Therapeutic training straw

Abstract

A drinking straw for controlling the intake of beverages, 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 each at least one suction end and located between the associated at least one suction end and the at least one liquid end and having openings 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 at least one compartment opening subsequent to the application of the suction force to prevent the movement of the liquid beverage past the opening.

1 . 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 each at least one suction end and located between the associated at least one suction end and the at least one liquid end and having openings 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 at least one compartment opening subsequent to the application of the suction force to prevent the movement of the liquid beverage past the opening.   
   
   
       2 . The drinking straw of  claim 1 , wherein the suction end is further adapted for receipt in the mouth of a user. 
   
   
       3 . The drinking straw of  claim 2 , wherein the suction end is further adapted for receipt in the mouth of a user lacking normal mouth control. 
   
   
       4 . The drinking straw of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one object seals the at least one compartment opening subsequent to the delivery of a specified volume of the liquid beverage through the suction end associated with that compartment. 
   
   
       5 . The drinking straw of  claim 4 , wherein the specified volume is between about 0.5 to about 50 ml. 
   
   
       6 . The drinking straw of  claim 4 , wherein the specified volume is adjustable. 
   
   
       7 . The drinking straw of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one compartment further comprises volume markings. 
   
   
       8 . The drinking straw of  claim 1 , wherein the object is a decorative object. 
   
   
       9 . The drinking straw of  claim 1 , comprising two or more suction ends. 
   
   
       10 . The drinking straw of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one object within each of the at least one compartments associated with each suction end is capable of sealing both the compartment opening nearest the associated suction end and the compartment opening nearest the liquid end, but not both simultaneously. 
   
   
       11 . The drinking straw of  claim 10 , wherein a normal suction force applied to at least one suction end effectively seals the compartments associated with the remaining suction ends. 
   
   
       12 . The drinking straw of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one object does not float in air or water. 
   
   
       13 . The drinking straw of  claim 12 , wherein the object has a density greater than or equal to the density of water. 
   
   
       14 . The drinking straw of  claim 13 , wherein the object has a density between about 1 and about 1.5 g/ml. 
   
   
       15 . The drinking straw of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one object seals the at least one compartment opening only subsequent to the application of an excessive suction to the suction end associated with that compartment. 
   
   
       16 . The drinking straw of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one compartment has a cross-sectional area substantially similar to a cross-sectional area of the hollow member. 
   
   
       17 . The drinking straw of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one compartment has a cross-sectional area larger than a cross-sectional area of the hollow member. 
   
   
       18 . The drinking straw of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one suction end is further adapted to cooperate with a respirator mask to allow a user to use the straw while wearing the mask. 
   
   
       19 . A respirator mask comprising the drinking straw of  claim 18 . 
   
   
       20 . The drinking straw of  claim 18 , further comprising a flip top on the at least one suction end adapted for opening and closing the suction end by use of a user's tongue. 
   
   
       21 . The drinking straw of  claim 1 , further adapted to allow disassembly for cleaning. 
   
   
       22 . A method for treating inappropriate drinking, comprising:
 providing to a user in need of treatment a drinking straw that delivers the beverages in small, consistently-controlled quantities, the 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 each at least one suction end and located between the associated at least one suction end and the at least one liquid end and having openings 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 at least one compartment opening subsequent to the application of the suction force to prevent the movement of the liquid beverage past the opening; and 
   the user drinking the liquid through the straw.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the inappropriate drinking is caused by AD/HD, dysphagia, intoxication, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, ALS, Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injury, paralysis, multiple sclerosis, spasm, epilepsy, or other disease or condition that causes inappropriate drinking or any combination thereof. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 training the user to drink in small, controlled sips by repeatedly drinking beverages through the straw until the user is trained to drink in small, consistent sips.   
   
   
       25 . A device for treating inappropriate drinking, 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 each at least one suction end and located between the associated at least one suction end and the at least one liquid end and having openings 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 at least one compartment opening subsequent to the application of the suction force to prevent the movement of the liquid beverage past the opening.   
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the inappropriate drinking is caused by one or more of AD/HD, dysphagia, intoxication, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, ALS, Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injury, paralysis, multiple sclerosis, spasm, epilepsy, or other disease or condition that causes inappropriate drinking or any combination thereof. 
   
   
       27 . A drinking straw adapter, 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 an adapter end adapted for communicative attachment to a drinking straw;   at least one compartment associated with each at least one suction end and located between the associated at least one suction end and the at least one adapter end and having openings 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 at least one compartment opening subsequent to the application of the suction force to prevent the movement of the liquid beverage past the opening.