Patent Application
20240057799
The present invention relates generally to drinking straws, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a biodegradable drinking straw that includes a first layer, a second layer and a third layer wherein the second layer is intermediate the first layer and third layer and wherein the first layer and third layer provide structural longevity during use of the straw.
Plastic drinking straws have been in use for decades around the world and are one of the may throw away convenience items that are now causing problems for the environment. It is estimated that hundreds of millions of plastic straws now pollute the coastlines of the word and these straws comprise about one to two percent of the plastic pollution in the oceans. Plastic straws are listed as a top ten contributor to plastic pollution of the oceans. As a result of the aforementioned pollution, many countries and local governments have begun banning use of plastic straws. As a result of the ban, paper straws are now being provided as a environmentally friendly substitute for the plastic straws.
One issue with the paper straws is the structural integrity during use thereof. While the paper straws serve the purpose of being biodegradable and as such will not contribute to the pollution of the ocean, they do not maintain their structural integrity during use. Many brands of straws will begin to wilt and soften after being placed in a drink and utilized by a user in only ten minutes. While this may suit some users, it requires that either the straw be replaced or that the user consumer their beverage while the straw still has the structural integrity to transfer the beverage from the glass to the user.
Accordingly, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide a biodegradable straw that provides maintenance of structural integrity during use thereof for an elongated period of time and still breaks down so as to inhibit contribution to pollution.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a drinking straw that is biodegradable that can maintain structural integrity during use thereof for an increased period of time wherein the present invention includes a first layer, second layer and third layer.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a biodegradable drinking straw that is compostable and has increased structural integrity wherein the second layer is intermediate the first layer and third layer.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a drinking straw that is biodegradable that can maintain structural integrity during use thereof for an increased period of time wherein the second layer is manufactured from paper or similar material.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a biodegradable drinking straw that is compostable and has increased structural integrity wherein the first layer and third layer are deposited onto opposing sides of the second layer utilizing suitable techniques.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a drinking straw that is biodegradable that can maintain structural integrity during use thereof for an increased period of time wherein the first layer can be manufactured from beeswax or other similar material.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to a provide a biodegradable drinking straw that is compostable and has increased structural integrity wherein the third layer is manufactured from beeswax or other similar material.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a drinking straw that is biodegradable that can maintain structural integrity during use thereof for an increased period of time wherein the present invention in elongated and cylindrical in shape having a hollow passage therethrough.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a biodegradable straw 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.
An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.
It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.
Referring in particular to the Figures submitted as a part hereof, the biodegradable straw 100 includes a first layer 10, a second layer 20 and a third layer 30. The body 5 of the biodegradable straw 100 is elongated and cylindrical in shape having a hollow passage 15 extending completely therethrough so as to transfer a liquid from the exemplary vessel 99 to the opening 17 in order to deposit the liquid into a mouth of a user of the biodegradable straw 100. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the biodegradable straw 100 could be provided in alternate lengths and diameters in order to be utilized for various drinking applications.
The second layer 20 is manufactured from paper or similar material wherein the material is biodegradable. Bonded to the inner surface of the second layer 20 is the first layer 10. The first layer 10 completely covers the inner surface of the second layer 20. The first layer 10 extends the length of the body 5 of the biodegradable straw 100. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the first layer 10 is manufactured from beeswax. As is known in the art, beeswax is comprised of approximately seventy-one percent esters, fifteen percent hydrocarbons, eight percent free fatty acids and six percent additional components. The material composition of beeswax provides a maintenance of structural integrity while immersed in a liquid but will ultimately decompose. While beeswax is preferred for the first layer 10, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first layer 10 could be manufactured from alternate suitable materials such as but not limited to soy wax.
The third layer 30 of the body 5 of the biodegradable straw 100 is bonded to the outer surface of the second layer 20. The third layer 30 is configured to completely cover the outer surface of the second layer 20. The third layer 30 in a preferred embodiment of the biodegradable straw 100 is manufactured from beeswax. As discussed herein above, it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the third layer 30 could be manufactured from alternate suitable materials such as but not limited to soy wax.
The structure of the body 5 having the first layer 10 and third layer 30 coat the second layer 20 that is manufactured from paper provides an improved structural integrity of the biodegradable straw 100 as compared to a conventional paper straw. The biodegradable straw 100 of the present invention maintains its structural integrity during immersion in a liquid at least ten times longer than that of a conventional paper straw. The biodegradable straw 100 provides a user with an increased amount of time in order to consume a beverage from the exemplary vessel. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first layer 10 and third layer 30 could be provided in alternate thicknesses in order to offer different lengths of time in which the body 5 will maintain its structural integrity when immersed in various types of liquids. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the first layer 10 and third layer 30 are formed such that the opposing ends of the body 5 are enclosed to ensure no liquid contact with the second layer 20.
In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
