Straw

The plant-derived straw design addresses strength and cost issues by incorporating annular reinforcing parts with controlled dimensions and through-hole areas, enhancing durability and usability while reducing manufacturing expenses.

JP2025000085APending Publication Date: 2025-01-07FACTORY IMPROVEMENT CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023099739
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-06-19
Publication Date
2025-01-07

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing plant-derived straws face issues with insufficient strength, leading to damage and liquid leakage when held by the user's hand, and high manufacturing costs due to labor-intensive lacquer coating processes.

Method used

A plant-derived straw design featuring a cylindrical straw body with annular reinforcing parts at specific locations, where the reinforcing parts have a smaller inner diameter and thicker thickness than the straw body, and through holes with controlled opening areas to enhance strength and prevent damage while maintaining liquid flow ease.

Benefits of technology

The design ensures robustness against hand pressure, reduces liquid leakage, and adjusts suction ease, while minimizing manufacturing costs by optimizing reinforcing part dimensions and locations.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a plant-derived straw that can suppress manufacturing cost and obtain sufficient strength.SOLUTION: A straw 10 includes: a straw body 12 constituted of a cylindrical part of a stem of a plant; and a reinforcement part 14 constituted of a knot of the stem of the plant. The reinforcement part 14 is formed into an annular shape including a through-hole 16 formed in a radial central part of the knot. The reinforcement part 14 has an inner diameter d2 that is set to be smaller than an inner diameter d1 of the straw body 12. The reinforcement part 14 has a thickness t2 that is set to be thicker than a thickness t1 of the straw body 12. The through-hole 16 has an opening area that is set to be 25% or more and 60% or less of a cross-sectional area of the knot. The reinforcement part 14 is provided within one third of the whole length of the straw body 12 from one end of the straw body 12. A user of the straw 10 grips the reinforcement part 14 by the hand and puts one end of the straw body 12 in the mouth.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plant-based straw that can replace plastic straws. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the use of plant-based straws has become widespread in place of plastic straws in order to reduce the environmental impact. The straw described in Patent Document 1 below is a plant-based straw obtained by cutting the hollow stem of a plant belonging to the Gramineae family to the required length. This straw can keep production costs low, and has excellent tactile feel and water resistance when held in the user's mouth. However, since this straw uses the internodes of the plant, it is difficult to obtain sufficient strength, and the part held by the user's hand is easily damaged and prone to liquid leakage.

[0003] The straw described in Patent Document 2 below is a plant-derived straw obtained by applying lacquer coating to the inside and outside surfaces of a cylindrical natural plant material. Because the inside and outside surfaces of this straw are lacquered, it has the strength to withstand being held by a user's hand without deformation. However, there is a problem in that the process of applying lacquer is troublesome, and the manufacturing cost is high.

[0004] In addition, the straw described in the examples of Patent Document 2 uses nodes made of natural plant materials, but since the nodes have through holes formed therein with an inner diameter the same as the inner diameter of the rest of the tubular part, the reinforcing effect of the nodes cannot be fully obtained. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3240679 [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3223326 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention has been made to address the above problems, and aims to provide a plant-derived straw that can keep production costs low while obtaining sufficient strength.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the straw of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a straw body formed from the tubular portion of a plant stem and a reinforcing portion formed from a node of the stem, the reinforcing portion being formed in a ring shape with a through hole formed in the radial center of the node, the inner diameter of the reinforcing portion being set smaller than the inner diameter of the straw body, and the thickness of the reinforcing portion being set thicker than the thickness of the straw body.

[0008] In this configuration, the inner diameter of the reinforcing part is set smaller than the inner diameter of the straw body, and the thickness of the reinforcing part is set thicker than the thickness of the straw body, so that the strength of the reinforcing part is higher than the strength of the straw body. Therefore, even if the reinforcing part is gripped by the user's hand, the reinforcing part is less likely to be damaged and liquid leakage is less likely to occur. The straw manufacturer can adjust the inner diameter and thickness of the reinforcing part by adjusting the size of the through hole, so that the ease of sucking liquid when the user sucks it up can be adjusted, and the strength of the reinforcing part can be adjusted. Furthermore, the strength of the reinforcing part can be reliably ensured regardless of individual differences in the nodes.

[0009] Another feature of the straw according to the present invention is that the opening area of ​​the through hole is set to be 25% or more and 60% or less of the cross-sectional area of ​​the node.

