Extendable paper straw

Abstract

To enable a compact nested configuration of two cylindrical bodies during storage and to allow length adjustment in use by extracting an internally accommodated portion.SOLUTION: A paper straw comprises a small-diameter tube 1 and a large-diameter tube 2, the small-diameter tube 1 having, at an end portion, a stopper portion 1b whose outer diameter is larger than that of portions other than the end portion, and the large-diameter tube 2 including a first end 2a, an intermediate portion 2c, and a second end 2b. The inner diameter La of the first end is formed larger than the outer diameter S1 of a portion of the small-diameter tube other than the stopper portion. The inner diameters La and Lb of the first end and the second end of the large-diameter tube are formed smaller than the outer diameter S2 of the stopper portion of the small-diameter tube. The inner diameter Lc of the intermediate portion of the large-diameter tube is formed larger than the outer diameter S2 of the stopper portion of the small-diameter tube, with the stopper portion 1b of the small-diameter tube being accommodated inside the intermediate portion 2c of the large-diameter tube.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an expandable paper straw in which an outer cylindrical body houses an inner cylindrical body. [Background technology]

[0002] A wide variety of beverages in paper cartons are available at supermarkets, convenience stores, vending machines, etc. These containers often come with a straw so that the beverage can be consumed without pouring it into a cup.

[0003] Most straws currently in circulation are made of plastic. Plastic straws are seen as a cause of environmental problems, and efforts are underway to reduce their use. For example, several global restaurant chains in various countries have announced that they will eliminate plastic straws. Similarly, in Japan, there are restaurants that have stopped providing plastic straws, and companies that have begun considering eliminating them in the future.

[0004] However, beverages served in containers such as paper cartons are often difficult to drink without a straw unless they can be poured into a cup or other container. In particular, in the case of rectangular containers with a straw insertion section at the top of the container for inserting a straw, it is not assumed that the container will be opened partially to pour the contents into a cup or other container. Therefore, the presence of a straw is essential for such containers.

[0005] Paper straws are gaining attention as an alternative to conventional plastic straws. Paper straws are decomposed by microorganisms present in nature. Therefore, even if they are not properly disposed of and end up in the environment, they can reduce the negative impact on the environment.

[0006] These paper straws are manufactured by gluing paper substrates together with adhesive and forming them into a cylindrical shape. Resins such as vinyl acetate and starch-based glues are commonly used as adhesives. These are considered safe and do not pose any problems if immersed in water for around 30 minutes, as the adhesive components do not leach out. Furthermore, the Food Sanitation Act does not prohibit the use of these adhesive components.

[0007] As mentioned above, paper straws are gradually becoming more popular. However, to be attached to containers such as paper cartons, straws must meet additional requirements regarding their length. To drink a beverage through a straw, the length from the top to the bottom of the container must be sufficient, as well as the length of the part of the straw that is outside the container and can be held in the mouth. Furthermore, it is desirable that the entire straw does not enter the container even when inserted at an angle.

[0008] With such a length, if a straw is attached to the outside of the container, it will protrude from the outer surface of the container. This can cause inconveniences such as inefficient space during transportation and storage, and objects getting caught on the straw and damaging the attached part.

[0009] Patent Document 1 discloses a straw structure consisting of a large-diameter tube and a small-diameter tube formed from a paper substrate, in which the small-diameter tube is inserted into the large-diameter tube, and a spiral groove on the inside of the large-diameter tube and a spiral protrusion on the outside of the small-diameter tube are threadedly engaged. This structure can provide a straw that is short before use and has sufficient length when in use. However, the user must assemble the straw by threading it together when using it. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of making it easier to use. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-92746 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] Drinks in containers such as paper cartons often come with straws. However, most straws currently on the market are made of plastic, and paper straws are gaining attention as an alternative with less environmental impact. Straws that are attached to such containers need to be able to change shape so that they can be attached without protruding from one side of the container.

