Dear, http://answers.google.com/answers/

Bwahaha!  Have fun with this one, masters of search.  It seems that
straw manufacturers have an easy life, so they do not market
(http://solocup.com/catalog/pdfs/GS963%20Swh%20Straws&Stirrers_042606.pdf)
straws the way I want to buy them.  I am looking for WIDE STRAWS that
are FLEXIBLE and LONG and disposable (cheap).  Now, most websites for
these products will describe and even search by length, but flexible
is not often offered.  Worse, my primary criteria, diameter width is
rarely found.

My need is to find straws for the disabled and the elderly.   For
example, I have an interest in Alzheimer's patients who have so little
strength in their hands that the weight of tableware is an issue.  For
them, lifting a glass of water is a difficulty. So, I am looking for
long, flexible straws that also happened to be wider than average. 
Specifically, I need straws around 10-12 mm or about half an inch in
diameter.  You should be able to drink a smoothie
(http://www.smoothieking.com/) through these straws.

Perhaps my searches have been lame (bad keyword), but I have not run
into a lot of explicit similar interests but you can find them here
(http://www.rehabmart.com/category/Assistive_Eating_Products.htm) and
there.

There are partial solutions out there:
?	Wide but not flexible (http://www.lollicupstore.com/lawrstco9pca.html)
?	Flexible but not wide
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00019ZDG6/002-7771193-6227230?v=glance&n=3760901)

There are expensive solutions out there.  These are not disposable
items.  At about $2 each,  rehabmart
(http://www.rehabmart.com/product/7823.htm) sells a washable straw.

A little odd, but closer to the mark functionally are products from
the water bottle industry
(http://www.discountmugs.com/water-bottles-wb28s.htm) . I have written
to several companies such as DiscountMugs and am still awaiting
replies.  Unfortunately, the companies I have found to contact are
usually in the logo imprint business and do not have any specific
interest in retailing the straw component from within the supply
chain.

Perhaps you can help find a straw manufacturer or two that would be
willing to supply me.  While my interest is retail (under $100 at a
time), there must be a supplier, distributor or retailer that can
provide this ordinary item.

One more request, some advanced search tips would be appreciated.  Thanks.

---

Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 11 Jun 2006 11:57 PDT

arpagenx2-ga,

I'd suggest contacting the Whirley DrinkWorks Co.

These are the folks that make a great many of the large sports cups
sold at amusement parks, stadiums, etc.  You can see a picture of what
I mean, here:


http://www.whirley.com/chillworks?readform


The 'Aquarium' cup is what I had in mind, and you can see the large
flexible straw it contains.


I don't think they sell straws themselves, but if you contact them and
explain your need and purpose, they may be able to hook you up with a
supplier.

Can't hurt to try:

 

Whirley-DrinkWorks!
618 Fourth Avenue
Warren, PA  16365 

800-825-5575


Let me know how it works out.


pafalafa-ga

Greetings,
I assume you know your customers' or patients' needs, but I envisage a
problem or two with long, 10-12 mm diameter straws.  Such a large and
long straw will require a much larger/longer initial sip to get the
liquid to the mouth; they may be difficult to close dry, old lips
around (i.e., air leakage when sipping).  Luckily, I have no
experience  with Alzheimer sufferers, but I can imagine that these
problems would be a greater difficulty for them to overcome.  Even for
any shortwinded elder person, drawing enough air to get the liquid up
might be near the limit of his or her sucking capacity: a taste of the
liquid, and then the person stops for a breath, loses vacuum, and has
to start all over.

Just some speculation.  If you know that I am entirely wrong, please
understand this as just misfounded interest in your effort to help
these people