Patent ID: 7354007

Claim:
A drinking straw, comprising: an elongated hollow member having at least two open ends, at least one end being a suction end adapted for application of a suction force, and at least one end being a liquid end adapted for immersion in a liquid beverage; at least one compartment associated with the at least one suction end and located between the associated at least one suction end and the at least one liquid end and having an upper stop proximate the at least one suction end and a lower stop proximate the at least one liquid end, each stop defining a compartment opening for communicating the liquid beverage therethrough; and at least one insoluble object within the at least one compartment having an outer circumference smaller than an inner circumference of the at least one compartment; wherein the compartment openings and the object are dimensioned to prevent escape of the object from the compartment; and wherein the at least one object seals the upper stop subsequent to the application of the suction force to prevent the movement of the liquid beverage past the upper stop.