AROMA CONTAINER AND DRINKING DEVICE HAVING AN AROMA CONTAINER

Abstract

An aroma container for adding an aroma substance to an air flow flowing through the aroma container. The aroma container comprises an upper wall, a lower wall and at least one side wall, which surround an aroma chamber. The container includes at least one air inlet opening into the aroma chamber, and at least one air outlet opening out of the aroma chamber, wherein a carrier substance for the aroma substance is present in the aroma chamber. A head space may be provided between the carrier substance and the side of the upper wall facing the aroma chamber. The carrier substance comprises a nonwoven material, wherein the air permeability L of the nonwoven material at a differential pressure of 100 Pa is L≥200 l/(m.sup.2.Math.s), and preferably between 220 l/(m.sup.2.Math.s) and 280 l/(m.sup.2.Math.s).

Claims

1. An aroma container for adding an aroma substance to an air flow flowing through the aroma container, the aroma container comprising: an upper wall, a lower wall and at least one side wall, which surround an aroma chamber, at least one air inlet opening into the aroma chamber; and at least one air outlet opening out of the aroma chamber; wherein a carrier substance for the aroma substance is present in the aroma chamber; and the carrier substance includes a nonwoven material; wherein the air permeability L of the nonwoven material at a differential pressure of 100 Pa is L≥200 l/(m.sup.2.Math.s).

2. The aroma container according to claim 1, wherein a head space between the carrier substance and the side of the upper wall facing the aroma chamber is provided.

3. The aroma container according to claim 1, wherein the side wall includes a protrusion, at least in portions.

4. The aroma container according to claim 1, wherein the nonwoven material has a specific flow resistance of less than 500 Pa.Math.s/m.

5. The aroma container according to claim 1, wherein the nonwoven material has an area density of less than 1500 g/m.sup.2; and the nonwoven material has a density of less than 300 kg/m.sup.3.

6. The aroma container according to claim 1, that wherein the thickness of the carrier substance is at least 50% of the height between the upper wall of the aroma container and the lower wall of the aroma container.

7. The aroma container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one air inlet opening has a diameter of at least 0.2 mm or a different geometry having an equivalent minimum opening cross-section.

8. The aroma container according to claim 1, wherein porosity of the nonwoven material is between 70% and 93%.

9. The aroma container according to claim 1, wherein the Reynolds number Re in the air inlet region of the aroma container is greater than 2000; wherein the Reynolds number is defined as Re=(w.Math.d)/v, with the kinematic viscosity of air v [m.sup.2/s], the diameter d [m] of the air inlet opening, and the flow speed w [m/s] upon inflow into the aroma container at an averaged volume flow between 250 ml/min and 600 ml/min.

10. The aroma container according to claim 1, wherein the aroma container has a substantially annular geometry comprising an outer side wall and an inner side wall.

11. The aroma container according to claim 10, wherein the inner side wall surrounds a space, the cross-sectional area of which is of a geometry that deviates from a circular shape.

12. The aroma container according to claim 11, wherein the geometry of the inner side wall defines just one single position of the aroma container with respect to the rotation thereof in cooperation with a correspondingly formed mouthpiece of a drinking device.

13. The aroma container according to claim 11, wherein for the ratio between a maximum extension L.sub.max of the cross-sectional area of the space surrounded by the inner side wall, and the minimum extension L.sub.min of the cross-sectional area of the space surrounded by the inner side wall, the following applies: 1.05≤L.sub.max/L.sub.min≤1.15.

14. The aroma container according to claim 11, further comprising slide ribs in the region of the inner side wall.

15. The aroma container according to claim 1, wherein the air inlet opening is located in the region of the lower wall of the aroma container; and the air outlet opening is arranged in a side wall of the aroma container.

16. The aroma container according to claim 1, wherein the aroma container comprises a lower shell and an upper shell that is connected to the lower shell, wherein the air outlet opening is arranged in the connection region between the lower shell and upper shell.

