Straw

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a straw comprising a tubular straw body having an end and formed of a substrate having a first long side, a second long side and a first thickness; and the first long side and the second long side are overlapped to form an overlapped part with a second thickness. The light emitting diode is characterized in that the ratio of the second thickness to the first thickness is less than 2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a straw, and more particularly, to a straw having high strength for piercing a sealing film at an opening of a paper cup and high durability against liquid in the paper cup. Background Art

[0002] Straws widely used for drinking juice or soft drinks filled in portable paper cups are usually made of plastic materials. At present, the society's environmental awareness is increasing, so straws made of plastic materials are gradually replaced by paper straws. However, a problem that arises is that the strength of paper straws is weaker than that of plastic straws, so they are easy to collapse when inserted into the sealing film at the opening of the paper cup. In addition, compared with plastic straws, paper straws are easy to soften when soaked in liquids such as juice or soft drinks, and have poor durability. Therefore, traditional paper straws require thicker paper sheets to form straws.

[0003] In addition, paper straws in the prior art are coated with a composite film / coating layer to achieve a better waterproof effect. However, the composite film / coating layer is usually selected from PE, wax or fluorine-containing compounds, which are not environmentally friendly. Therefore, paper straws with composite film / coating layers cannot be recycled, or they can only be recycled at extremely high costs by separating the coating material from the paper material. If these paper straws are not recycled, they will not decompose in the natural environment.

[0004] In addition, paper straws in the prior art contain perfluoroalkyl substances and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which have good chemical stability, are waterproof and oil-proof, and have low friction, so they are widely used in materials that come into contact with food. However, PFAS is difficult to decompose in the natural environment, is harmful to the human body, and pollutes nature. Therefore, paper straws containing PFAS or fluorene are gradually not accepted by the market.

[0005] In addition, in the prior art, some straws are made by first cutting a paper sheet into a predetermined shape, and then gluing the cut paper sheets with the predetermined shape into straws with beveled ends. This results in a very complicated and time-consuming mass production manufacturing process. Considering the strength of paper straws, thicker paper sheets are used and cut into predetermined shapes. In the step of curling the cut thicker paper sheets into the prototype of the straws before the gluing step, the cut thicker paper sheets are not easy to curl for gluing to form paper straws, which causes another problem.

[0006] Another type of traditional straw is made of paper strips rather than sheets. The paper strips are rolled sideways or diagonally and then glued together to form paper straws. This type of straw has the same problem, and it also requires thicker paper strips to maintain its strength. In addition, because the bonding area on this type of straw is much larger than that of a straw made of paper sheets, the bonding area of ​​the thin paper strips will have a higher risk of peeling off.

[0007] Therefore, the applicant discloses a straw to improve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. Utility Model Content

[0008] One of the purposes of the present invention is to provide a straw, which includes a tubular straw body with an end portion and is formed of a substrate, wherein the substrate has a first long side, a second long side, and a first thickness; and the first long side and the second long side overlap to form an overlapped portion with a second thickness, wherein the ratio of the second thickness to the first thickness is less than 2. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The above-mentioned objects and advantages of the present invention will become more immediately apparent to those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field after referring to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is an enlarged schematic diagram showing the structure of a catalyst layer of an electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of a straw showing an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of a straw showing another embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 1C Yes means Figure 1B A specific view of the middle straw;

[0014] Figure 2 Yes means Figure 1A or another specific view of the straw in 1B;

[0015] Figure 3A is a schematic side view of a straw substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 3B is a schematic side view of a straw substrate according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a substrate of an embodiment of the present invention being flattened and stretched, and also showing a partial enlarged view of the end of the straw;

[0018] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention in which the substrate is flattened and stretched, and also shows a partial enlarged view of the end of the straw;

[0019] Fig. 6A is a schematic diagram showing how to cut to form a straw according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0020] Figure 6B It is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention and showing how to cut to form a straw. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The invention proposed in this case can be fully understood by the following embodiments, so that those with ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical field can complete it. However, the implementation of this case is not limited to its implementation form by the following embodiments. Those with ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical field can still deduce other embodiments based on the spirit of the embodiments disclosed, but the embodiments should all fall within the scope of this invention.

