Straw Structure with Dual Beveled Edges for Safe Film Puncturing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional non-disposable straws with 90-degree angled bottom portions struggle to puncture sealing films of drink cups, leading to inconvenience in use, and their sharp edges can easily puncture users or carrying pouches.
Innovation Solution
A modified straw structure with a bottom end featuring a first beveled edge and a second beveled edge, forming a puncturing end opening at an acute angle less than 90 degrees, allowing easy penetration of sealing films without causing injury, and accommodating chewables like tapioca balls or fruit pieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the bottom portion of the straw has a 90-degree angle, then the straw structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the straw cannot easily puncture the sealing film of the drink cup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the straw bottom from a 90-degree angle to an acute angle (less than 90 degrees) by introducing beveled edges. This parameter change enables the straw to effectively puncture the sealing film of the drink cup while maintaining structural simplicity and manufacturability.
2Ease of operation
If the bottom portion of the straw has a sharp end with a very small acute angle, then the straw can easily puncture the sealing film, but the sharp end can easily puncture the user's body or the accommodating pouch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different surface characteristics at different locations of the straw bottom. The first beveled edge creates a localized sharp puncturing end opening for effective film penetration, while the second beveled edge provides a broader, less sharp surface that reduces the risk of accidental injury to the user or pouch during handling and storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The straw bottom is segmented into two distinct beveled edges with different functions. The first beveled edge forms the puncturing end opening optimized for puncturing the sealing film, while the second beveled edge forms a broader opening that reduces harmful sharpness. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between puncturing effectiveness and safety.
3Ease of operation
If the bottom portion of the straw has a modified structure with beveled edges, then the puncturing capability and safety are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the straw bottom by introducing two beveled edges with specific angle relationships (first beveled angle less than the second beveled angle, both less than 90 degrees). This parameter change creates the puncturing end opening and beveled opening with appropriate dimensions and orientations, achieving both improved puncturing capability and safety without requiring complex additional components or structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A straw structure is provided. The straw structure includes a straw body, and the straw body has a first beveled edge at an opening of a bottom end of the straw body and a second beveled edge connected to a rear side of the first beveled edge. A puncturing end opening is formed at the first beveled edge and a side edge of the straw body, and the bottom end of the straw body has a beveled opening formed at the second beveled edge. The puncturing end opening is an acute angle that is less than 90 degrees, and a slope of the second beveled edge is greater than a slope of the first beveled edge.