and is suitable for reuse. Drinking straw can be obtained. Further, according to the present embodiment, the one concave portion 55a and the convex portion 55b and the other convex portion 56b and the concave portion 56a face each other and engage with each other. It is not exposed to the side of the drinking straw 32, but is stored in the thickness of the drinking straw 1, and the appearance can be improved.

  A drinking straw according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the drinking straw 1 of the present embodiment, the hinge portion 4 has a plurality of bent portions 41. More specifically, the hinge portion 4 of the present embodiment includes a connecting portion 42 having substantially the same thickness as the edges 23, 23, and two bent portions 41 in which both edges of the connecting portion 42 are depressed. The engaging portions 55 and 56 are substantially the same as those in the second embodiment, except that the engaging portion 55 on one of the divided members 2 has an uneven surface on the inner surface 22 side and the other divided member has The engaging portion 56 on the third side has irregularities formed on the outer surface 31 side. The corners of the concave portion 55a and the convex portion 55b and the corner portions of the convex portion 56b and the concave portion 56a are each processed into a moderately rounded R shape. Other configurations are the same as in the above embodiment.

  The hinge portion 4 of the above embodiment is provided with a bent portion by reducing the thickness of one connecting portion of each edge 23, 23, so that when the divided members 2, 3 are rotated and engaged, the hinge portion 4 is hinged. The part 4 protruded outward. On the other hand, the hinge portion 4 of the present embodiment is configured such that when the two bent portions 41 on both edges of the connecting portion 42 are bent, the divided members 2 and 3 are rotated and engaged. The hinge part 4 does not protrude outward, and the appearance of the drinking straw 1 can be further improved. In addition, since the corners and corners of the engagement portions 55 and 56 are formed in an R shape, engagement and separation can be easily performed.

  FIG. 8 shows a modification of the third embodiment. In this modification, the shapes of the engagement portions 55 and 56 are different from those of the third embodiment. In this modified example, the engaging portion 55 on one of the divided members 2 protrudes further toward the other divided member 3 than the contact surfaces of the edges 23 and 33, and the outside of the one of the protruding engaging portions 55. The concave portion 56a and the convex portion 56b on the inner surface side of the other engaging portion 56 are engaged with the concave portion 55a and the convex portion 55b on the front surface side. Further, the concave portions 55a and 56a and the convex portions 55b and 56b are formed in a more rounded mountain shape than in the third embodiment. In the present modification, the engaging portions 55 and 56 have more rounded irregularities, so that engagement and separation can be performed more easily.

  FIG. 9 shows another modification of the third embodiment. In this modification, the point that the hinge portion 4 (the connecting portion 42, the bent portion 41) is not provided over the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the edges 23, 33, but is provided partially. This is different from the third embodiment. In this modification, from the viewpoint of simplicity of engagement and separation, the hinge portion 4 does not necessarily need to be provided over the entire length of the edges 23 and 33 in the longitudinal direction. The edges 23, 33 may be partially separated.

  FIGS. 10A to 10D show still another modified example of the third embodiment. In this modification, when the divided members 2 and 3 are engaged to form a cylindrical shape, the shape becomes an octagon in a front view. As a modified example of the first embodiment, the drinking straw 1 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and a plurality of modified examples have been described. In this modified example, the configuration of the third embodiment is adopted. The above is an embodiment of an octagonal tube configuration.

  A drinking straw according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 (a) to 11 (c) and 12 (a) to 12 (c). In the drinking straw 1 of the present embodiment, one end 26 of one divided member 2 and one end 35 of the other divided member 3 are connected by a hinge 43 extending from each end 25, 36. Is what it is.

  In addition, engaging portions 57a, 57b, 58a, 58b are provided at both end edges 23, 24, 33, 34 along the length direction, respectively. In the present embodiment, the engaging portions 57a, 57b, 58a, 58b are not provided over the entire length of the edge of the divided members 2, 3, but are provided at a predetermined interval. The engagement portions 57a and 57b of one of the divided members 2 have irregularities on the inner surface 22 side, and the engaging portions 58a and 58b of the other divided member 3 have irregularities on the outer surface 31 side. ing. The length and the number of the engaging portions 57a, 57b, 58a, 58b are not limited to the example shown in the drawing, and are set appropriately according to the length of the drinking straw 1 and the like.