[0010] In this configuration, the opening area of ​​the through hole is set to 25% or more of the cross-sectional area of ​​the node, so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the liquid flow path can be sufficiently secured, and the ease with which the user can suck up liquid can be prevented from being impaired. Also, the opening area of ​​the through hole is set to 60% or less of the cross-sectional area of ​​the node, so that the strength of the reinforcing part can be prevented from being impaired.

[0011] Another feature of the straw of the present invention is that the reinforcing portion is provided within a range of 1 / 3 of the total length of the straw body from one end of the straw body.

[0012] In this configuration, when the longer of the two portions of the straw body sandwiching the reinforcement portion is inserted into a beverage, the reinforcement portion is positioned close to the user's mouth, making it easy for the user to grasp the reinforcement portion with their hands.

[0013] Another feature of the straw according to the present invention is that it comprises a plurality of the reinforcing portions.

[0014] With this configuration, the user can select and hold one of the multiple reinforcing parts that is easy to grip, making it possible to use the straw comfortably.

[0015] Another feature of the straw of the present invention is that it has two reinforcing parts, one of which is provided within a range of 1 / 3 of the total length of the straw body from one end of the straw body, and the other reinforcing part is provided within a range of 1 / 3 of the total length of the straw body from the other end of the straw body.

[0016] With this configuration, when the straw body is inserted into a beverage, whether one end or the other end is inserted, the reinforcing portion is positioned close to the user's mouth, making it easy for the user to grasp the reinforcing portion with their hand.

[0017] Another feature of the straw according to the present invention is that the reinforcing portion has a protruding hook portion that hooks onto the inside of the user's lips and is provided at the end of the straw body.

[0018] In this configuration, a user can hold the reinforcing part in their mouth and hook the hook part onto the inside part of their lips, thereby making it difficult for the straw to slip out of their mouth.

[0019] Another feature of the straw of the present invention is that the plant is a grass family plant having leaf sheaths covering the surface of the stem, and the surface of the straw body is provided with an outer covering made up of the leaf sheaths.

[0020] In this configuration, the straw body is reinforced with the covering, so that the straw body is less likely to be damaged even if the entire straw is subjected to external force. Also, because the surface of the straw body is covered with the covering, the straw body is less likely to become dirty. Furthermore, because the covering is made of a leaf sheath, it can be easily removed by the user.

[0021] Another feature of the straw according to the present invention is that the tip of the outer covering is formed from the protruding leaf auricles of the grass family plant.

[0022] In this configuration, a user can easily grasp the tip of the cover, which is formed with protruding abutments, with his or her hands, making it easy to remove the cover. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the configuration of a straw according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a cross-sectional view, (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IB-IB in (A), and (C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IC-IC in (A). [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the structure of a grass family plant. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the structure of a portion of a grass family plant focusing on an auricle, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a portion of a grass family plant focusing on a node. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a drying process in the straw manufacturing method. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a cutting step in the straw manufacturing method. [Figure 6] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a perforation step in the straw manufacturing method. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10(A) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a straw according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 10(B) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a straw according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13(A) is a front view showing the configuration of a straw according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 13(B) is a front view showing the configuration of a straw according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a straw according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] The straw 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is obtained from a plant 1 belonging to the Gramineae family (hereinafter referred to as a "Gramineae plant"), so the following will first explain the structure of the Gramineae plant 1, and then explain the structure of the straw 10. The type of Gramineae plant 1 is not particularly limited, and wheat, bamboo grass, reed, rice, and Japanese silver grass can be used, but in this embodiment, wheat is used.

[0026] (Composition of Grass family plants) Fig. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the grass plant 1. Fig. 3(A) is a perspective view showing the configuration of a portion of the grass plant 1 centered on the leaf auricle 4b, and Fig. 3(B) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a portion of the grass plant 1 centered on the node 3a.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 2, a grass plant 1 has roots 2, stems 3, leaves 4, and inflorescences 5 having numerous grains 5a. The stems 3 have a plurality of nodes 3a and a plurality of tubular portions (internodes) 3b extending on both sides of the nodes 3a. As shown in Fig. 3(B), the nodes 3a are solid portions located between the two tubular portions 3b, and the outer diameter of the nodes 3a is often larger than the outer diameter of the tubular portions 3b.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 3(A), the leaf 4 has a sheath 4a, two auricles 4b, a ligule 4c, a blade 4d, and a collar 4e. As shown in Fig. 3(B), the sheath 4a is tubular so as to encase the tubular portion 3b of the stem 3, and the base end of the sheath 4a is connected to the node 3a.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 3(A), the auricle 4b is formed in a protrusion shape at the tip of the leaf sheath 4a so as to protrude radially from the surface of the stem 3. The ligule 4c is formed at the tip of the leaf sheath 4a so as to follow the surface of the stem 3. The blade 4d is formed at the tip of the leaf sheath 4a so as to branch out and extend from the stem 3. The collar 4e is formed in a C-shaped ring shape so as to connect the leaf sheath 4a, auricle 4b, ligule 4c, and blade 4d to each other.