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide a paper straw that has a compact form with two cylindrical bodies nested inside each other when stored, and can be used by simply pulling out the part stored inside. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to solve the above problems, the paper straw of the present invention comprises a small diameter paper cylinder and a large diameter paper cylinder, the small diameter cylinder having a stopper portion at its end portion which has a larger outer diameter than the portion other than the end portion, the large diameter cylinder comprising a first end, an intermediate portion and a second end, the inner diameter of the first end of the large diameter cylinder being larger than the outer diameter of the portion other than the stopper portion of the small diameter cylinder, the inner diameters of the first end and second end of the large diameter cylinder being smaller than the outer diameter of the stopper portion of the small diameter cylinder, the inner diameter of the intermediate portion of the large diameter cylinder being larger than the outer diameter of the stopper portion of the small diameter cylinder, and the stopper portion of the small diameter cylinder being housed inside the center of the large diameter cylinder. In addition to the above features, the overall length of the small diameter tube is formed to a length that allows the tip of the small diameter tube to protrude outside from the first end of the large diameter tube when the stopper portion is abutted against the second end inside the large diameter tube. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The paper straw of the present invention can be stored by fitting most of the small-diameter tube inside the large-diameter tube, shortening the overall length of the straw. Therefore, it can be attached to a paper-packaged beverage container without protruding from the outer surface. Furthermore, the stopper portion of the small-diameter tube can move within the large-diameter tube, but cannot be removed from either end. Therefore, the straw can be extended or retracted to an appropriate length when in use, but will not separate if pulled out too far, making it extremely easy to use. Furthermore, since the tip of the small diameter cylinder is always exposed to the outside of the large diameter cylinder, the operation of gripping and pulling out the small diameter cylinder becomes easy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a paper straw according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 1 with dimensional symbols added. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, a representative embodiment of the paper straw of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] The paper substrate used in the paper straws of the present invention must have sufficient rigidity and strength to be manufactured and used as a straw. Furthermore, since it is used for drinking, it must be water-resistant and free of coatings and additives that may leach out during use. Furthermore, in order to minimize the environmental impact of the present invention, the paper substrate must be decomposable by natural microorganisms. Any material can be used as long as it meets these requirements.

[0018] The adhesive used in the paper straws of the present invention can be any biodegradable material that does not contain any components that leach out during use, including, but not limited to, resins such as vinyl acetate, starch-based glue, paraffin wax, shellac, and polylactic acid.

[0019] As shown in the schematic cross-sectional structure in Fig. 1 and the partial enlarged view in Fig. 2, the straw of the present invention consists of a small-diameter cylinder 1 made of paper and a large-diameter cylinder 2 made of paper. One end of the small-diameter cylinder 1 is housed inside the large-diameter cylinder 2. At the end of the small-diameter cylinder 1 housed inside the large-diameter cylinder 2, a stopper portion 1b with a relatively larger outer diameter than the other parts of that end is formed. Let the outer diameter of the part of the small-diameter cylinder 1 other than the stopper portion 1b be S1, and the outer diameter of the stopper portion 1b be S2. At this time, the relationship of S1 < S2 holds. In Figs. 1 and 2, the inner diameter of the stopper portion 1b of the small-diameter cylinder 1 is drawn larger than the inner diameter of the part other than the stopper portion, but the inner diameters of each part of the small-diameter cylinder 1 can be the same, and only the paper thickness of the stopper portion 1b can be increased so that the outer diameter S2 is larger than the outer diameter S1 of the part other than the stopper portion 1b.

[0020] Both ends of the large-diameter cylinder 2 are respectively the first end 2a and the second end 2b, and the part between the first end 2a and the second end 2b is the middle part 2c. Also, let the inner diameters of the first end 2a, the second end 2b, and the middle part 2c of the large-diameter cylinder be La, Lb, and Lc respectively. The inner diameter La of the first end of the large-diameter cylinder is formed smaller than the outer diameter S2 of the stopper portion of the small-diameter cylinder and larger than the outer diameter S1 of the part other than the stopper portion of the small-diameter cylinder. That is, the relationship of S1 < La < S2 holds. Also, the inner diameter of the middle part 2c of the large-diameter cylinder is larger than the outer diameter S2 of the stopper portion of the small-diameter cylinder. That is, the relationship of S2 < Lc holds. Therefore, the small-diameter cylinder 1 can be slid arbitrarily inside the large-diameter cylinder 2 within the range until the stopper portion 1b abuts against the first end 2a of the large-diameter cylinder 2, to stretch and contract the straw and adjust its overall length to an appropriate length. Also, since the outer diameter S2 of the stopper portion 1b is larger than the inner diameter La of the first end 2a of the large-diameter cylinder, the small-diameter cylinder 1 will not come out from the first end 2a of the large-diameter cylinder 2.

