Reusable Elastic Straw with Deformable Membrane for Cleaning Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional disposable drinking straws are difficult to clean effectively for reuse, leading to incomplete sanitation and potential environmental issues.
Innovation Solution
A drinking straw device comprising a molded elastic sheet with curved and bent portions that can be deformed to allow for easy cleaning, featuring inward and outward biasing forces for frictional engagement, enabling thorough cleaning and automatic return to its natural state, made from a thermoplastic material like silicone for durability and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional disposable drinking straws are used, then environmental pollution is reduced through disposal, but cleaning effectiveness for reuse deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The straw incorporates a deformable membrane that can be dynamically changed from a sealed state to an open state. The membrane is pushed inward by a user's finger to create an opening, allowing cleaning tools to access the interior surface. This dynamic transformation enables effective cleaning while maintaining the straw's sealed structure during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the deformable membrane with opening) that mediates between the need for a sealed straw structure and the need for cleaning access. The membrane acts as a controllable barrier that can be temporarily opened for cleaning purposes and then restored to its sealed state.
2Strength
If the straw structure is made sealed and intact, then structural integrity is maintained, but cleaning access to interior surfaces is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The straw incorporates a deformable membrane that can be dynamically changed from a sealed state to an open state. The membrane is pushed inward by a user's finger to create an opening, allowing cleaning tools to access the interior surface. This dynamic transformation enables effective cleaning while maintaining the straw's sealed structure during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible membrane as a thin film structure that can deform under applied force. This flexible film allows the straw to maintain its sealed integrity while permitting temporary opening for cleaning access when force is applied to deform the membrane.
3Ease of manufacture
If the straw is designed for single-use disposal, then cleaning requirements are eliminated, but environmental sustainability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the straw to be recovered and reused multiple times by providing an effective cleaning mechanism. The deformable membrane allows the interior surface to be cleaned and sanitized, restoring the straw for subsequent use and reducing material waste associated with single-use disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The straw is designed with a built-in cleaning access mechanism that is prepared in advance. The deformable membrane structure is pre-configured to allow easy opening for cleaning purposes, eliminating the need for complex disassembly procedures and enabling straightforward reuse preparation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device allows for thorough cleaning of the straw tube while maintaining structural integrity to prevent air leaks and accommodate various drink contents, facilitating reuse and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
bring the inward surface of the first bent portion and the outward surface of the second bent portion into frictional and abutting engagement with each other
Implementation Method 2
molded elastic sheet having a curved base portion, a first bent portion, and a second bent portion
Data Source
AI summary
A drinking straw device includes a molded elastic sheet having a curved base portion, a first bent portion, and a second bent portion. The first and second bent portions are disposed at two opposite sides of the curved base portion to permit an inward surface of the first bent portion to overlap an outward surface of the second bent portion. The first and second bent portions are respectively imparted with an inward biasing force and an outward biasing force so as to bring the inward surface of the first bent portion and the outward surface of the second bent portion into frictional and abutting engagement with each other to thereby allow the molded elastic sheet to constitute a straw tube extending along a tube axis.