17. A drinking device, comprising an aroma container according to claim 1; and a head part, to which the aroma container is connectable such that at least a part of the aroma container is movable from an activated position into a non-activated position; wherein in the activated position, the air outlet opening is in flow connection with a transport channel for drinking liquid in the drinking device; and in the non-activated position, there is no flow connection between the air outlet opening and the transport channel for drinking liquid.

18. The drinking device according to claim 17, wherein the drinking device comprises a removable cover which is configured to be fitted to the head part of the drinking device; and the drinking device comprises at least one force-exerting element configured to move the aroma container from the non-activated position into the activated position when the cover is removed.

19. The drinking device according to claim 18, wherein the at least one force-exerting element includes a stop surface on the cover configured to rotate the aroma container from the non-activated position into the activated position in the case of a rotation of the cover when the cover is unscrewed.

20. The drinking device according to claim 18, wherein the side wall of the aroma container includes a protrusion, at least in portions, which extends outwards; and the at least one force-exerting element includes a hook-shaped element on the cover, which is arranged and designed so as to encompass the protrusion in a form-fitting manner during removal of the cover, and to move the aroma container from the non-activated position into the activated position.

21. The drinking device according to claim 18, wherein the force-exerting element includes a resilient preload element which is arranged between the aroma container and the head part of the drinking device, and preloads the aroma container into the activated position when the cover is removed.

22. The aroma container according to claim 1, wherein the air permeability L of the nonwoven material at a differential pressure of 100 Pa is between 220 l/(m.sup.2.Math.s) and 280 l/(m.sup.2.Math.s).

23. The aroma container according to claim 3, wherein the protrusion extends outwards, substantially perpendicularly to the side wall.

24. The aroma container according to claim 4, wherein the nonwoven material has a specific flow resistance of less than 400 Pa.Math.s/m.

25. The aroma container according to claim 24, wherein the nonwoven material has a specific flow resistance of approximately 380 Pa.Math.s/m.

26. The aroma container according to claim 5, wherein the nonwoven material has an area density of approximately 1000 g/m.sup.2; and a density of approximately 200 kg/m.sup.3.

27. The aroma container according to claim 6, wherein the thickness of the carrier substance is at least 80% of the height between the upper wall of the aroma container and the lower wall of the aroma container.

28. The aroma container according to claim 7, wherein the at least one air inlet opening has a diameter of no more than 20 mm.

29. The aroma container according to claim 8, wherein the porosity of the nonwoven material is between 70% and 80%.

30. The aroma container according to claim 12, wherein the space surrounded by the inner side wall has a substantially drop-shaped cross-sectional area.

31. The aroma container according to claim 13, wherein L.sub.max/L.sub.min is approximately 1.1.

32. The aroma container according to claim 15, wherein the air outlet opening is arranged in an inner side wall in the case of a substantially annular geometry of the aroma container having an outer side wall and an inner side wall.

33. The drinking device according to claim 17, wherein the air inlet opening is .substantially sealed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] The invention will be explained in greater detail in the following, with reference to some embodiments. In the drawings:

[0068] FIG. 1 is an overall view of an aroma container according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0069] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the aroma container according to FIG. 1;

[0070] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the aroma container along the cutting line A-A in FIG. 2;

[0071] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the aroma container along the cutting line B-B in FIG. 2;

[0072] FIG. 5 is an overall view of a second embodiment of an aroma container according to the invention;

[0073] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the aroma container according to FIG. 5, analogously to the cutting plane A-A shown on the basis of the first embodiment in FIG. 2;

[0074] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the aroma container according to FIG. 5, analogously to the cutting plane B-B shown on the basis of the first embodiment in FIG. 2;

[0075] FIG. 8 is a view from below of the aroma container according to FIG. 5;

[0076] FIG. 9 and

[0077] FIG. 10 are a plan view and a three-dimensional view of an aroma container according to a further embodiment of the invention;

[0078] FIG. 11 and

[0079] FIG. 12 are a plan view and a three-dimensional view of an aroma container according to a further embodiment of the invention;