[0022] When reading the detailed description below, please refer to all the drawings of this creation, where all the drawings of this creation show different embodiments of this creation through examples and help those with ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical field understand how to implement this creation. This case provides sufficient embodiments to illustrate the concept of this creation. The various embodiments do not conflict with each other, and new embodiments can be realized through any combination thereof, that is, this creation is not limited to the embodiments disclosed in this specification.

[0023] Unless other limitations are defined in specific embodiments, the following definitions apply to the terms used throughout the specification.

[0024] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a straw according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of a straw according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1C for Figure 1B A specific view of the eyedropper in Figure 2 for Figure 1A or another specific view of the eyedropper in 1B, Figure 3A is a schematic side view of a straw substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3B It is a schematic side view of a straw substrate according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a substrate being flattened into a flattened state according to an embodiment of the present invention, and also shows a partial enlarged view of the end of the straw.

[0025] See also Figures 1A to 4, which shows a straw 1, which includes a tubular straw body 11 having an end 12 and is formed by a substrate 2, wherein the substrate 2 has a first long side 13, a second long side 14 and a first thickness t1, and the first long side 13 overlaps the second long side 14 to form an overlapping portion 3 with a second thickness t2. After the overlapping portion 3 is sealed to form the tubular straw body 11, the end 12 is formed. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the degradable coating 4 is heated by using an ultrasonic machine to seal the overlapping portion 3. When the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic machine are applied, the degradable coating 4 melts, so that the melted degradable coating 4 on the upper surface of the substrate 2 adheres to the back of the substrate 2. The degradable coating 4 is a non-plastic material, which is different from the previous plastic coating materials such as PE, PP, PET, PAL, etc. Since the paper straw according to the present invention does not contain a plastic coating, the paper straw can be recycled at a lower cost to obtain pulp, and then the pulp is reused to produce new paper straws. Candidate materials for the degradable coating are water-based coating materials or functional packaging coating materials, such as polyacrylic acid, and play a good water isolation function. The materials of the degradable coating 4 and the substrate 2 can be at least one of hydrolyzable and bacterially degradable. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the materials of the degradable coating 4 and the substrate 2 are both hydrolyzable and bacterially degradable.

[0026] When sealing by heating, the overlapping portion 3 is applied with external force or pressure, such as external force or pressure applied by the fixed portion and the movable portion respectively arranged below and above the overlapping portion 3. Preferably, the fixed portion is a fixed rod as a core, which is arranged in the hollow core of the curled substrate 2 and parallel to the longitudinal direction LD. The fixed rod is cylindrical and can be made of metal, such as iron or stainless steel. The movable portion is an ultrasonic head installed below the ultrasonic generating module. When the heating and sealing procedures are performed, the ultrasonic head (as a pressing object) moves downward and presses on the overlapping portion 3. When the first long side 13 and the second long side 14 gradually converge and overlap to form a curled substrate 2 with an overlapping portion 3, the curled substrate 2 moves along the inside of the guide tube and surrounds the fixed rod arranged in the hollow core of the curled substrate 2, and the pressing object presses on the overlapping portion 3, and when the overlapping portion 3 is heated and sealed, force or pressure is applied to the overlapping portion 3 against the fixed rod. The ultrasonic head conducts the ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic generator and generates heat to the overlapping portion 3. The degradable coating 4 on the overlapping portion 3 of the substrate 2 is heated and melted, thereby bonding and forming the overlapping portion 3. Under the action of an external force (such as gravity), the weight of the ultrasonic head plus the weight of the ultrasonic generator is applied to the overlapping portion 3 against the fixing rod. The pressure applied by the external force is in the range of about 100 to 250 kg·m / s2.

