Two-Portion Drinking Straw Design for Easy Internal Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Disposable drinking straws are impractical for reuse due to their long internal channels being difficult to clean, as existing methods require soaking or using tools like pipe cleaners.

Innovation Solution

A drinking straw design that splits into two separate portions, allowing for easy disassembly and cleaning by hand or dishwasher, with snap or slide features to securely assemble and disassemble the straw without tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If disposable drinking straws are used, then ease of operation is improved (no cleaning needed), but loss of substance worsens (environmental pollution)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of useVSAvoidenvironmental pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The drinking straw is divided into two separable portions that can be disconnected from each other. This segmentation allows the internal channel to be accessed for cleaning while maintaining the functional integrity of the straw when assembled, enabling reuse without environmental pollution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of substance

If the straw is made reusable, then loss of substance improves (reduced waste), but ease of operation worsens (difficult to clean internal channel)

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereusabilityVSAvoidcleaning difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the straw into two portions that can be separated, the internal channel becomes accessible for cleaning. Users can easily wash the interior by running water through the disconnected portions or using cleaning tools, solving the cleaning difficulty while maintaining reusability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The straw transitions from a static, sealed structure to a dynamic, separable structure. The connection between portions can be assembled and disassembled as needed, allowing the straw to adapt between its functional state (assembled) and cleaning state (disassembled).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the straw is made separable for cleaning, then ease of operation improves (easier to clean), but device complexity worsens (additional assembly/disassembly steps)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning easeVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The straw is segmented into two portions with simple connection features. The first portion includes an internal channel and connection features at its end, while the second portion has corresponding connection features. This segmentation enables easy cleaning without requiring complex disassembly mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection features on both portions are designed to mate together through simple geometric shapes (such as protrusions and recesses or friction-fit interfaces). This merging approach allows the two separate portions to be quickly reassembled into a functional straw without complex tools or procedures, balancing cleaning ease with assembly simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10779667B2Drinking straw

Publication Date: 2020.09.22 PACIFIC MARKET INT LLC

AI summary

A drinking straw including first and second straw portions. The second straw portion is configured to be removably attachable to the first straw portion. At least a portion of a through-channel is defined between the first and second straw portions.