Objects of the present invention:
- to provide a drinking straw that filters undesirable contaminants or pathogens prior to introduction into a user's body
- to provide a drinking straw having an integral filtration system that allows the user to purify a beverage by simply drinking the fluid through a straw
- to provide a drinking straw having an integral filtration system comprising a plurality of filter elements each designed to remove specific contaminants
- to provide a drinking straw having an integral filtration system including a charcoal filter, a wool filter and a bacterial filter in series
- to provide a drinking straw that is compact enough to be carried in a user's pocket
- to provide a drinking straw that is inexpensive to manufacture and operate

Finger Shield for Slicing Vegetables
U.S. Patent :6,805,031

Objects of the present invention:
- to provide a finger shield to prevent a person slicing vegetables from inadvertently cutting themselves
- to provide a finger shield for slicing vegetables having a substantially semi-cylindrical body that is placed over the vegetables to be sliced
- to provide a finger shield for slicing vegetables with a flange extending outward from one end that defines the cutting plane
- to provide a finger shield for slicing vegetables that is slidable so the user can find the desired position to reach the next cutting plane
- to provide a finger shield for slicing vegetables that is simple and easy to use
- to provide a finger shield for slicing vegetables that is economical in cost to manufacture