[0030] As described above, in the grass plant 1, the base end of the leaf sheath 4a is connected to the node 3a of the stem 3 (FIG. 3(B)), and the tip end of the leaf sheath 4a is fixed to the tubular part 3b of the stem 3 by a C-shaped collar 4e (FIG. 3(A)). Therefore, the leaf sheath 4a does not easily detach from the surface of the stem 3, but if the stem 3 and the leaf 4 are in a dry state, the leaf sheath 4a can be peeled off from the surface of the stem 3 or torn off from the node 3a by hand.

[0031] (Structure of straw according to first embodiment) Fig. 1 shows the structure of a straw 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with Fig. 1(A) being a cross-sectional view, Fig. 1(B) being a cross-sectional view taken along line IB-IB in Fig. 1(A), and Fig. 1(C) being a cross-sectional view taken along line IC-IC in Fig. 1(A). Note that the "cross-sectional view" here refers to a cross-sectional view of the entire straw 10.

[0032] The straw 10 shown in Figure 1(A) is a plant-derived straw obtained from the grass family plant 1 shown in Figure 2, and has a straw body 12 formed from the tubular part 3b of the stem 3, and a reinforcing part 14 formed from the node 3a of the stem 3.

[0033] The straw body 12 constitutes the liquid flow path R (FIG. 1(B)) through which the beverage flows, and has a first portion 12a and a second portion 12b located on either side of the reinforcing portion 14 in the axial direction. The first portion 12a and the second portion 12b are formed in a tubular shape with a circular cross section, and are connected via the reinforcing portion 14.

[0034] The inner diameter d1 and outer diameter D1 of the straw body 12 (i.e., the first portion 12a and the second portion 12b) shown in Fig. 1(B) are determined by the inner diameter and outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 3b shown in Fig. 2. In this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 3b is selected so that the inner diameter d1 is within the range of 3.5 to 4.5 mm and the outer diameter D1 is within the range of 4.0 to 5.0 mm.

[0035] The length L of the straw body 12 shown in Fig. 1(A) is determined by the length of the cut-out tubular portion 3b shown in Fig. 2. In this embodiment, the material 18 (Fig. 5) is cut out from the grass plant 1 (Fig. 2) so that the length L is within the range of 100 to 200 mm. The above numerical values ​​are not particularly limited and may be changed as appropriate.

[0036] The reinforcing part 14 shown in Fig. 1(A) is a part that is held by the user's hand, and has the function of reinforcing the straw 10 so that the straw 10 is not damaged when held by the user's hand. In this embodiment, one reinforcing part 14 is provided within a range of 1 / 3 of the total length of the straw body 12 from one end of the straw body 12. In other words, the reinforcing part 14 is formed in a part that is located above the water surface of the liquid when the straw body 12 is inserted into the liquid.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1(C), the reinforcing portion 14 is formed in a ring shape having a through hole 16 formed in the radial center of the node 3a (FIG. 3(B)) of the grass plant 1, and the liquid flow path R of the first portion 12a and the second portion 12b shown in FIG. 1(B) are connected via the through hole 16.

[0038] The inner diameter d2 of the reinforcing portion 14 shown in Fig. 1(C) is set to be smaller than the inner diameter d1 of the straw body 12 shown in Fig. 1(B). In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the through hole 16 is set so that the inner diameter d2 is within the range of 2.0 to 3.0 mm. The outer diameter D2 of the reinforcing portion 14 shown in Fig. 1(C) is determined by the outer diameter of the node 3a shown in Fig. 3(B). In this embodiment, the node 3a is selected so that the outer diameter D2 is within the range of 4.0 to 7.0 mm.

[0039] The thickness t2 of the reinforcing part 14 shown in Fig. 1(C) is set to be thicker than the thickness t1 of the straw body 12 shown in Fig. 1(B). In other words, the inner diameter of the through hole 16 formed in the section 3a is set so that the thickness t2 of the reinforcing part 14 is thicker than the thickness t1 of the straw body 12. Note that the above numerical values ​​are not particularly limited and may be changed as appropriate.

