| CPC A47G 21/18 (2013.01) | 17 Claims |
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1. A straw comprising:
a longitudinally extending first straw body element having an arcuate wall that defines a longitudinally extending channel;
a longitudinally extending second straw body element having an arcuate outer wall portion and a pair of resilient wings, wherein the wings are configured to extend into the first straw body element channel when the straw is in an assembled position, and wherein a seal is formed between the first and second straw body elements when the straw is in the assembled position; and
a hinge that pivotally couples the first straw body element to the second straw body element at a first longitudinal end of the of the straw such that the first and second straw body elements can be pivoted between the assembled position in which the straw may be used for drinking, and a splayed position that facilitates washing the first and second straw body elements, wherein the hinge is releasable and reattachable such that the first straw body element can be separated from and reattached to the second straw body element, whereby the first and second straw body elements are independent of one another and not attached together by the hinge when separated; and
wherein the hinge includes a pair of hinge pins on one of the first and second straw body elements that are received in corresponding slots on the other of the first and second straw body elements, and the hinge is configured such that the hinge pins will pop out of their corresponding slots to thereby separate the first and second straw body elements when the first and second straw body elements are pivoted relative to one another beyond a designated rotational release position.
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