Straw washer system, device, and method

Abstract

In embodiments, the invention includes a system, an apparatus, and a method for cleaning reusable straws. The system includes a chamber configured to contain a liquid, a siphon to drain the chamber, a transducer to deliver sonic energy to the chamber, and a plurality of straws disposed in the chamber. Each straw includes a tubular wall defining a lumen. The lumen has a length and a cross-sectional area, and the cross-sectional area is substantially constant over the length.

1 . A system comprising:
 a chamber configured to contain a liquid;   a siphon configured to drain the chamber;   a transducer configured to deliver sonic energy to the chamber; and   a plurality of straws disposed in the chamber, each straw including a tubular wall defining a lumen, the lumen having a length and a cross-sectional area, the cross-sectional area substantially constant over the length.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an inlet to add a liquid to the chamber to produce a fill level. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the siphon includes a siphon height, the siphon configured to drain a liquid from the chamber when the fill level exceeds the siphon height. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a level sensor and a controller, the level sensor detecting when the fill level reaches a predetermined wash height, the controller operatively connected to the level sensor and to the transducer, the controller configured to drive the transducer when the level sensor indicates the fill level has attained the wash height. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is configured to drive the transducer in a frequency range of about 30 to about 50 kilohertz. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to drive the transducer through a swept frequency range of about 39 kilohertz to about 41 kilohertz. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a wash liquid disposed in the chamber, the wash liquid comprising an aqueous dispersion of a detergent. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the wash liquid includes an anionic detergent, a nonionic detergent, a phosphate-free detergent, an enzyme, or a combination of any of these. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus comprising:
 a chamber;   a basket removably positionable in the chamber and configured to support a plurality of straws;   an inlet disposed to add a liquid to the chamber to produce a fill level;   a drain outlet plumbed to the chamber;   a level sensor configured to produce a signal when the fill level reaches a predetermined wash height;   a transducer configured to deliver sonic energy to the chamber; and   a controller operatively coupled to the inlet, to the level sensor, and to the transducer, the controller configured to drive the transducer and to alternately raise and lower the fill level.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the drain outlet comprises a siphon with a siphon height, the siphon configured to drain a liquid from the chamber when the fill level exceeds the siphon height. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the inlet includes a first valve operatively coupled to the controller, the first valve configured to disengage the inlet when the first valve is activated, wherein the controller is configured to activate the first valve when the level sensor produces the signal. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a dispenser and a reservoir, the dispenser plumbed between the chamber and the reservoir, and the dispenser operatively connected to the controller. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a heater disposed in contact with the chamber, the heater operatively connected to the controller. 
     
     
         14 . A method of cleaning straws comprising:
 mounting a plurality of reusable straws into the basket of the apparatus of  claim 9 ;   adding a wash liquid to the chamber;   activating the apparatus.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the wash liquid includes a phosphate-free detergent. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of adding a wash liquid includes loading a prepackaged concentrate to the chamber and adding water to the chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of activating the apparatus includes causing the controller to perform steps of ultrasonicating the wash liquid and of draining the chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of activating the apparatus includes causing the controller to perform a step of sanitizing the chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of activating the apparatus includes a plurality of substeps of draining and filling the chamber. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the drain outlet includes a siphon having a siphon height, and wherein the plurality of substeps of draining and filling the chamber includes adding a liquid via the inlet and draining the liquid when the fill level of the chamber exceeds the siphon height.