[0040] If the opening area of ​​the through hole 16 of the reinforcing part 14 shown in Fig. 1(C) is less than 25% of the cross-sectional area of ​​the node 3a shown in Fig. 3(B), the cross-sectional area of ​​the liquid flow path R shown in Fig. 1(B) becomes too narrow, which may impair the ease with which a user sucks up liquid. Also, if the opening area of ​​the through hole 16 of the reinforcing part 14 is greater than 60% of the cross-sectional area of ​​the node 3a, the strength of the reinforcing part 14 may be impaired. Therefore, in this embodiment, in addition to the above conditions, the opening area of ​​the through hole 16 of the reinforcing part 14 is set to be 25% or more and 60% or less of the cross-sectional area of ​​the node 3a.

[0041] (Method of manufacturing straw according to the first embodiment) 4, 5, and 6 are diagrams showing the manufacturing method of the straw 10, with Fig. 4 being a front view showing the "drying step", Fig. 5 being a front view showing the "cutting step", and Fig. 6 being a cross-sectional view showing the "perforation step". When manufacturing the straw 10, the "drying step", "cutting step", "perforation step", and "sterilization step" are carried out in this order. Note that the "sterilization step" is not shown in the drawings.

[0042] In the "drying step" shown in Fig. 4, the grass family plant 1 harvested in the field is dried by a method such as drying in the sun. After the "drying step" is completed, a "threshing step" is performed in which the rice grains 5a are removed from the inflorescence 5. The "threshing step" is not directly related to the manufacturing method of the straw 10, and may be omitted. In Fig. 4, the rice grains 5a before being removed from the inflorescence 5 in the "threshing step" are indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0043] In the "cutting process" shown in Fig. 5, a material 18 of a required length is cut out from the dried grass plant 1, and the leaves 4 are removed from the material 18. In Fig. 5, the removed leaves 4 are indicated by a two-dot chain line. In Figs. 5 and 6, the reference numerals of the parts of the material 18 are followed by the reference numerals of the corresponding parts of the straw 10 in parentheses.

[0044] As described above, in this embodiment, the straw 10 has one reinforcing part 14, and the length L of the straw body 12 is set within the range of 100 to 200 mm. Therefore, in the "cutting out process", a material 18 having one reinforcing part 14 is cut out from the grass plant 1 with a length within the range of 100 to 200 mm. The number of materials 18 cut out from one grass plant 1 is not particularly limited, and may be one or more.

[0045] In the "perforation process" shown in Fig. 6, a through hole 16 is formed in the radial center of the node 3a of the material 18 using a perforation tool (not shown) such as a hand drill. Since various conditions are set for the reinforcing part 14 of the straw 10 in order to obtain sufficient strength, the inner diameter of the through hole 16 is set so as to satisfy these conditions. The type of perforation tool is not particularly limited, and an electric drill or the like may be used instead of the hand drill.

[0046] In the "sterilization process" not shown, the straw 10 completed through each of the above processes is sterilized. The method of sterilizing the straw 10 is not particularly limited, but boiling sterilization by boiling in hot water, boiling sterilization by pouring hot water over the straw 10, etc. can be used.

[0047] (Effects of the straw according to the first embodiment) According to this embodiment, the above configuration can provide the following effects. That is, the inner diameter d2 of the reinforcing part 14 is set smaller than the inner diameter d1 of the straw body 12, and the thickness t2 of the reinforcing part 14 is set thicker than the thickness t1 of the straw body 12, so the strength of the reinforcing part 14 is higher than the strength of the straw body 12. Therefore, even if the reinforcing part 14 is gripped by the user's hand, the reinforcing part 14 is unlikely to be damaged and liquid leakage is unlikely to occur.

[0048] By adjusting the size of the through-hole 16, the manufacturer of the straw 10 can adjust the inner diameter d2 and thickness t2 of the reinforcing part 14, thereby adjusting the ease with which the user can suck up liquid and the strength of the reinforcing part 14. Furthermore, the strength of the reinforcing part 14 can be reliably ensured regardless of individual differences in the joints 3a.

