Aspirating and volatilizing liquid dispenser

Abstract

A device for controllably dispensing and volatilizing liquid by the user sucking or drawing on the device. An elongate tubular body is substantially filled with a liquid retaining and fluid flow-controlling element that is penetrated by one or more hollow passages.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An aspirating and volatilizing liquid dispenser comprising an elongate tubular body (tube) that is open on both ends, wherein said tube contains an element that serves both as a liquid retainer and fluid flow controller and that is located within said tube between its open ends, and wherein said element is composed of a porous material that is capable of retaining comestible liquids that can be drawn through one end of said tube when it is immersed in a body of a comestible liquid by a user sucking or drawing on the other end of the tube; and wherein furthermore said porous material is penetrated by one or more hollow passages so that, even when said porous material is at least partially filled with a comestible liquid, a user can draw air through the tube from an uncovered end by sucking or drawing on the other end.  
     
     
         2 . A device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the outer shell of said tube comprises a thick walled drinking straw.  
     
     
         3 . A device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said liquid retaining and fluid flow controlling element substantially fills said tube from one end to the other.  
     
     
         4 . A device as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said element comprises a linear section of porous polyethylene rod with average pore sizes ranging from 20 to 200 micrometers.  
     
     
         5 . A device as claimed in  claim 4  wherein an open channel of small diameter passes continuously from one end.to the other through the center of said porous rod.