[0027] Therefore, the overlapping portion 3 becomes denser and tougher than the substrate 2 itself, so the ratio of the second thickness t2 to the first thickness t1 is less than 2. Based on the present invention, because the overlapping portion 3 of the straw 1 is subjected to external force or pressure during heating and sealing, the material density of the overlapping portion 3 is higher than the material density of the non-overlapping portion 5 of the substrate 2 (the non-overlapping portion 5 has the first thickness t1), and the liquid absorption rate is reduced, so its durability to liquid is higher than that of the straw that is not subjected to external force or pressure. This effect achieved by the present invention is superior to the prior art.

[0028] Moreover, the degradable coating 4 acts as a medium for sealing the overlapping portion 3, and no adhesive material is required. The material selected for the degradable coating 4 is water-based and easily decomposed in the natural environment, so it can be recycled. This effect achieved by the present invention is superior to the previous technology.

[0029] See also Figure 1A and Figure 4 , which shows that the straw 1 of the present invention has a flat end 12 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction LD of the straw 1. Figure 1B and Figure 4 , which shows that the straw 1 of the present invention has a flat end 12 inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction LD of the straw 1. In addition, please refer to Figure 1C , which shows that the straw 1 of the present invention has an overlap 3, two longitudinal sides 31 and 32 of which are straight, and one of the two longitudinal sides 31 and 32 (for example, the first longitudinal side 31) is in a straight line with the sharp point / tip 16 of the straw 1. After the process of rolling the substrate 2 into a round tube, the rolled substrate 2 is sealed and cut to form Figure 1A or Figure 1B The straw 1 shown. Based on the present invention, since the first longitudinal side 31 and the sharp point 16 are in a straight line, and since the sharp point 16 has at least a portion of the overlapping portion 3, the sharp point 16 is strengthened. Therefore, the straw 1 is more likely to pierce the sealing film on the portable paper cup. The sealing film is heat-sealable and is generally one of ES film, AP film, PP film, PE film and paper film. This effect achieved by the present invention is better than the prior art.

[0030] Please refer to Figure 2 , which shows that the nominal diameter D of the straw 1 is 4 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm or 12 mm, but is not limited thereto.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the invention, the substrate 2 is made of fluorine-free paper, and the paper is food grade. Therefore, the paper straw of the invention is harmless to the human body and is beneficial to environmental protection. In addition, the invention is also applicable to straws made of plastic materials.

[0032] See also Figure 3A, which shows that the substrate 2 has a first surface 21 on which the degradable coating 4 is coated. The degradable coating 4 has a third thickness t3, which ranges from 0.014 mm to 0.020 mm, which corresponds to a weight range of 10 g / m2 to 15 g / m2 for the degradable coating 4. The degradable coating 4 is at least one of hydrolyzable and bacterially degradable. In addition, the degradable coating 4 is one of waterproof and non-waterproof, and is preferably waterproof.

[0033] According to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3B As shown, the substrate 2 has a second surface 22 coated with a degradable coating 4 .

[0034] Please refer to Figure 4 , wherein the display substrate 2 has a first short side 15, the first short side 15 has a first width W1, the overlapping portion 3 has an overlapping width W2, and the ratio of the overlapping width W2 to the first width W1 ranges from 0.051 to 0.131.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 1C and Figure 4 , the substrate 2 has a first short side 15 in the shape of a zigzag line, wherein the first short side 15 includes a first edge 151, a second edge 152 and a third edge 153. The first edge 151 has a first sub-length L1, and the second edge 152 has a second sub-length L2. The first edge 151 and the third edge 153 overlap each other to form an overlapping edge 30 of the overlapping portion 3. The first edge 151 and the second edge 152 have the same acute angle θ (theta) relative to the longitudinal direction LD of the tubular straw body 11. In order to enable the straw 1 to better pierce the sealing film on the portable paper cup, the acute angle θ is preferably 35° to 65°.

[0036] See also Figure 1C , Figure 2 and Figure 4 When viewed from the overlapping edge 30, the first long side 13 may be located above the second long side 14; or alternatively, the second long side 14 may be located above the first long side 13. The first sub-length L1 is equal to the second sub-length L2.