[0080] FIG. 13 and

[0081] FIG. 13a are a three-dimensional view and a plan view of an aroma container according to a further embodiment of the invention in the activated position;

[0082] FIG. 14 and

[0083] FIG. 14a are a three-dimensional view and a plan view of the aroma container according to FIG. 13a in the non-activated position;

[0084] FIG. 15 and

[0085] FIG. 16 are a plan view and a three-dimensional view of an aroma container according to a further alternative embodiment of the invention;

[0086] FIG. 17 and

[0087] FIG. 18 show a further embodiment of an aroma container according to the invention in a first, non-activated position;

[0088] FIG. 19 shows the aroma container according to FIG. 17 in an activated position;

[0089] FIG. 20 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the aroma container according to FIG. 19 in the activated position;

[0090] FIG. 21 and

[0091] FIG. 22 shows an embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention comprising a cover for automatically actuating the aroma container;

[0092] FIG. 23 shows an embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention comprising a first alternative possibility of a force-exerting element;

[0093] FIG. 24 shows an embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention comprising a second alternative possibility of a force-exerting element;

[0094] FIG. 25 and

[0095] FIG. 26 shows a plan view and a side view of the force-exerting element according to FIG. 24;

[0096] FIG. 27 shows a cover of a drinking device according to the invention for automatically actuating the aroma container;

[0097] FIG. 28 is a view from below of the cover according to FIG. 247;

[0098] FIG. 29 is a sectional view in the direction A-A in FIG. 28; and

[0099] FIG. 30 is a sectional view explaining the interaction of the cover according to FIG. 27 with an aroma container according to FIG. 5.

MODES OF IMPLEMENTING OF THE INVENTION

[0100] The invention will be explained in the following, purely by way of example, with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. In this case, terms such as upper, lower and lateral/side are used as though the aroma container, for example according to FIG. 1, were located having its lower wall lying on a horizontal, flat surface.

[0101] An aroma container 10 according to a first embodiment is shown in FIG. 1 to 4. In this case, the aroma container 10 comprises an upper wall 12, a lower wall 14, an inner side wall 16, and an outer side wall 18. As shown in particular in the sectional views according to FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper wall 12, lower wall 14, inner side wall 16 and outer side wall 18 surround an aroma chamber 40.

[0102] The upper wall 12 is preferably flat, at least in regions, in order that a label can be affixed to the outside of the upper wall 12.

[0103] The aroma container 10 according to FIG. 1 is substantially annular, comprising a circular ring-shaped outer side wall 18, and an inner side wall 16 which deviates from a circular shape. In other words, the space surrounded by the inner side wall 16 has a cross-sectional area which is not circular.

[0104] In the specific example, as is most clearly visible in the view according to FIG. 2, the inner side wall 16 is provided with a flat portion 26 and is otherwise approximately drop-shaped, having an end 28 substantially tapering to a point. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the illustrated geometry of the inner side wall 16 allows for clear positioning of the aroma container on a drinking device (not shown). In this case, the aroma container 10 can be placed on a correspondingly shaped element of the drinking device, the outer contour of which follows the geometry of the inner side wall to such an extent that the aroma container can be placed on the drinking device only in one single angular position, i.e. with respect to a rotation in the drawing plane of FIG. 2.

[0105] In this case, the geometry of the inner side wall 16 is selected such that the deviation of the inner contour from a circular ring shape is only slight. In this case, the ratio between the greatest clear dimension L.sub.max in the cross-sectional area of the space surrounded by the inner side wall 16, with respect to the smallest dimension L.sub.min, ranges between 1.05 and 1.15, and is preferably approximately 1.1.

[0106] The flat portion 26 makes it possible to seal the air outlet opening 24 when the aroma container is pushed onto a correspondingly shaped geometry of the drinking device. Providing a flat sub-surface 26 in the region of the air outlet opening 24 is more suitable for this than a rounded surface.

