One-piece Cleanable and Reusable Drinking Straw

Abstract

The present invention provides a one-piece cleanable and reusable drinking straws. The drinking straw comprises two semi-circular side bodies resulting in an opening on one surface of the straw wherein the said two semi-circular side bodies overlaps with each other thereby closing the opening of the straw, a full length hinge on the opposite side of the opening formed on the straw, a clipping mechanism with at least one male clip and at least one female clip on the edges of each semi-circular side body creating an airlocked closure, and an indentation on the outer part of one side body of the straw thus providing a way for the user to open the straw conveniently. The washable cylindrical drinking straw opens up completely to lay flat in dishwasher for washing or to dry on a mat after it is hand-washed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A one-piece washable cylindrical drinking straw comprising:
 a. a lateral cut through the length of a portion of the straw cutting the full straw in a first semi-circular side body and a second semi-circular side body resulting in opening access on one surface of the straw wherein the said first semi-circular side body and the said second semi-circular side body overlaps with each other thereby closing the opening of the straw;   b. a full-length hinge on the opposite side of the opening formed on the straw wherein the said hinge allows the straw to remain open when placed on its own;   c. a clipping mechanism comprising male clips on edge of first semi-circular side body and female clips on edge of second semi-circular side body of the opening formed on the straw creating an airlocked closure when male and female clips are snap closed;   d. at least one indentation on the outside of the straw to conveniently open the straw by putting pressure on the said indent and detaching the male clips from female clips.   
     
     
         2 . The drinking straw of  claim 1 , wherein opening access provides two hollow semi-circular straw halves connected with the full length hinge. 
     
     
         3 . The drinking straw of  claim 1 , wherein the full length hinge allows the user to connect both halves of the straw maintaining the tube shape for straw. 
     
     
         4 . The drinking straw of  claim 1 , wherein the full length hinge is positioned such that the first semi-circular side body and the second semi-circular side body are 0.050 inches apart and preferably no more than 0.025 inches apart 
     
     
         5 . The drinking straw of  claim 1 , wherein the male clips are preferably semi-cylindrical protrusions on edge of the first semi-circular side body. 
     
     
         6 . The drinking straw of  claim 1 , wherein number of male clips on edge of first semi-circular side body are preferably 3 to 5. 
     
     
         7 . The drinking straw of  claim 1 , wherein female clips are preferably rectangular recess on edge of the first semi-circular side body. 
     
     
         8 . The drinking straw of  claim 1 , wherein number of female clips on edge of second semi-circular side body are preferably 3 to 5. 
     
     
         9 . The drinking straw of  claim 1 , wherein number of indentation on the outside of the straw are preferably 1 to 5.