[0049] Since the opening area of ​​the through hole 16 formed in the reinforcing portion 14 is set to 25% or more of the cross-sectional area of ​​the joint 3a, it is possible to ensure a sufficient cross-sectional area of ​​the liquid flow path R and prevent the ease of sucking liquid when the user sucks it from being impaired. Also, since the opening area of ​​the through hole 16 is set to 60% or less of the cross-sectional area of ​​the joint 3a, it is possible to prevent the strength of the reinforcing portion 14 from being impaired.

[0050] The reinforcing part 14 is provided within a range of 1 / 3 of the total length of the straw body 12 from one end of the straw body 12, so the first part 12a of the straw body 12 is shorter than the second part 12b. Therefore, when the longer second part 12b is inserted into a drink, the reinforcing part 14 is located near the user's mouth, making it easy for the user to grasp the reinforcing part 14 with their hand.

[0051] (Modification) Fig. 7(A) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a straw 20 according to a second embodiment, and Fig. 7(B) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a straw 22 according to a third embodiment. Fig. 8(A) is a front view showing the configuration of a straw 24 according to a fourth embodiment, and Fig. 8(B) is a front view showing the configuration of a straw 26 according to a fifth embodiment.

[0052] The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. That is, in the first embodiment, the straw 10 is made of a grass plant 1, but instead of the grass plant 1, other types of plants having a stem 3 with nodes 3a and a tubular portion 3b may be used.

[0053] In the first embodiment, the reinforcing part 14 is provided within a range of 1 / 3 of the total length of the straw body 12 from one end of the straw body 12, but the position of the reinforcing part 14 is not limited to this and may be changed as appropriate. In addition, the opening area of ​​the through hole 16 is set to 25% or more of the cross-sectional area of ​​the joint 3a, but is not limited to this and may be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the sizes of other parts of the straw 10 may also be changed as appropriate.

[0054] In the above first embodiment, the reinforcing portion 14 is configured as a portion to be held by the user's hand, but as in the straw 20 of the second embodiment shown in Figure 7 (A), the reinforcing portion 14 may be configured as a portion to be held in the user's mouth.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 7(A), in the straw 20 according to the second embodiment, the reinforcing part 14 is provided within a range of a distance of 15 mm from one end of the straw body 12. In other words, the reinforcing part 14 is provided at the end of the straw body 12 so that the user can easily hold it in their mouth. In addition, the reinforcing part 14 has an annular protrusion 14a that protrudes radially outward from the surface of the straw body 12, and a part of the protrusion 14a serves as a hooking part 28 that hooks on the inside of the user's lips. In other words, the reinforcing part 14 has a protruding hooking part 28.

[0056] In this configuration, the user can hold the reinforcing portion 14 in his mouth and hook the hook portion 28 onto the inside of his lips, thereby making it difficult for the straw 10 to slip out of his mouth.

[0057] In the first embodiment, the straw 10 includes one reinforcing part 14, but the straw 10 may include multiple reinforcing parts 14. In this configuration, the user can select and hold one of the multiple reinforcing parts 14 that is easy to hold, allowing the user to use the straw 10 comfortably.

[0058] 7(B) according to the third embodiment, the straw 22 has two reinforcing parts 14, one reinforcing part 14 is provided within a range of 1 / 3 of the total length of the straw body 12 from one end of the straw body 12, and the other reinforcing part 14 is provided within a range of 1 / 3 of the total length of the straw body 12 from the other end of the straw body 12. The first part 12a is located between one end of the straw body 12 and one reinforcing part 14, the second part 12b is located between one reinforcing part 14 and the other reinforcing part 14, and the third part 12c is located between the other end of the straw body 12 and the other reinforcing part 14.

[0059] In this configuration, when the straw body 12 is inserted into a beverage, whether one end or the other end is inserted, the reinforcing portion 14 is located near the user's mouth, making it easy for the user to grasp the reinforcing portion 14 with their hand.

[0060] In the first embodiment, the leaves 4 are completely removed from the material 18 in the "cutting out step" shown in FIG. 5, but a part of the leaves 4 may remain.

[0061] 8(A) includes a straw body 12, one reinforcing part 14, a first outer covering 30 made of the leaf sheath 4a left on the first part 12a of the straw body 12, and a second outer covering 32 made of the leaf sheath 4a left on the second part 12b of the straw body 12. In other words, the first outer covering 30 and the second outer covering 32 made of the leaf sheath 4a are provided on the surface of the straw body 12.

