A biodegradable straw

Abstract

This invention provides a biodegradable straw, comprising a tube body including an inner tube layer and an outer tube layer joined together. The inner tube layer and the outer tube layer have a connecting portion and an internal gap. The inner tube layer includes a first connecting region and a first free region, and the outer tube layer includes a second connecting region and a second free region. The first connecting region and the second connecting region are interconnected to form the connecting portion. The first free region and the second free region are not connected, forming an internal gap. This internal gap forms a channel with the outside of the tube body. This invention utilizes the interconnected inner and outer tube layers to ensure the overall mechanical properties of the straw, and forms an internal gap in a localized area between the inner and outer tube layers. This internal gap can be used to absorb and store moisture, and provides a relatively stable environment for the reproduction of microbial communities. It also increases the specific surface area of ​​the straw, thereby increasing the degradation rate of the straw.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of straws, and more specifically to a biodegradable straw. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional straws are made of polypropylene, which has extremely high chemical stability in the natural environment and is difficult to decompose by microorganisms. It can remain for decades or even hundreds of years. In order to reduce plastic pollution, more and more regions are beginning to restrict the use of traditional PP straws and instead adopt straws that are more easily degradable.

[0003] There are generally two types of biodegradable straws currently available: the first type is made from biomass materials, most commonly paper straws made from wood pulp, and some other solutions use other biomass materials (such as corn starch, sweet potato starch, etc.) to make biodegradable straws; the second type is made from relatively easy-to-degrade plastics, such as PLA straws and CDA straws. The former degrades faster and has a shorter residual time in the natural environment, but it suffers from insufficient mechanical properties and poor durability during use, and has higher requirements for storage conditions. Therefore, many consumers prefer the latter for its user experience. However, although the latter has a biodegradation pathway, the smooth surface structure of the straw is not conducive to the attachment and reproduction of microorganisms, resulting in the inability to form an effective microbial community, and it still requires a relatively long time to degrade under natural conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a biodegradable straw that can provide a stable breeding space for microorganisms and increase the degradation rate of the straw under natural conditions.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A biodegradable straw includes a biodegradable plastic tube body. The tube body includes an inner tube layer and an outer tube layer that are connected together. The inner tube layer and the outer tube layer have a connecting portion and an internal gap. The inner tube layer includes a first connecting area and a first free area. The outer tube layer includes a second connecting area and a second free area. The first connecting area and the second connecting area are positioned correspondingly and are connected to each other to form the connecting portion. The first free area and the second free area are positioned correspondingly and are not connected to each other, forming an internal gap. The internal gap forms a channel with the outside of the tube body.

[0006] Furthermore, the first connection area and the second connection area are strip-shaped regions extending parallel to the axis of the tube body, and there are a plurality of connection portions evenly arranged around the central axis of the tube body between the inner tube layer and the outer tube layer, and there is an internal gap between any two adjacent connection portions.

[0007] Furthermore, the first connection area and the second connection area are integrated into a single connection structure by thermal fusion.

[0008] Furthermore, the thickness of the inner tube layer is 0.05~0.15mm.

[0009] Furthermore, the thickness of the outer tube layer is 0.03~0.10mm.

[0010] Furthermore, the tube body has a partition in the middle, which divides the tube body into an upper tube body located on the upper side and a lower tube body located on the lower side. The inner tube layer has an annular first partition area, and the outer tube layer has an annular second partition area. The first partition area and the second partition area are integrally connected, thereby interrupting the internal gap.

[0011] Furthermore, the outer tube layer is provided with holes, and the hole structure is located in the second free region and communicates with the internal gap.

[0012] Furthermore, the internal gap forms an opening from the end of the tube that communicates with the outside.

[0013] Furthermore, the tube body includes an insertion tube, a telescopic tube connected to the upper end of the insertion tube, and a drinking tube connected to the end of the telescopic tube, wherein the connecting portion and the internal gap are formed in the insertion tube and the drinking tube.

[0014] Existing research indicates a clear correlation between the degradation rate of biodegradable plastics and their specific surface area. For example, in some experiments, foamed CDA straws degrade more than twice as fast as unfoamed CDA straws. This is because foamed materials possess a large number of pores, which significantly increase the specific surface area of ​​the straw and provide a space for microbial attachment. However, the mechanical strength of foamed straws is significantly weakened compared to unfoamed straws, resulting in a relatively poor user experience. Based on the above research findings, the inventors have comprehensively considered the degradation rate and mechanical properties of straws and proposed the technical solution of this utility model. Specifically, applying this utility model can achieve the following beneficial effects: This invention combines degradation speed and mechanical properties. It utilizes an inner tube layer and an outer tube layer made of interconnected non-foamed materials to ensure the overall mechanical properties of the straw. An internal gap is formed in a local area between the inner and outer tube layers. When the straw is discarded, the internal gap can be used to absorb and store moisture and provide a relatively stable environment for the reproduction of microbial communities. At the same time, the setting of the internal gap also increases the specific surface area of ​​the straw, enabling the straw to have a faster degradation speed. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the cross-section; Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of the image; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention; In the figure, 1-pipe body, 11-inner pipe layer, 111-first connecting area, 112-first free area, 12-outer pipe layer, 121-second connecting area, 122-second free area, 13-connecting part, 14-internal gap, 15-separation part, 16-insertion tube, 17-telescopic tube, 18-drinking tube. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Example