  In the above-described first to third embodiments, the pivots of the dividing members 2 and 3 by the hinges 4 are provided in the length direction. In the present embodiment, the pivots of the hinges 43 are divided. It is provided in the width direction of the members 2 and 3. Note that the pivot axis of the hinge portion 43 is closer to one of the divided members 2 in a front view (see FIGS. 12B and 12C). Also in the present embodiment, assembling and separating the drinking straw by a simple operation of rotating the dividing members 2 and 3 via the hinge portion 43 to engage or disengage the engaging portions 57a, 57b, 58a and 58b. And a drinking straw suitable for reuse can be obtained.

  In the present invention, of the two divided members 2, 3, one edge along the length direction of each member is integrally formed to form the hinge portion 4, and the other edge is engaged with each other. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, as long as it has an engaging portion 51 to be combined and the two divided members 2 and 3 form a cylindrical space in the length direction by the engagement of the engaging portion 51. Various modifications are possible. In the above-described first to third embodiments, the split members 2 and 3 have a configuration in which one end edges 23 and 33 adjacent to each other are integrally connected, but the split members 2 and 3 are separate members. However, the divided members 2 and 3 may be connected by a separate rotating shaft-shaped member to form a hinge portion. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the drinking straw 1 is assumed to be made of resin, but is not limited to this, and may be made of a wood material, a metal material, or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Drinking straw 2 Dividing member 23 Edge 24 Edge 3 Dividing member 33 Edge 34 Edge 4 Hinge part 41 Bent part 43 Hinge part 51 Engagement part 52 Engagement part 55 Engagement part 55a Depression 55b Convex part 56 Engagement Part 56a Concave part 56b Convex part 57a Engagement part 57b Engagement part 58a Engagement part 58b Engagement part 6 Suction member 7 Cutlery member

Claims (9)

A drinking straw having at least two divided members having a predetermined length and having a substantially cylindrical shape by engaging these divided members,
The two divided members are provided along two longitudinal directions, two main body portions, a hinge portion that allows one main body portion and the other main body portion of the two main body portions to be rotatable with respect to each other. And an engaging portion for engaging the edges with each other,
The two divided members form a cylindrical space in the length direction by engagement of the engagement portion,
The hinge part,
A coupling part,
Having two bent portions on both edges of the connecting portion,
The bent portion is located at an end on the outer peripheral surface side of the connecting portion ,
The bent portion is located between the main body and the connecting portion,
A drinking straw , wherein a thickness of the bent portion along a thickness direction orthogonal to the length direction is smaller than a thickness of the connecting portion along a thickness direction orthogonal to the length direction .   When the two divided members engage, the two bent portions bend, whereby the connecting portion and the two main body portions change from a non-contact state to a contact state. The drinking straw according to claim 1, wherein Each of the two body portions has an opposing portion facing the connecting portion by bending the two bent portions when the two divided members are engaged,
The thickness of the connecting portion along a thickness direction orthogonal to the length direction is the same as the thickness of the facing portion along a thickness direction orthogonal to the length direction. Or the drinking straw according to claim 2. The thickness of the bent portion along a thickness direction orthogonal to the length direction is smaller than a thickness of the main body portion along a thickness direction orthogonal to the length direction. A drinking straw according to claim 3.   The drinking straw according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hinge portion has a predetermined flexibility.   The said engaging part is formed by engaging the convex part or concave part formed in at least one edge with the other edge, The one of Claim 1 thru | or 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. Drinking straw according to item.   The drinking straw according to claim 6, wherein the projection or the depression has an undercut shape.   8. A suction port member having a different diameter is fitted to one end of the divided member engaged so as to form a cylindrical space. The drinking straw according to claim 1.   9. A detachable cutlery member is fitted to one end of the split member engaged so as to form a cylindrical space. Drinking straw according to claim 1.