What is the purpose of the ring on my straw?

[Kelemvor]

So we have a bunch of the insulated cups with the think plastic straws in them. The straws all have a ring on them that doesn't fit through the hole in the lid.

Originally we had the ring part inside the cup so it would prevent the straw from rising up in the glass from soda bubbles. Or if you tipped it over the straw would stay in.

I saw someone else who put the ring on the outside so that if you unscrew the lid and lift it up, the straw stays with the lid to make filling it easier.

We then bought some replacement straws and then have the ring about an inch from one end and it's not movable. It's so close to the end that if you try to drink out of it the thing gets in the way. But if you put the ring part inside the cup, it's so far down it doesn't serve any purpose.

Anyone know what the real purpose of that ring thing is supposed to be?

 

[sixone]

It's to keep the straw from coming out. The ring is too close to the end for drinking, like you said.

 

[DesiPower]

I think they are stirrers?

 

[Kelemvor]

It's to keep the straw from coming out. The ring is too close to the end for drinking, like you said.

But on the replacement ones we go, it's so far down at the other end, I don't think the straw would ever be able to come that far up on its own unless you tipped the thing over. heh.

 

[Kelemvor]

Here's a pic similar to the ones we got but the ring part is even further down that in the pic:

 

[sixone]

Yeah, mine are very similar. I've been known to carry the whole thing by the straw, when my hands are full.

I don't think I've seen the same replacement straws that you have. But I knew I'd need extra straws when I bought the cups last year, so I stocked up on what they had then.

 

[shortylickens]

On the cup I have you can move the ring up and down, use it wherever you like.

 

[pontifex]

looks like to keep the straw from coming out

 

[MotionMan]

Given the straws are too long to fall into the glass (which is a big problem with the milk boxes you can get at Starbucks), I would guess the rings are there to keep the straws from falling out.

MotionMan

 

[Red Storm]

To slow the flow of blood.

 

[nageov3t]

I can't believe no one's suggested that it's there to keep the straw from coming out.

 

[Meghan54]

I can't believe no one's suggested that it's there to keep the straw from coming out.

I can't believe you didn't read any of the previous posts, such as Motion Man's just above yours.

...I would guess the rings are there to keep the straws from falling out.

MotionMan

Such fail on your part.

 

[FM2n]

It's to let you know that it's a straw that's going up your butt.

 

[Howard]

It's to stop the ring from strawing out. Didn't even need to read the rest of the thread.