[0107] The air outlet opening 24 is provided in the seam region between an upper shell 20 and a lower shell 22. This has the advantage that the aroma container can be easily manufactured since no separate slider has to be provided in the case of manufacture by injection moulding, but rather the upper shell 20 and lower shell 22 together form the air outlet opening 24.

[0108] A shadow gap 30, which fulfils various tasks, is provided in the region between the upper shell 20 and lower shell 22. Providing a shadow gap between the upper shell 20 and lower shell 22 can prevent material, escaping during welding of the upper shell to the lower shell, from optically impairing the appearance of the aroma container. Furthermore, providing the shadow gap makes it possible to achieve rounded edges. A further advantage of providing the shadow gap 30 is that the user can be visually given feedback of the operating position in which the aroma container is located, in that said container can be displaced in a vertical direction, relative to the drinking device, and in the process, in an arrangement of the aroma container displaced vertically downwards the shadow gap is no longer visible for the user.

[0109] The contour of the inner side wall 16 is vertical, i.e. the space surrounded by the inner side wall has a constant cross-sectional dimension over the height of the aroma container. This allows for vertical displacement of the aroma container relative to an element of a drinking device, which extends through the space surrounded by the inner side wall and rests on the inner side wall. Providing an inner side wall having a vertical extension is advantageous in all embodiments of the invention.

[0110] The air inlet opening 48 is shown in FIG. 4 and is located in the lower wall 14 of the aroma container. In this case, the air inlet opening 48 is preferably located in the lower wall 14, in the region of the end 28 that tapers to a point, and thus diametrically opposed to the air outlet opening 24. Consequently, the air flow flowing through the aroma container has to travel as wide a travel distance as possible, and can thus be enriched with aroma substance in a particularly effective manner.

[0111] As shown in the sectional views according to FIGS. 3 and 4, the aroma chamber 40 is located in the interior of the aroma container 10. Furthermore, a carrier substance 42 is inserted in the aroma chamber 40, which carrier substance carries the aroma substance. The carrier substance is, as shown in FIG. 2, U-shaped, i.e. not completely peripheral, with the result that the insertion of the carrier substance by machine, into the lower shell 22 of the aroma container, prior to placement of the upper shell 20, can be facilitated during the production process. The U-shaped geometry of the carrier substance furthermore allows for a better aroma development since, in the embodiment according to FIG. 1 to 4, in the region of the end 28 tapering to a point the air first enters into an air-filled space 44 of the aroma chamber 40, and can subsequently enter the carrier substance 42 uniformly over the entire height thereof, and flow through the carrier substance.

[0112] As is also shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a head space is located above the carrier substance, in which head space the aroma chamber 40 is not filled with carrier substance 42. Providing a head space also has the function of allowing improved enrichment of the air, as well as a homogenisation of the air with aroma substance.

[0113] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in this case the carrier substance 42 is inserted into the aroma chamber 40 such that the carrier substance rests on the side 36 of the lower wall 14 facing the aroma chamber. The head space 32 is consequently provided between the carrier substance 42 and the side 34 of the upper wall 12 facing the aroma chamber. In this case, the head space 32 is of a height which is less than 50% of the height of the aroma chamber 42, i.e. less than 50% of the spacing between the side 34 of the upper wall 12 facing the aroma chamber and the side 36 of the lower wall 14 facing the aroma chamber. It is preferred, however, for the carrier substance to occupy at least 80% of the height of the aroma chamber.

[0114] In all the embodiments shown, the carrier substance is a nonwoven material which, at a differential pressure of 100 Pa, has an air permeability L of L≥200 l/(m.sup.2.Math.s), and preferably between 220 l/(m.sup.2.Math.s) and 280 l/(m.sup.2.Math.s). The nonwoven preferably consists of 100% polyester. In this case, the porosity of the nonwoven material is between 70% and 93%, preferably between 70% and 80%.

[0115] In the embodiment according to FIG. 1 to 4, the diameter of the air inlet opening in the lower wall is 1.2 mm.

