Foldable Paper Straw Structure for 180° Bending in Small Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable paper straws struggle to achieve high folding angles of 180° while maintaining a short flexible shaped portion and preserving structural mechanical characteristics and liquid seal integrity, making them incompatible with small containers like 'brik' type containers.
Innovation Solution
A foldable paper straw design featuring a flexible shaped portion with angularly offset depressions along its longitudinal axis, allowing for high angular excursion without compromising structural integrity or seal, achieved through a method involving the creation of depressions on the straw's circular section to facilitate folding of adjacent portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a succession of circumferential annular throats is used to create flexibility, then the straw can fold to some extent, but high folding angles of 180° cannot be achieved without requiring a very long flexible shaped portion
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible shaped portion is segmented into multiple zones of depressions arranged in succession along the longitudinal axis. Each zone contains depressions at different angular positions, creating discrete folding segments that can articulate independently to achieve high folding angles in a compact configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from single-plane annular throats to three-dimensional depressions angularly offset around the circumference. This angular offset creates a multi-dimensional folding pattern that achieves 180° folding angles while maintaining a short axial length of the flexible portion
2Length of moving object
If the flexible shaped portion is made short to fit small containers, then it fits compact containers like brik packages, but achieving 180° folding angles becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple zones of depressions are distributed along the short flexible shaped portion, with each zone contributing a portion of the total folding angle. The cumulative effect of multiple segmented folding zones enables 180° total folding angle while keeping the axial length compact
Solution Approach 2:
The depressions create localized curved folding zones that concentrate bending in specific regions. This curvature distribution allows high folding angles to be achieved within a short axial distance by concentrating deformation in optimized zones rather than distributing it uniformly
3Object-affected harmful factors
If paper material is used to replace plastic for environmental sustainability, then biodegradability improves, but the mechanical resistance of paper makes creating the flexible shaped portion more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The depressions are localized to specific zones along the straw, creating flexibility only where needed while maintaining the structural integrity of the rest of the paper straw. This localized modification reduces overall complexity compared to uniformly complex structures
Solution Approach 2:
The paper straw's physical parameters are modified by creating controlled depressions that change the local stiffness and flexibility characteristics. By adjusting the depth, spacing, and angular distribution of depressions, the flexible shaped portion is optimized for paper material properties while achieving the required folding performance
4Length of moving object
If high folding angles of 180° are achieved, then the straw fits small containers, but maintaining structural mechanical characteristics and liquid seal becomes compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The depressions are pre-formed during manufacturing to create predetermined folding paths. This preliminary structuring ensures that when folding occurs, it follows controlled trajectories that maintain structural integrity and prevent uncontrolled deformation that would compromise the liquid seal
Solution Approach 2:
The zones of depressions act as cushioning elements that distribute and absorb the mechanical stress of folding. By providing these compliant zones in advance, the structure can achieve 180° folding angles while the depressions absorb the deformation energy, protecting the overall structural integrity and maintaining the liquid barrier function
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7a~8
AI summary
Foldable drinking straw (10) made of paper developing along a longitudinal axis (Z), comprising a flexible shaped portion (13) configured to allow a folding, one over the other, of two adjacent portions (14, 15) of the straw (10). The flexible shaped portion (13) is defined by a plurality of depressions (16), disposed in succession along the longitudinal axis (Z), and each made on a limited circumferential portion of the circular section of the straw (10).