[0037] When forming the straw 1 by cutting the round tube of the substrate 2 to form the end portion 12 inclined relative to the longitudinal direction LD of the tubular straw body 11, there may be a margin of tolerance for cutting errors. Figure 1C , wherein the first longitudinal side 31 shown is not offset from the sharp point 16. However, according to another embodiment of the invention, the first longitudinal side 31 is slightly offset from the sharp point 16 (however, Figure 1C In this case, the first longitudinal side 31 and the sharp point 16 will not be in a straight line. Figure 5FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention showing a substrate being flattened and stretched, and also shows a partial enlarged view of the end of the straw. Figure 5 As shown, the overlap width W2 is composed of a third width W3 indicated near the first long side 13 and a fourth width W4 indicated near the second long side 14. Since the substrate 2 is rolled into a tube and sealed before forming the straw 1, a sealed rolled substrate 2 having an overlap 3 is formed, and the nominal diameter D of the straw 1 is the same, and the circumference of the straw 1 is also maintained the same, when the straw 1 is flattened and viewed from above, the overlap width W2 is equal to W3 minus W4. In other words, if the first longitudinal side 31 is in a straight line with the cusp 16, W4 is zero and W3 is equal to W2, and if the first longitudinal side 31 deviates from the cusp 16, W3 is greater than W2, and W4 is equal to W3 minus W2. Due to cutting deviations / tolerances, for substrates having a first width W1 of 43 mm, 29 mm or 23 mm, W4 is in the range of 0-1.0 mm.

[0038] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Schematic diagram showing how to cut to form a straw according to two embodiments of the invention. Fig. 6A and Figure 6B , which shows the two directions in which the sealed curled substrate 2 will be cut. The two cutting lines are along C1-C1 and C2-C2, wherein the cutting line C1-C1 is inclined, and the cutting line C2-C2 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction LD. Fig. 6A and Figure 6B The difference is that after the sealed curled substrate 2 is cut, the end 12 of the obtained straw 1 is beveled upward or beveled downward. Figure 6B As shown, the sealed curled substrate 2 is cut along two cutting lines C3 - C3 and C2 - C2 .

[0039] Test Results

[0040] Straws having paper substrate thicknesses of 0.265 mm and 0.295 mm were tested, with degradable coatings on both surfaces of the paper substrate.

[0041] 1. Measure the base material thickness t1 and the overlapping thickness t2

[0042] Substrate thickness t1 0.265mm 0.295mm Overlap thickness t2 0.38mm 0.53mm t2 / t1 ratio 1.4340 1.7966

[0043] It can be seen that the ratio of the thickness of the overlapping portion to the thickness of the substrate is about 1.4 to 1.8. Preferably, the ratio of the thickness of the overlapping portion to the thickness of the substrate is about 1.43 to 1.8.

[0044] 2. Measure the first width and overlapping width of the substrate

[0045]

[0046] It can be seen that the ratio of the width of the overlapping portion to the first width of the substrate is approximately in the range of 0.051 to 0.131.

[0047] 3. Piercing test of sealing films with different paper thicknesses

[0048] Sealing membrane 0.265mm thick 0.295mm thick ES membrane O O AP Film O O PP film O O PE film O O Paper film O O

[0049] Note: “O” indicates successful puncture; and

[0050] "X" means failure

[0051] It can be seen that the test straws of the present invention successfully pierced various sealing membranes.

[0052] 4. Immersion test results of sealing films with different paper thicknesses

[0053] The straws of the invention were tested by soaking them in room temperature water. Another manufacturer's straws with similar thickness were also tested as a comparative example.

[0054]

[0055]

[0056] Note: "O" means success, that is, no softening and no decomposition;

[0057] "△" means softening but no decomposition; and

[0058] "X" means failed, i.e. softened and decomposed

[0059] It can be seen that the straws with thicknesses of 0.265 mm, 0.285 mm and 0.295 mm in the present invention all lasted up to 48 hours without decomposition, while the straws with thicknesses of 0.25 mm, 0.28 mm, 0.3 mm and 0.34 mm in the comparative embodiments only lasted 2 hours, 4 hours, 4 hours and 8 hours without decomposition, respectively. Therefore, the test straws of the present invention have better water resistance than the test straws of another manufacturer. The soaking time / duration of the present straws without decomposition is more than 24 times (calculated by dividing 48 hours by 2 hours) or more than 6 times (calculated by dividing 48 hours by 8 hours) longer than the products of other manufacturers.