[0116] Since the upper shell 20 and lower shell 22 are interconnected by means of ultrasonic welding methods, the upper shell and lower shell are connected in a sealed manner other than in the region of the air outlet opening, such that a possible penetration of air into the aroma container, or an undesired escape of aroma substance, for example during storage, from the aroma container can be prevented.

[0117] The embodiment of the aroma container 10 shown in FIG. 5 to 8 differs from the aroma container according to FIG. 1 to 4 merely in that a protruding region 46 is provided on the outer side wall 18 of the aroma container. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 8, the protruding region 46 is designed as a peripheral edge, but can equally also comprise individual, separate sub-portions. In the same way, in the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 8 the peripheral edge is arranged in a plane with the upper wall 12, which likewise merely constitutes an example. It is equally possible to provide the protruding portion(s) at any desired position of the side wall. Finally, it should also be clear that the overall geometry of the aroma container shown in FIG. 5 to 8 is likewise to be understood merely by way of example. The aroma container does not have to be ring-shaped. All that is important is that the side wall should comprise a protrusion, at least in portions. In this case, it is preferable for the protrusion to extend outwards, substantially perpendicularly to the outer side wall.

[0118] The peripheral edge 46 shown in the embodiment according to FIG. 5 to 8 makes it possible for the aroma container to be more easily gripped by a user. In a specific embodiment, which will be explained below, in interaction with a drinking device the peripheral edge 46 can also be used to move the aroma container, in a comfortable manner, between a non-activated position and an activated position, or to separate it from the drinking device.

[0119] The peripheral edge 46 only has to have a slight radial extension in order to facilitate gripping of the aroma container for a user. For example, in general an extension of from 0.6 mm to 1.5 mm towards the outside is sufficient to offer the user additional purchase when gripping the aroma container and removing it upwards. With respect to the vertical height of the peripheral edge, too, it is sufficient for the peripheral edge to be of a thickness, i.e. vertical extension, of between 2.0 mm and 2.5 mm. In the case of conventional plastics materials, from which the aroma container is preferably produced, providing a thickness of the peripheral edge in this range makes it possible to achieve sufficient stability.

[0120] FIGS. 9 and 10 are a plan view and a three-dimensional view of a further alternative embodiment of an aroma container according to the invention. The aroma container according to FIGS. 9 and 10 is constructed in a manner similar to the aroma container according to the preceding embodiments, but has a recessed handle 50 in the region of the side wall 18. In this case, the aroma container according to FIGS. 9 and 10 can also be provided with an edge which is provided in portions or is peripheral, as in the embodiment according to FIG. 5 to 8. The recessed handle 50 makes it possible for the user to be able to better grip the aroma container when pushing the aroma container onto the head part of an associated drinking device, as a result of which the actuation of the aroma container is simplified.

[0121] In addition to a protruding portion such as the peripheral edge 46, shown by way of example, and a recessed handle 50, other geometries are also conceivable, which allow for easier gripping of the aroma container. For example, this can also be achieved by providing a suitable surface structure of the side wall, such as a textured surface, or the use of coatings, for example comprising elastomers.

[0122] In numerous embodiments, in each case reference is made to a substantially circular ring-shaped geometry of the aroma container having a circular ring shape on the outside on an approximate drop shape on the inside, in order to be able to better point out the specific differences between the individual embodiments. Nonetheless, it should be clear that the aroma container according to the invention is not restricted to a geometry of this kind. In the following, as an example for the different geometries reference is made to FIGS. 11 and 12, which show an aroma container 10 which is designed so as to be substantially U-shaped.

[0123] The aroma container according to FIGS. 11 and 12 again comprises an upper wall 12, a lower wall 14, an inner side wall 16, and an outer side wall 18. The outer side wall 18 can, as in the embodiment of the aroma container according to FIGS. 9 and 10, be provided with a recessed handle 50 arranged concavely in the side wall 18. In the same way, the aroma container according to FIGS. 11 and 12 could also be provided with a peripheral edge 46, as has been described with reference to the embodiment according to FIG. 5 to 8. As shown in FIG. 12, the air outlet opening 24 is provided in the centre of the U-shaped geometry of the aroma container, in the region of a flat portion 26.