[0017] Reference Figures 1-3An embodiment of this utility model provides a biodegradable straw, which includes a tube body 1 made of non-foamed biodegradable plastic. The tube body 1 includes an inner tube layer 11 and an outer tube layer 12 that are connected together. A connecting portion 13 and an internal gap 14 are provided between the inner tube layer 11 and the outer tube layer 12. The inner tube layer 11 includes a first connecting region 111 and a first free region 112. The outer tube layer 12 includes a second connecting region 121 and a second free region 122. The first connecting region 111 and the second connecting region 112 are positioned correspondingly and are connected to each other to form the connecting portion 13. The first free region 112 and the second free region 122 are positioned correspondingly and are not connected to each other to form the internal gap 14. The first connecting region 111 and the second connecting region 121 are strip-shaped structures extending along the axial direction of the tube body 1. Furthermore, multiple connecting portions 13 are provided between the inner tube layer 11 and the outer tube layer 12. The multiple connecting portions 13 are evenly distributed around the axis of the tube body 1. There is an internal gap 14 between any two adjacent connecting portions 13. The internal gap 14 forms a channel with the outside of the tube body 1, allowing external substances to enter into the internal gap. The channel can be formed in various ways. For example, in the first embodiment, the internal gap 14 forms an opening at the end of the tube body, allowing external substances to seep into the internal gap from the opening at the end. In the second embodiment, the second free region 122 of the outer tube body 12 has a large number of tiny holes, allowing external substances to seep into the internal gap from the holes. In this embodiment, the first connecting region 111 and the second connecting region 121 can be heat-fused together or bonded with glue. From the perspective of process cost and controllability, the heat-fused connection method is preferred.

[0018] After the biodegradable straws provided in the above embodiments are discarded, the internal gaps can be used to absorb and store moisture, and provide a relatively stable environment for the reproduction of microbial communities. At the same time, the setting of internal gaps also increases the specific surface area of ​​the straw, enabling the straw to have a faster degradation rate. Meanwhile, the interconnected non-foamed inner and outer tube layers ensure the mechanical strength of the straw and improve the comfort of use.

[0019] In another embodiment of this utility model, a dividing part 15 is further provided in the middle of the tube body 1. The dividing part 15 divides the tube body 1 into an upper tube body located on the upper side and a lower tube body located on the lower side. The inner tube layer has an annular first dividing area, and the outer tube layer has an annular second dividing area. The first dividing area and the second dividing area are integrally connected, causing the internal gap 14 to be closed and interrupted. The internal gap is divided into two discontinuous upper and lower parts. When the user uses the straw, the lower tube body is immersed in the liquid, and the liquid flows from the cavity in the middle of the straw, rather than from the internal gap, thereby eliminating the influence of the internal gap on liquid absorption. In another embodiment of this utility model, the dividing part 15 can be replaced by a telescopic tube 17. The lower end of the telescopic tube is connected to the insertion tube 16, and the upper end is connected to the drinking tube 18. The connecting part 13 and the internal gap 14 exist in the insertion tube 16 and the drinking tube 18.

[0020] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the thickness of the inner tube layer is 0.05~0.15mm, and the thickness of the outer tube layer is 0.03~0.10mm. The thickness of the inner tube layer is greater than that of the outer tube layer, making the outer tube layer more susceptible to damage due to degradation or external force. When the outer tube layer is damaged, it will further expand the channel between the internal gap 14 and the outside of the tube body, making it easier for moisture and microorganisms to penetrate into the internal gap. In a more preferred embodiment, the outer tube layer can be made relatively brittle by controlling the raw material ratio, making it relatively easy for cracks to appear after compression.

[0021] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A degradable straw, characterized by: The tube (1) is made of biodegradable plastic material. The tube (1) includes an inner tube layer (11) and an outer tube layer (12) that are connected together. The inner tube layer and the outer tube layer have a connection part (13) and an internal gap (14). The inner tube layer includes a first connection area (111) and a first free area (112). The outer tube layer includes a second connection area (121) and a second free area (122). The first connection area (111) and the second connection area (121) are positioned correspondingly. The first connection area (111) and the second connection area (121) are connected to each other to form the connection part (13). The first free area (112) and the second free area (122) are positioned correspondingly. The first free area (112) and the second free area (122) are not connected to each other and form the internal gap (14). The internal gap (14) forms a channel with the outside of the tube (1).

2. The degradable drinking straw of claim 1, wherein: The first connecting area (111) and the second connecting area (121) are strip-shaped areas extending parallel to the axis of the tube body (1). There are a plurality of connecting parts (13) evenly arranged around the central axis of the tube body (1) between the inner tube layer (11) and the outer tube layer (12). There is an internal gap (14) between any two adjacent connecting parts (13).

3. The degradable drinking straw of claim 1, wherein: The first connection area (111) and the second connection area (121) are integrally connected by heat fusion.

4. The degradable drinking straw of claim 1, wherein: The thickness of the inner tube layer (11) is 0.05~0.15mm.

5. A degradable drinking straw according to claim 4, wherein: The thickness of the outer tube layer (12) is 0.03~0.10mm.

6. The degradable drinking straw of claim 1, wherein: The tube body (1) has a partition (15) in the middle, which divides the tube body into an upper tube body located on the upper side and a lower tube body located on the lower side. The inner tube layer (11) has an annular first partition area, and the outer tube layer (12) has an annular second partition area. The first partition area and the second partition area are integrally connected, which interrupts the internal gap (14).

7. The degradable drinking straw of claim 1, wherein: The outer tube layer (12) is provided with holes, the hole structure is located in the second free zone (122) and communicates with the internal gap (14).

8. The degradable drinking straw of claim 1, wherein: The internal gap (14) forms an opening from the end of the tube (1) that communicates with the outside.

9. The degradable drinking straw of claim 1, wherein: The tube body (1) includes an insertion tube (16), a telescopic tube (17) connected to the upper end of the insertion tube, and a drinking tube (18) connected to the end of the telescopic tube. The connecting part (13) and the internal gap (14) are formed in the insertion tube and the drinking tube.

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