[0060] Based on the above, it can be understood that, first, the straw according to the present invention has higher durability against liquids because the overlapping portion of the straw is subjected to external force or pressure during heating and sealing, so that the material density of the overlapping portion is higher than that of the non-overlapping portion. Secondly, the straw according to the present invention has higher strength at the sharp point, making it easier to pierce the sealing film on the portable paper cup, such as ES film, AP film, PP film, PE film and paper film, because the first longitudinal side 31 is in a straight line or close to a straight line with the sharp point 16 and slightly deviates. Third, because the straw according to the present invention is cut into finished products after the substrate is curled and sealed, the manufacturing procedure of the straw for portable paper cups of the present invention is much simpler than that of the prior art. Fourth, the paper straw of the present invention is harmless to the human body and is beneficial to environmental protection. Fifth, since the paper straw of the present invention does not contain plastic coating, the paper straw can be recycled to obtain pulp, and then the pulp can be reused to produce new paper straws, thereby reducing the cost of recycling paper materials and remanufacturing paper straws. The above effects are unpredictable or unachievable by the prior art.

[0061] Although the invention has been described in accordance with what are currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar configurations included in the spirit and scope of the appended patent claims, which should be consistent with the broadest interpretation to cover all such modifications and similar structures.

[0062] Component Symbol Table

[0063] 1. Straw

[0064] 2: Base material

[0065] 3: Overlapping

[0066] 4: Degradable coating

[0067] 5: Non-overlapping part

[0068] 11: Tubular straw body

[0069] 12:End

[0070] 13: First long side

[0071] 14: Second longest side

[0072] 15: First short side

[0073] 16: Point / Sharp Point

[0074] 21: First surface

[0075] 22: Second surface

[0076] 30: Overlapping Edges

[0077] 31: (first) longitudinal side

[0078] 32: Vertical side

[0079] 151: First Edge

[0080] 152: The Second Edge

[0081] 153: The Third Edge

[0082] C1-C1, C2-C2, C3-C3: cutting line

[0083] D: Nominal diameter

[0084] LD: Longitudinal

[0085] L1: first sub-length

[0086] L2: Second sub-length

[0087] t1: first thickness

[0088] t2: second thickness

[0089] t3: third thickness

[0090] w1: first width

[0091] w2: overlap width

[0092] w3: third width

[0093] w4: fourth width

[0094] θ: acute angle

Claims

1. A straw, comprising: A tubular straw body having an end and formed of a substrate, wherein: the substrate has a first long side, a second long side and a first thickness; and The first long side and the second long side overlap to form an overlapping portion with a second thickness, wherein: A ratio of the second thickness to the first thickness is 1.4 to 1.

8.

2. The straw as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The ratio is between 1.43 and 1.

8.

3. The straw as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The straw has a nominal diameter of 4 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm or 12 mm.

4. The straw as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The substrate is made of food-grade paper, has a first surface and a second surface, and at least one of the first surface and the second surface is coated with a decomposable coating.

5. The straw as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: The overlapping portion is sealed by ultrasonically heating the decomposable coating.

6. The straw as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: The decomposable coating is at least one of hydrolyzable and bacterially degradable.

7. The straw as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The substrate has a first short side, the first short side has a first width, the overlapping portion has an overlapping width, and a ratio of the overlapping width to the first width is approximately 0.051 to 0.

131.

8. The straw as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The substrate has a first short side, the first short side is in a broken line shape, the first short side includes a first side with a first sub-length, a second side with a second sub-length, and a third side, the first short side overlaps with the third side to form an overlapping edge of the overlapping portion, the first sub-length is equal to the second sub-length, and the first side and the second side have the same acute angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the tubular straw body.

9. The straw as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: The acute angle is between 35 and 65 degrees.

10. The straw according to claim 1, wherein: The material density of the overlapping portion having the second thickness is greater than the material density of the substrate having the first thickness.

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