[0021] The inner diameter Lb of the second end 2b of the large-diameter cylinder 2 is smaller than the outer diameter S2 of the stopper portion 1b of the small-diameter cylinder 1. That is, the relationship of Lb < S2 holds, and the relationship of Lb < S2 < Lc holds. Therefore, the stopper portion 1b cannot slide outside beyond the first end 2a and the second end 2b of the large-diameter cylinder 2, and the small-diameter cylinder 1 will not come out from the second end 2b of the large-diameter cylinder 2.

[0022] As described above, the small-diameter cylinder 1 can be slid arbitrarily inside the large-diameter cylinder 2 until the stopper portion 1b of the small-diameter cylinder 1 abuts against either the first end 2a or the second end 2b of the large-diameter cylinder 2, and the total length of the straw can be adjusted to an appropriate length according to the usage mode. Also, even when it is slid, the small-diameter cylinder 1 does not fall out of the large-diameter cylinder 2.

[0023] The size of the outer diameter S2 of the stopper portion 1b of the small-diameter cylinder 1 may be formed so as to satisfy the relationship of S1 < S2 by adjusting the paper thickness of that portion as described above, or may be formed by applying a force by press molding from the inside and outside of the cylinder to change the outer diameter or the inner diameter. Also, the sizes of the inner diameters La of the first end 2a and the inner diameter Lb of the second end 2b of the large-diameter cylinder 2 may be formed so as to satisfy the relationship of S1 < La < S2 by adjusting the paper thickness of that portion, or may be formed by applying a force by press molding from the inside and outside of the cylinder to change the outer diameter or the inner diameter.

[0024] The lengths of the small-diameter cylinder 1 and the large-diameter cylinder 2 may be arbitrary, but it is preferable that the tip portion 1a of the small-diameter cylinder 1 protrudes from the first end 2a of the large-diameter cylinder 2 in a state where the stopper portion 1b of the small-diameter cylinder 1 abuts against the second end 2b of the large-diameter cylinder 2, that is, in a state where the total length of the straw is shortened the most. Thereby, since the tip portion 1a of the small-diameter cylinder 1 is always exposed to the outside from the first end 2a of the large-diameter cylinder 2, the operation of grasping the tip portion 1a of the small-diameter cylinder 1 with a finger and pulling it out from the large-diameter cylinder 2 becomes easy.

[0025] The paper straw according to the present invention preferably has a pointed shape at the tip portion 1a of the small-diameter cylinder 1 that protrudes from the first end 2a of the large-diameter cylinder 2, although it is not essential. Thereby, it becomes easy to pierce and break through the sealing film provided at the straw insertion portion of the beverage container and insert the straw.

[0026] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made based on the gist of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the technical scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0027] 1 Small diameter tube 1a Tip of small diameter cylinder 1b Stopper part of small diameter cylinder 2 Large diameter cylinder 2a First end of large diameter cylinder 2b Second end of large diameter cylinder 2c Middle part of large diameter cylinder S1 Outside diameter of small diameter cylinder other than stopper S2 Outer diameter of stopper part of small diameter cylinder La Inner diameter of the first end of the large diameter cylinder Lb Inner diameter of the second end of the large diameter barrel Lc Inner diameter of the middle part of the large diameter cylinder

Claims

1. It consists of a small diameter paper cylinder and a large diameter paper cylinder. The small-diameter tube has a stopper portion at its end portion that has an outer diameter larger than that of the portion other than the end portion, the large diameter tube has a first end, a central portion, and a second end; The inner diameter of the first end of the large diameter cylinder is larger than the outer diameter of the portion of the small diameter cylinder other than the stopper portion, The inner diameters of the first end and the second end of the large diameter cylinder are smaller than the outer diameter of the stopper portion of the small diameter cylinder, The inner diameter of the central portion of the large diameter cylinder is larger than the outer diameter of the stopper portion of the small diameter cylinder, A paper straw characterized in that the stopper portion of the small diameter tube is housed inside the center of the large diameter tube.

2. 2. The paper straw of claim 1, wherein the entire length of the small diameter tube is formed to a length such that the tip of the small diameter tube protrudes outward from the first end of the large diameter tube when the stopper portion is in contact with the second end of the large diameter tube.

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