[0062] The base end of the first outer cover 30 is connected to the reinforcing part 14, and the base end of the second outer cover 32 is cut to match the end face of the straw body 12. In addition, the tip end of the second outer cover 32 has the abscissa 4b, ligule 4c, part of the blade 4d, and collar 4e remaining.

[0063] In this configuration, the straw body 12 can be reinforced with the first outer cover 30 and the second outer cover 32, so the straw body 12 is less likely to be damaged even if the entire straw 24 is subjected to an external force. Since the surface of the straw body 12 can be covered with the first outer cover 30 and the second outer cover 32, the straw body 12 is less likely to become dirty.

[0064] In addition, the first outer cover 30 and the second outer cover 32 are composed of the leaf sheath 4a, so they can be easily removed by the user. The second outer cover 32 is fixed to the straw body 12 by the C-shaped collar 4e, so the second outer cover 32 can be detached from the surface of the straw body 12 simply by moving the second outer cover 32 in the axial direction by the user's hand.

[0065] The straw 26 according to the fifth embodiment shown in Fig. 8(B) comprises a straw body 12, two reinforcing parts 14, a first outer covering 34 made of the leaf sheath 4a left on the first part 12a of the straw body 12, and a second outer covering 36 made of the leaf sheath 4a left on the second part 12b of the straw body 12. In other words, the first outer covering 34 and the second outer covering 36 made of the leaf sheath 4a are provided on the surface of the straw body 12.

[0066] The base end of the first outer covering 34 is connected to one of the reinforcing parts 14, and the base end of the second outer covering 36 is connected to the other reinforcing part 14. At the tip of the second outer covering 36, the auricle 4b, the ligule 4c, part of the blade 4d, and the collar 4e remain.

[0067] In this configuration, the straw body 12 can be reinforced with the first outer cover 34 and the second outer cover 36, so the straw body 12 is less likely to be damaged even if the entire straw 26 is subjected to an external force. Since the surface of the straw body 12 can be covered with the first outer cover 34 and the second outer cover 36, the straw body 12 is less likely to become dirty.

[0068] In addition, the first outer covering 34 and the second outer covering 36 are composed of the leaf sheath 4a, so that they can be easily removed by the user's hands. The tip of the second outer covering 36 is composed of the ligule 4c, a part of the blade 4d, and the collar 4e, as well as the protruding leaf abutment 4b, so that the user can easily remove the second outer covering 36 by grasping and pulling the leaf abutment 4b with his or her hand. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] R...Liquid channel, 1...Poaceae, 2...Root, 3...Stem, 3a...Node, 3b...Tubular part, 4...Leaf, 4a...Leaf sheath, 4b...Leaf ear, 4c...Leaf tongue, 4d...Leaf blade, 4e...Collar, 5a...Rice, 5...Inflorescence, 10...Straw, 12...Straw body, 12 a...First part, 12b...Second part, 12c...Third part, 14...Reinforcement part, 14a...Protrusion part, 16...Through hole, 18...Material, 20,22,24,26...Straw, 28...Hatch part, 30,34...First outer cover, 32,36...Second outer cover.

Claims

1. The straw body is made from the tubular part of a plant stem, A reinforcing portion formed by the node of the stem, The reinforcing portion is formed in an annular shape having a through hole formed in a radial center portion of the node, The inner diameter of the reinforcing part is set smaller than the inner diameter of the straw body, A straw, wherein the thickness of the reinforcing portion is set to be thicker than the thickness of the straw body.

2. The straw according to claim 1 , wherein the opening area of ​​the through hole is set to be 25% or more and 60% or less of the cross-sectional area of ​​the node.

3. The straw according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reinforcing portion is provided within a range of 1 / 3 of the total length of the straw body from one end of the straw body.

4. The straw according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of said reinforcing portions.

5. The reinforcing member includes two of the reinforcing members, One of the reinforcing parts is provided within a range of 1 / 3 of the total length of the straw body from one end of the straw body, The straw according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the other reinforcing portion is provided within a range of 1 / 3 of the total length of the straw body from the other end of the straw body.

6. 3. The straw according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing portion has a protruding hook portion that hooks onto the inside of a user's lips and is provided at an end of the straw body.

7. The plant is a grass family plant having a leaf sheath covering the surface of the stem, The straw according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a surface of the straw body is provided with an outer covering made of the leaf sheath.

8. The straw according to claim 7 , wherein the tip of the outer covering is formed from a protruding leaf auricle of the grass family plant.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Lacquered straws

    JP3223326U

  • Plant-based straws

    JP3240679U