[0124] In a manner deviating from the preceding embodiments, the aroma container 10 according to FIGS. 11 and 12 is provided with two air inlet openings 48, which are each located in the region of the free end 52 of the U-shaped profile and ensure that the aroma substance located in the carrier substance of the aroma chamber is take up by the air flow, flowing through, from the region of both free ends 52.

[0125] The aroma container 10 shown in FIGS. 13a, 13b, 14a and 14b comprises a closure attachment 54 which is located in the region of the inner side wall 16, in the region of the air outlet opening 24. In the embodiment shown, the closure attachment 54 is rigidly connected to the upper wall 12, but the operating principle described in the following can equally also be implemented if the closure attachment is rigidly connected to the lower wall instead of to the upper wall. The closure attachment extends along the inner side wall 16, into the space surrounded by the inner side wall, and is arranged along the inner side wall, at a close spacing.

[0126] The closure attachment 54 serves to move the aroma container 10 between an activated position, shown in FIGS. 13a and 13b, and a non-activated position, shown in FIGS. 14a and 14b. In the activated position the air outlet opening 24 is free, while in the non-activated position the air outlet opening 24 is closed by the closure attachment 54.

[0127] For this purpose, the upper wall 12 is rotatable relative to the wall portion of the inner side wall 15 in which the air outlet opening 24 is located. The user can thus move the aroma container 10 between the activated position shown in FIG. 13a and the non-activated position shown in FIG. 14a, by rotating the upper wall 12 in the rotation direction R.

[0128] In this case, the rotation R can be brought about in that a user grips the aroma container at the upper wall 12 and rotates said upper wall relative to the lower wall 14. Alternatively, the user could also displace the closure attachment 54 using a finger. For this purpose, the closure attachment can, as in the embodiment shown, comprise a concavely shaped gripping surface 55 and improve the contact between a finger and the closure attachment 54 in another, suitable manner.

[0129] FIGS. 15 and 16 show an embodiment of the aroma container according to the invention, in which slide ribs 56 extend from the inner side wall 16 into the space surrounded by the inner side wall. In this case, the slide ribs extend in the vertical direction and have a rounded contour that faces away from the inner side wall 16, such that substantially only linear contact between the aroma container 10 and the head part of a drinking device can be established in the region of the slide ribs 56, which contact extends through the space surrounded by the inner side wall 16 of the aroma container.

[0130] The slide ribs 56, which extend in the vertical direction of the aroma container, additionally serve to guide the aroma container, and to allow for straight removal of the aroma container from a drinking device.

[0131] In the following embodiments, design variants are shown in which an aroma container is movable between an activated position and a non-activated position.

[0132] In the embodiment according to FIG. 17 to 20, the aroma container is moved between the activated and non-activated position in that the upper shell 20 and the lower shell 22 of the aroma container 10 are movable relative to one another. For this purpose, as can be seen from the sectional views in FIGS. 18 and 20, the upper shell 20 and the lower shell 22 are displaceable against one another, in the vertical direction.

[0133] In this case, the aroma container can interact with a drinking device such that the head part of the drinking device moves through the space surrounded by the inner side wall 16. In this case, the lower wall 14, in which the air inlet opening 48 is located, can rest on the head part of the drinking device, in the non-activated state which is shown in FIG. 18, in such a way that the air inlet opening 48 is sealed. Furthermore, in the non-activated state the air outlet opening 24 is also closed. If the aroma container is now pulled vertically upwards, in that either a user or, as will be explained later, the cover of the drinking device, grips the peripheral edge 46 from below and pulls the aroma container upwards in the arrow direction A, the upper shell 20 and lower shell 22, which are guided displaceably against one another, are pulled apart, as a result of which the passage 58 in the region of the air outlet opening 24 is formed (see FIG. 20). In this way, in the case of the vertical movement of the aroma container in the arrow direction A, both the air inlet opening 48 and the air outlet opening 24 are opened, and the aroma container is thus brought into an activated position ready for operation.

