Drinking Straw

Abstract

An apparatus and method for delivering liquids to a user from a container. The liquids are aerated during delivery of the liquid to the user. The present invention includes a flow control regulator that regulates the amount of aeration of the liquid delivered to the user and also restricts backflow of liquids through the regulator. The apparatus of the invention is particularly well suited for aerating wine while it is delivered through a drinking straw.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A liquid aeration drinking straw apparatus, said straw apparatus comprising:
 a tube having a sidewall defined by an internal and external surface, wherein said internal surface of said sidewall defines a hollow central portion extending between an inlet end and outlet end of the tube;   a recessed groove extending about a circumference of said tube and into the sidewall from the external surface, said recessed groove having a width dimension and a depth of the recessed groove;   an aperture extending through said sidewall from said recessed groove to the internal surface of said sidewall of said tube; and   an air flow regulator coupled to said tube to control flow of fluid through said aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The straw apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said air flow regulator includes a gasket encompassing the external sidewall of said tube and wherein said gasket is at least partially aligned and engaged to said recessed groove. 
     
     
         3 . The straw apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said width dimension of said recessed groove is approximately 0.040 inches and wherein said gasket is comprised of an o-ring. 
     
     
         4 . The straw apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said o-ring has a thickness dimension of approximately 0.0625 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The straw apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further including ridges formed on the internal surface of said tube. 
     
     
         6 . The straw apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further including ridges formed on the internal surface of said tube and aligned in a spiral orientation along a longitudinal axis of said tube. 
     
     
         7 . The straw apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further including dimples formed on the internal surface of said tube. 
     
     
         8 . The straw apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further including dimples formed on the internal surface of said tube and aligned in a spiral orientation along a longitudinal axis of said tube. 
     
     
         9 . The straw apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further including spaced apart ridges and dimples formed on the internal surface of said tube. 
     
     
         10 . The straw apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further including spaced apart ridges and dimples formed on the internal surface of said tube and aligned in an offset spiral orientation along a longitudinal axis of said tube. 
     
     
         11 . A liquid aeration drinking straw apparatus, said straw apparatus comprising:
 a tube having a sidewall defined by an internal and external surface, wherein said internal surface of said sidewall defines a hollow central portion extending between an inlet end and outlet end of the tube;   a recessed groove extending about a circumference of said tube and into the sidewall from the external surface, said recessed groove having a width dimension and a depth of the recessed groove;   an aperture extending through said sidewall from said recessed groove to the internal surface of said sidewall of said tube;   a gasket encompassing the external sidewall of said tube and wherein said gasket at least partially aligns and engages said recessed groove; and   ridges formed on the internal surface of said tube.   
     
     
         12 . The straw apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said width dimension of said recessed groove is approximately 0.040 inches and wherein said gasket is comprised of an o-ring having a thickness dimension of approximately 0.0625 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The straw apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said ridges are aligned in a spiral orientation along a longitudinal axis of said tube. 
     
     
         14 . The straw apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , further including dimples formed on the internal surface of said tube. 
     
     
         15 . The straw apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , further including dimples formed on the internal surface of said tube and aligned in a spiral orientation along a longitudinal axis of said tube. 
     
     
         16 . The straw apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said ridges and dimples are aligned in an offset spiral orientation along a longitudinal axis of said tube. 
     
     
         17 . A liquid aeration drinking straw apparatus, said straw apparatus comprising:
 a tube having a sidewall defined by an internal and external surface, wherein said internal surface of said sidewall defines a hollow central portion extending between an inlet end and outlet end of the tube;   a recessed groove extending about a circumference of said tube and into the sidewall from the external surface, said recessed groove having a width dimension and a depth of the recessed groove;   an aperture extending through said sidewall from said recessed groove to the internal surface of said sidewall of said tube;   a fluid control gasket encompassing the external sidewall of said tube, wherein said fluid control gasket is aligned and at least partially engaged to said recessed groove; and   spaced apart ridges and dimples formed on the internal surface of said tube.   
     
     
         18 . The straw apparatus as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said width dimension of said recessed groove is approximately 0.040 inches and wherein said fluid control gasket is comprised of an o-ring having a thickness dimension of approximately 0.0625 inches. 
     
     
         19 . The straw apparatus as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said spaced apart ridges and dimples are aligned in an offset spiral orientation along a longitudinal axis of said tube.