Straw

Abstract

A reusable straw is provided. The straw can be opened and closed at a seam along its length, without requirement of one or more additional tools. The seams can be either in a single joint configuration or a double joint configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A straw comprising:
 a cylindrical structure, wherein the cylindrical structure is defined by a length, an outer diameter and an inner diameter, wherein the outer diameter is greater than the inner diameter, wherein the cylindrical structure has a seam along the length, wherein the seam can be opened and closed without the use of one or more tools.   
     
     
         2 . The straw as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical structure is made of one of a plastic, rubber, polymer, and silicone. 
     
     
         3 . The straw as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical structure is flexible. 
     
     
         4 . The straw as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the seam is in a single joint configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The straw as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the seam is in a double joint configuration, wherein the seam has a male connection and a female connection, wherein the male connection and the female connection are on opposing pieces of the straw. 
     
     
         6 . The straw as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the seam is in a double joint configuration, wherein the seam and the straw are made of a first material. 
     
     
         7 . The straw as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the seam is in a double joint configuration, wherein the straw are made of a first material and the seam is made of a second material, wherein the seam is attached to the straw. 
     
     
         8 . The straw as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the seam is in a double joint configuration such that the straw is secured by a banded mechanism, wherein the banded mechanism has a closed looped flexible bands at both ends of the straw. 
     
     
         9 . A straw comprising:
 a cylindrical structure, wherein the cylindrical structure is defined by a length, an outer diameter and an inner diameter, wherein the outer diameter is greater than the inner diameter, wherein the cylindrical structure has a seam along the length, wherein the seam can be opened and closed without the use of one or more tools, wherein the cylindrical structure is flexible, wherein the seam is in a single joint configuration or a double joint configuration.   
     
     
         10 . The straw as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the cylindrical structure is made of one of a plastic, rubber, polymer, and silicone. 
     
     
         11 . The straw as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the seam is in a double joint configuration, wherein the seam has a male connection and a female connection, wherein the male connection and the female connection are on opposing pieces of the straw. 
     
     
         12 . The straw as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the seam is in a double joint configuration, wherein the seam and the straw are made of a first material. 
     
     
         13 . The straw as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the seam is in a double joint configuration, wherein the straw are made of a first material and the seam is made of a second material, wherein the seam is attached to the straw. 
     
     
         14 . The straw as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the seam is in a double joint configuration such that the straw is secured by a banded mechanism, wherein the banded mechanism has a closed looped flexible bands at both ends of the straw. 
     
     
         15 . A straw comprising:
 a cylindrical structure, wherein the cylindrical structure is defined by a length, an outer diameter and an inner diameter, wherein the outer diameter is greater than the inner diameter, wherein the cylindrical structure has a seam along the length, wherein the seam can be opened and closed without the use of one or more tools, wherein the cylindrical structure is flexible, wherein the seam is in a single joint configuration or a double joint configuration, when the seam is in a double joint configuration the seam has a male connection and a female connection, wherein the male connection and the female connection are on opposing pieces of the straw, wherein the straw is made of a first material and the seam is made of one of the first material and a second material.   
     
     
         16 . The straw as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the cylindrical structure is made of one of a plastic, rubber, polymer, and silicone. 
     
     
         17 . The straw as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the seam is in a double joint configuration such that the straw is secured by a banded mechanism, wherein the banded mechanism has a closed looped flexible bands at both ends of the straw.