[0134] The embodiment according to FIGS. 21 and 22 shows an alternative design of an aroma container 10 which, upon actuation of a cover 70 of the drinking device, is movable between the activated and the non-activated position. For this purpose, the cover 70 is either unscrewed from the drinking device or screwed thereon, in the rotation direction B.

[0135] In this case, the cover is designed such that it is movable freely and independently of the aroma container, but in the last portion of the complete screwing onto the drinking device comes into engagement with an upper edge region 74 of the aroma container, by means of an entrainment surface 72. In this case, when the cover is screwed onto the drinking device, in the clockwise direction, the aroma container is thus moved together therewith, such that the aroma container is in a non-activated state in which the air outlet opening is no longer flush with a corresponding inlet opening in the transport channel for drinking liquid, and therefore no aromatic air can be output from the aroma container. The rotation of the aroma container can equally also be performed manually by the user.

[0136] In the same way, when the cover is unscrewed from the drinking device according to FIG. 21, the entrainment surface 76 of the cover can come into engagement with the upper edge region 78 of the aroma container 10, and move the aroma container along therewith, according to the arrow direction B in FIG. 21, until the aroma container is in an activated position and the entrainment surface 76 of the cover, due to the movement upwards in the drawing plane of FIG. 21, is no longer in engagement with the upper edge region 78, such that the aroma container thus remains in its activated position during the further rotation of the cover.

[0137] FIG. 23 shows an alternative possibility, by means of which the aroma container 10 can be automatically brought into an activated position, in interaction with a drinking device 60, when no vertical pressure acts on the aroma container 10 any longer, by means of opening a cover. For this purpose, a resilient element, in the present case a helical spring 82, is provided in the region of the head part 80 of the drinking device, which spring preloads the aroma container 10 vertically upwards. In the illustration according to FIG. 23, the aroma container is shown not in the activated position, but rather during placement of the aroma container on the head part 80 of the drinking device, in order that the helical spring 82 is visible. During operation, and in particular during the movement of the aroma container between a non-activated position and an activated position, it is sufficient for the helical spring 82 to move the aroma container upwards merely by a small travel distance, where the aroma container strikes a stop at the part of the head part 80 which extends through the space formed by the inner side wall 16. In this way, when the cover is unscrewed the resilient preload of the helical spring 82 moves the aroma container upwards, against a stop, by a defined travel distance, where said container is in the activated position. In the same way, upon opening the cover, pressure is exerted on the upper wall 12 of the aroma container 10, and this is displaced downwards, in the vertical direction, into the non-activated position.

[0138] The embodiment according to FIG. 24 to 26 differs from that according to FIG. 23 merely in that a spring ring 84 is provided instead of the helical spring 82. The spring has the advantage, compared with the helical spring 82 according to the embodiment according to FIG. 23, that it is easier to clean.

[0139] The spring ring can be provided as a separate component, which is inserted into a depression in the head part 80 of the drinking device 60 and displaces the aroma container 10 vertically upwards, from the non-activated position, into the activated position, as soon as the cover (not shown in FIG. 24) is removed from the drinking device and no longer exerts any pressure on the upper wall 12 of the aroma container. In this case, a shape of the spring ring 24 given by way of example is shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, from which it is evident that the spring ring is merely an annular plate having a curved, elastically deformable central part 85, which can be easily cleaned by a user.

