Foldable Drinking Straw

Abstract

Foldable drinking straw comprising an array of segments connected by longitudinal and transverse groups of hinges; wherein the segments may be arranged in open and closed configurations; wherein in the open configuration the segments form a sheet in which the transverse hinges of each group are coaxially aligned so that the sheet of segments may be folded about the transverse hinge to form a folded configuration of the straw; and Wherein in the open configuration longitudinal hinges of each group of hinges of the flat sheet are coaxially aligned so that a plurality of segments may be folded about the longitudinal hinges to form a generally tubular closed configuration.

1 . A foldable drinking straw comprising an array of segments connected by longitudinal and transverse groups of hinges;
 wherein the segments may be arranged in open and closed configurations;   wherein in the open configuration the segments form a sheet in which the transverse hinges of each transverse group are coaxially aligned so that the sheet of segments may be folded about a transverse hinge to form a folded configuration of the straw; and   wherein in the open configuration longitudinal hinges of each group of hinges of the flat sheet are coaxially aligned so that a plurality of segments may be folded about the longitudinal hinges to form a tubular closed configuration.   
     
     
         2 . A straw as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal hinges extend along parallel axes in the opened configuration. 
     
     
         3 . A straw as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal and transverse hinges are perpendicular. 
     
     
         4 . A straw as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal or transverse hinges form a rectilinear array in the opened or flat configuration of the straw. 
     
     
         5 . A straw as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the segments are rectangular. 
     
     
         6 . A straw as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the segments are planar. 
     
     
         7 . A straw as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  5   claim 1 , wherein the segments are curved. 
     
     
         8 . A straw as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a closure means. 
     
     
         9 . A straw as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the closure means comprises a latch or clip. 
     
     
         10 . A straw as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the closure means comprises a magnetic closure. 
     
     
         11 . A straw as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the magnetic closure may retain the straw in the closed or folded configuration. 
     
     
         12 . A straw as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the segments comprise an array of longitudinally extending inner segments, connected by a transverse hinge; two or more longitudinally extending intermediate segments connected by respective transverse hinges and a plurality of longitudinally extending outer segments, connected by one or more transverse hinges, the outer segments each being arranged to overlie a respective inner segment in the closed or tubular configuration of the straw. 
     
     
         13 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A straw as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein proximal and distal ends of the straw have different configurations in the closed position. 
     
     
         16 . A straw as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the proximal end of the straw is cylindrical, ovoid or otherwise rounded in the closed position. 
     
     
         17 . A straw as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the inner and outer segments have an elastomeric or rubber portion or coating. 
     
     
         18 . A straw as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the straw is triangular in cross section in the closed position. 
     
     
         19 . A straw as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the straw is cylindrical in the closed position.