Paper Straw
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable paper straws struggle to achieve high folding angles, such as 180°, while maintaining a short flexible shaped portion and preserving structural mechanical characteristics and liquid sealing, which is crucial for compatibility with small containers like 'brik' type containers.
Innovation Solution
A foldable paper straw design featuring a flexible shaped portion defined by a series of angularly offset depressions along its circular section, allowing for high angular excursion without compromising structural integrity or sealing, achieved through a method involving the creation of these depressions on a cylindrical tubular body of paper during production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If circumferential annular throats with high radii of curvature are used to define the flexible shaped portion, then the straw can achieve folding capability, but the flexible shaped portion becomes very long and incompatible with small containers
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible shaped portion is segmented into multiple identical elements (e.g., three elements) arranged angularly offset from each other around the circumference. Each element contains a depression that acts as an independent folding hinge, allowing the straw to fold through a compact angular excursion rather than requiring a long continuous flexible portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single long flexible portion extending along the straw axis to multiple compact folding elements distributed angularly around the circumference. This dimensional redistribution allows folding to occur through angular offset rather than longitudinal extension, dramatically reducing the length of the flexible shaped portion while maintaining 180° folding capability.
2Shape
If the flexible shaped portion is made very long to achieve high folding angles, then 180° folding is possible, but the straw size increases and is not compatible with small containers
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible shaped portion is divided into multiple identical folding elements arranged around the circumference. Each element contributes to the overall folding angle through its angular offset position, enabling 180° total folding angle while keeping each individual element compact and the overall volume small enough for container compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The depressions are localized to specific circumferential portions rather than distributed uniformly along the entire length. Each depression is positioned at a specific angular offset to create localized folding hinges that collectively achieve high folding angles without requiring a long flexible portion, thus maintaining compact overall dimensions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If paper material is used instead of plastic to improve eco-sustainability, then biodegradability is improved, but the mechanical resistance to folding processes increases making foldable shape production complex
Solution Approach 1:
The depressions are pre-formed into the paper tube during the manufacturing process using a molding or embossing operation. This preliminary action creates the folding geometry before the straw is used, allowing the rigid paper material to be transformed into a foldable structure without requiring complex post-manufacturing processes or compromising the inherent strength of paper.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process parameters are optimized to create precise depression geometries (depth, width, angular offset) that enable paper to fold cleanly along defined lines. By controlling these parameters, the natural mechanical resistance of paper is harnessed rather than overcome, allowing foldable shapes to be produced efficiently while maintaining paper's eco-sustainable advantages.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable drinking straw made of paper developing along a longitudinal axis, and having a flexible shaped portion configured to allow a folding, one over the other, of two adjacent portions of the straw. The flexible shaped portion is defined by a plurality of depressions, disposed in succession along the longitudinal axis, and each made on a limited circumferential portion of the circular section of the straw.