WO2020121000A1

WO2020121000A1 - Reusable metal assembled straw

Info

Publication number: WO2020121000A1
Application number: PCT/GR2019/000087
Authority: WO
Inventors: Georgios TZATHAS
Original assignee: Basis & Basis S.A.
Priority date: 2018-12-11
Filing date: 2019-12-10
Publication date: 2020-06-18
Also published as: GR1009805B; GR20180100549A

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembled reusable metal straw, consisting of three separate portions. Each portion, the straight end portion (1), the straight middle portion (2) and the angular end portion (3), are attachable to the adjacent one either by clasping due to an existing pressed tip (4) or by screwing by means of a thread (5). The article is made of stainless steel or anodized aluminium and generally of food-grade materials. The length of each portion may be equal to or different from the others. Internal cleaning of the object can be done with a special brush (6).

Description

DESCRIPTION

REUSABLE METAL ASSEMBLED STRAW

FIELD OF ART

The invention relates to a metal straw able to assembled and suitable for multiple uses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The reusable assembled metal straw disclosed in the present invention has not been disclosed in the prior art.

In our daily live there are hundreds, if not thousands, of products widely used daily and made of plastic materials. The most common of those are plastic bags and plastic straws. But even if bags are often reused, straws have a useful life between a few minutes and a few hours, and remain as waste for hundreds of years. In 2015 total plastic production was over 300 million tonnes, which means that the average citizen produces 40kg of plastic waste per year. According to surveys, 79% of this waste, regardless if they have been separated by the consumers for recycling, ends up in landfills or generally in nature, 12% is incinerated resulting in air pollution and only 9% is recycled in the proper way. Consequently, it is daily proven that recycling and re-use solutions are not viable alternatives to reducing plastics production and consumption worldwide.

To date, especially for plastic straws, different substitutes have been suggested. Most commonly, these substitutes include materials, such as pressed paper or organic materials such as bamboo, which can either be recycled or disposed of without increasing global pollution. However, these solutions prove to be rather ineffective as said straws lose their shape, being impregnated in the liquids for enough time, leaving a bad taste to the user and virtually failing to accomplish their purpose. In addition, especially in the case of thick beverages, swallowing becomes particularly difficult, as these straws do not maintain their shape. Consequently, it turns out that recycling and using alternative forms of disposable straws is not the solution, as opposed to the proposed solution of a reusable metal straw.

It is thus an object of the present invention to deal with the aforementioned disadvantages and deficiencies of the prior art by proposing a reusable metal straw.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a straw that is made of 100% eco-friendly materials, thereby being fully recyclable.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a metal straw which is composed of individual parts and is easily assembled. Further advantages of the invention are both portability, since the assembled straw does not occupy space, and practicality.

A further object of the invention is to provide an alternative, ecological solution that actively and effectively addresses the problem of solid plastic waste, reducing its quantities and contributing substantially to addressing such a burning global issue.

Another advantage of the invention is that by properly connecting the individual parts forming the straw it can be used in all kinds of beverages.

It is also an advantage of the present invention that this assembled article may be cleaned both by means of a special brush and by using common detergents, without requiring any type of special management.

An advantage of the present invention is also the fact that the assembled metal straw of the invention retains its shape without being impregnated with liquids and losing its shape.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art with reference to the accompanying drawings in which this is illustrated in a non limiting manner. Figure 1 shows the assembled reusable metal straw of the invention, together with its cleaning brush.

Figure 2 shows the assembled reusable metal straw separated into the individual portions thereof.

Figures 3 (a) - (b) show in detail how connect the parts forming the assembled metal straw of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the accompanying figures, we will describe, by way of illustrative examples, how the object of the invention is to be implemented and operated, so as to make its advantageous features apparent.

The assembled reusable metal straw of the invention is composed of at least three parts, Fig. 2, two straight and one angular one. In assembly, the straight end portion (1) is connected to the straight middle portion (2) and this in turn to the angular end portion (3), Fig. 1, forming the straw of the invention. Assembly is carried out by means of a pressed tip (4) at one end, both of the straight middle portion (2) and the angular end portion (3). The pressed tip (4) is clasped, Fig. 3 (a), to the corresponding tip of the adjacent portion. Alternatively, the straight end portion (1) and the straight middle portion (2) may each have a pressed tip (4) for clasping to the adjacent portion thereof.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, instead of a pressed tip (4), there may be a thread (5), Fig. 3 (b), at the socket, as well as turns at the incoming tip, allowing screwing between the portions.

The parts that make up the reusable metal straw are made of materials suitable for both human and food contact. These materials, which allow for cleaning and multiple uses, may include, without being limited to, both stainless steel and anodized aluminium. All parts may have the same length, so that they all fit into a case, and may be for example, from 8 to 10 cm long, so that the total length is from 24 to 30 cm. Of course, in a different embodiment, the portions may have different lengths, if desired. Respectively, the outer cross-section of the parts is between 5 and 8 mm, so that the straw can be used for any type of beverage, no matter how thick or thin the beverage is. The article may further be etched or dyed for the purpose of advertising, further enhancing its special character. Finally, the inclination of the angular end portion (3) is typically of 45°, as this facilitates swallowing, but this is not a limiting factor for manufacturing this portion with different angles.

The article of the invention may be cleaned externally either with running water or with ordinary detergents, by which all the utensils are cleaned. Internally, the surface can be similarly cleaned either in the above- mentioned ways or by using a special brush (6), which penetrates internally and cleans effectively with its fibres the interior surfaces of the portions.

It should be noted at this point that the invention was described with reference to illustrative examples of application, but is not limited to. Therefore, any change or modification in the shape, dimensions, morphology, materials and components used in construction and assembly, as long as they do not constitute a new inventive step and do not contribute to the technical development of the already known, are considered to be included in the aspirations of the present invention.

Claims

1. A reusable metallic assembled straw consisting of a straight end portion (1), a straight middle portion (2) and an angular end portion (3), characterized in that each portion is connected to the adjacent one forming the straw.

2. A reusable metallic assembled straw according to claim 1, characterized in that the straight end portion (1) and the straight middle portion (2) each have a pressed tip (4) to clasp to their adjacent portion.

3. A reusable metallic assembled straw according to claim 1, characterized in that the straight middle portion (2) and the angular end portion (3) each have a pressed tip (4) to clasp to their adjacent portion.

4. A reusable metallic assembled straw according to claim 1, characterized in that the straight end portion (1) and the straight middle portion (2) each have a thread (5) to screw with turns existing respectively on each adj acent part thereof.

5. A reusable metallic assembled straw according to claim 1, characterized in that the straight middle portion (2) and the angular end portion (3) each have a thread (5) to screw to the turns existing respectively on each adjacent portion thereof.