Reusable straw

Abstract

A reusable straw assembly may include multiple elements that may be removably coupled together. The reusable straw assembly may include a first member comprising an inner and outer surface, the inner surface defining a first channel extending the length of the first member; a second member comprising an inner and outer surface, the inner surface defining a second channel extending the length of the second member; and a connecting member comprising an inner and outer surface, the inner surface defining a third channel extending the length of the connecting member. The connecting member may be sized to removably receive and retain the first member within the third channel at a connecting member distal end. The connecting member may also be sized to removably receive and retain the second member within the third channel at a connecting member proximal end.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reusable straw assembly comprising:
 a first member having a length and comprising a first member inner surface and a first member outer surface, wherein the first member inner surface defines a first channel extending the length of the first member;   a second member having a length and comprising a second member inner surface and a second member outer surface, wherein the second member inner surface defines a second channel extending the length of the second member; and   a connecting member having a length and comprising a connecting member inner surface and a connecting member outer surface, wherein the connecting member inner surface defines a third channel extending the length of the connecting member,   wherein the connecting member is sized to removably receive and retain the first member within the third channel at a connecting member distal end and is sized to removably receive and retain the second member within the third channel at a connecting member proximal end.   
     
     
         2 . The reusable straw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the first channel and a diameter of the second channel are uniform along the length of the first member and the second member, respectively. 
     
     
         3 . The reusable straw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the third channel varies along the length of the connecting member. 
     
     
         4 . The reusable straw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting member comprises at least one insertion limiting feature extending partially into the third channel. 
     
     
         5 . The reusable straw assembly of  claim 4 , wherein a connecting member inner diameter through a middle portion of the connecting member is less than the connecting member inner diameter at the connecting member distal end and the connecting member proximal end. 
     
     
         6 . The reusable straw assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one insertion limiting feature comprises a first ledge located proximate the connecting member proximal end and a second ledge located proximate the connecting member distal end, at least one of the first ledge or the second ledge extending into the third channel at an approximately 90 degree angle from the connecting member inner surface. 
     
     
         7 . The reusable straw assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one insertion limiting feature comprises a first ledge located proximate the connecting member proximal end and a second ledge located proximate the connecting member distal end, at least one of the first ledge or the second ledge extending into the third channel at an angle greater than approximately 90 degrees from the connecting member inner surface. 
     
     
         8 . The reusable straw assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one insertion limiting feature comprises a first tab located proximate the connecting member proximal end and a second tab located proximate the connecting member distal end. 
     
     
         9 . The reusable straw assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one insertion limiting feature is configured to prevent the first member and the second member from being inserted into the third channel beyond the at least one insertion limiting feature. 
     
     
         10 . A drinkware system comprising:
 a beverage container;   a beverage container lid defining an opening; and   a reusable straw assembly comprising:
 a first member having a length and defining a first channel extending the length of the first member; 
 a second member having a length and defining a second channel extending the length of the second member; and 
 a connecting member having a length and defining a third channel extending the length of the connecting member; 
 wherein the connecting member is sized to removably receive and retain the first member within the third channel at a connecting member distal end and is sized to removably receive and retain the second member within the third channel at a connecting member proximal end. 
   
     
     
         11 . The drinkware system of  claim 10 , wherein the opening of the beverage container lid is sized to receive the first member and a portion of the connecting member. 
     
     
         12 . The drinkware system of  claim 10 , wherein a first portion of the connecting member is inserted into and friction fit with the opening so that a second portion of the connecting member and the second member may not be inserted into the opening. 
     
     
         13 . A reusable straw comprising:
 a first member having a length and comprising a first member inner surface and a first member outer surface, wherein the first member inner surface defines a first channel extending the length of the first member;   a second member having a length and comprising a second member inner surface and a second member outer surface, wherein the second member inner surface defines a second channel extending the length of the second member; and   an angled connecting member having a length and comprising an angled connecting member inner surface, an angled connecting member outer surface, and at least one projection, wherein the angled connecting member inner surface defines a third channel extending the length of the angled connecting member,   wherein the angled connecting member is removably coupled to the first member at an angled connecting member distal end and wherein the angled connecting member is also removably coupled to the second member at an angled connecting member proximal end.   
     
     
         14 . The reusable straw of  claim 13 , wherein a diameter of the third channel of the angled connecting member varies along the length of the angled connecting member. 
     
     
         15 . The reusable straw of  claim 14 , wherein the diameter of the third channel is greater at the angled connecting member distal end than at a middle region of the angled connecting member and wherein the diameter of the third channel is greater at the angled connecting member proximal end than at the middle region of the angled connecting member. 
     
     
         16 . The reusable straw of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one projection is integrally formed with the angled connecting member and protrudes partially into the third channel. 
     
     
         17 . The reusable straw of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one projection comprises a ledge that extends at an approximately 90 degree angle from the angled connecting member inner surface or at an angle greater than approximately 90 degrees from the angled connecting member inner surface. 
     
     
         18 . The reusable straw of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one projection comprises a first ledge located proximate the angled connecting member distal end that prevents the first member from extending past the first ledge towards the angled connecting member proximal end when the first member is coupled to the angled connecting member. 
     
     
         19 . The reusable straw of  claim 18 , wherein the projection comprises a second ledge located proximate the angled connecting member proximal end that prevents the second member from extending past the second ledge towards the angled connecting member distal end when the second member is coupled to the angled connecting member. 
     
     
         20 . The reusable straw of  claim 19 , wherein the first ledge and the second ledge are either integral or independent.