Utensil for tea-based beverages

Abstract

A foldable straw includes a first segment, a second segment, and an intermediate segment. The first segment includes an elongated length and a cavity extending through the elongated length and has a first durometer value. The second segment includes an elongated length and a cavity extending therethrough and has a second durometer value. The intermediate segment is operably coupled with and positioned between the first segment and the second segment and includes an elongated length and a cavity extending therethrough and has an intermediate segment durometer value. The intermediate segment durometer value is less than the first durometer value and the second durometer value such that the collapsible straw is foldable within the intermediate segment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A foldable straw comprising:
 a first segment including an elongated length and a cavity extending through the elongated length, the first segment having a first durometer value;   a second segment including an elongated length and a cavity extending through the elongated length, the second segment having a second durometer value; and   an intermediate segment being operably coupled with and positioned between the first segment and the second segment, the intermediate segment including an elongated length and a cavity extending therethrough, the intermediate segment having an intermediate segment durometer value;   wherein the intermediate segment durometer value is less than the first durometer value and the second durometer value such that the collapsible straw is foldable within the intermediate segment.   
     
     
         2 . The foldable straw of  claim 1 , further comprising a first transitional region where the first segment operably couples with the intermediate segment and a second transitional region where the intermediate segment coupled with the second segment. 
     
     
         3 . The foldable straw of  claim 2 , wherein the first transitional region and the second transitional region have a continuous inner diameter in a resting configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The foldable straw of  claim 2 , wherein the first transitional region and the second transitional region have a continuous outer diameter in a resting configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The foldable straw of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third segment including an elongated length and a cavity extending through the elongated length, the third segment having a third durometer value; and   a second intermediate segment being operably coupled with and positioned between the second segment and the third segment, the second intermediate segment including an elongated length and a cavity extending therethrough and has the intermediate segment durometer value.   
     
     
         6 . The foldable straw of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first segment, the second segment, or the intermediate segment is constructed from silicone. 
     
     
         7 . The foldable straw of  claim 1 , wherein the first durometer value and the second durometer value is approximately  85 A shore durometer. 
     
     
         8 . The foldable straw of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate durometer value is approximately  50 A shore durometer. 
     
     
         9 . The foldable straw of  claim 1 , wherein the second segment includes a curved mouthpiece portion. 
     
     
         10 . The foldable straw of  claim 1 , further comprising an angled tip positioned at an end of the first segment. 
     
     
         11 . The foldable straw of  claim 10 , further comprising a piercing member operably coupled with the angled tip. 
     
     
         12 . A reusable utensil kit comprising:
 a foldable straw comprising:
 a first segment including an elongated length and a cavity extending through the elongated length, the first segment having a first durometer value; 
 a second segment including an elongated length and a cavity extending through the elongated length, the second segment having a second durometer value; and 
 an intermediate segment being operably coupled with and positioned between the first segment and the second segment, the intermediate segment including an elongated length and a cavity extending therethrough, the intermediate segment having an intermediate segment durometer value; 
 wherein the intermediate segment durometer value is less than the first durometer value and the second durometer value such that the collapsible straw is foldable within the intermediate segment; and 
 a storage case defining an interior cavity configured to retain the collapsible utensil. 
   
     
     
         13 . The reusable utensil kit of  claim 12 , further comprising a securement mechanism coupled with the storage case to retain the storage case in a closed configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The reusable utensil kit of  claim 12 , further comprising a cleaning tool including a first end, a second end, an elongated length extending between the first and second ends, and a squeegee or bristle head positioned at or near the first end. 
     
     
         15 . The reusable utensil kit of  claim 14 , wherein the interior cavity of the storage case includes a cleaning tool opening to receive the second end of the cleaning tool. 
     
     
         16 . The reusable utensil kit of  claim 14 , wherein the elongated length includes a plurality of telescoping members to selectively extend or collapse the elongated length. 
     
     
         17 . The reusable utensil kit of  claim 16 , wherein the cleaning tool opening includes a retention member to retain the second end of the cleaning tool in the cleaning tool opening, wherein upon urging the cleaning tool in a direction away from the cleaning tool opening, the elongated length of the cleaning tool extends. 
     
     
         18 . The reusable utensil kit of  claim 14 , further comprising a piercing member disposed at the second end of the cleaning tool. 
     
     
         19 . The reusable utensil kit of  claim 12 , wherein the interior cavity of the storage case is dimensioned to retain a plurality of foldable straws.