[0140] FIG. 27 to 30 show the cover 70 and the interaction thereof with an aroma container 10 according to the embodiment of FIG. 5 to 8, which allows for an automatic movement of the aroma container between the non-activated position and the activated position. In this case, the cover 70 of the drinking device is provided with at least one engagement hook, in the embodiment according to FIG. 27 to 30 with three engagement hooks 86, which, as is most clearly evident from the view of FIG. 28, are uniformly distributed over the periphery of an inner surface of the cover 70. In this case, the geometry of an engagement hook 86 in cross section can be seen from the sectional view in FIG. 29. In this case, the engagement hooks extend downwards from the stop surface 88 in the cover. In this case, the stop surface 88 has the function of positioning the upper wall 12 of the aroma container 10. The aroma container is provided with a peripheral edge 46, in order, as shown in FIG. 30, to be able to grip the engagement hook 86 in a form-fitting manner. The aroma container 10 is exactly positioned on the head part of the drinking device, with respect to the angle, such that the aroma container does not rotate when the cover is rotated, but rather the engagement hooks 86 are moved around the peripheral edge 46 in the case of a rotation of the cover, and, upon unscrewing of the cover upwards, pull the aroma container 10 upwards therewith.

[0141] When the cover is unscrewed, the aroma container is pulled upwards until it strikes a stop. As soon as the aroma container has been pulled upwards as far as its activated position, i.e. its operating position, and strikes the stop on the mouthpiece of the drinking device (not shown), the engagement hooks deform in the event of a further vertical movement of the cover 70 upwards, and in the process come out of engagement with the peripheral edge 46 of the aroma container.

[0142] If, following use of the drinking device, during which the aroma container 10 is in the upwardly pulled, activated position, the cover is closed again, then the engagement hooks 86 snap over the peripheral edge 46 of the aroma container. The upper wall 12 of the cover 70 then rests against the stop surface 88 of the cover 70 such that, in the event of a further vertical movement of the cover downwards, for example during screwing of the cover onto a thread on the head part of the drinking device, the aroma container is pushed vertically downwards, until the aroma container is in the non-activated position in which the outlet opening is no longer in flow connection with a corresponding inlet opening into the transport channel for drinking liquid, and the air inlet opening 48 arranged on the underside of the aroma container is pressed against a sealing surface on the head part of the drinking device.

[0143] Thus, in this embodiment too, the user no longer has to move the aroma container back and forth between the non-activated and the activated position since this occurs automatically when the cover is unscrewed and screwed on. However, if the user does not wish to consume aromatised drinking liquid, it is of course possible to manually push the aroma container vertically downwards into the non-activated position before drinking.

[0144] In addition to the variants described above, by means of which the aroma container can be moved automatically between the activated and the non-activated position, further solutions, which are not described in detail here, are also conceivable. For example, the aroma container can be pulled upwards by means of a magnetic coupling of the aroma container to the cover. Instead of a screw connection, a bayonet connection between the cover and the drinking container can equally also be provided.

[0145] It is likewise possible to provide a hinged cover, either with or without a spring element, which, upon opening, either releases the aroma container, such that it can be displaced into the activated position by means of a spring element, or, by means of ramp-like oblique surfaces on the cover, automatically slightly rotates the aroma container upon opening and closing of the cover, in order to move said container between the activated position and the non-activated position.

[0146] Finally, it is also possible to design the aroma container such that it is movable automatically from a non-activated into an activated position, when negative pressure is applied. In this solution, the moving part of the aroma container is a non-return valve which opens automatically in the event of a negative pressure during use of the drinking device, and releases the air outlet opening of the aroma container.

[0147] What is common to all the solutions described above is that the aroma container is designed such that the Reynolds number Re in the air inlet region is greater than 2000, wherein the Reynolds number is defined as Re=(w.Math.d)/v, with the kinematic viscosity of air v [m.sup.2/s], the diameter d [m] of the air inlet opening, and the flow speed w [m/s] upon inflow into the aroma container at a time-averaged volume flow between 250 ml/min and 600 ml/min. The geometry of the aroma chamber is preferably designed such that, in the case of this volume flow of air flowing into the aroma container, a turbulent air flow prevails in the entire aroma container, wherein the local Reynolds number, which characterises the local flow state at a particular point in the aroma container, instead of the diameter d of the air inlet opening, with the aid of the largest free flow cross section, in each case, is formed in the local region of the aroma container.

[0148] The embodiments described above describe individual advantageous designs of the aroma container according to the invention, which can be combined with one another as far as is expedient, and also combined with one another in further embodiments that are not described in detail.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0149] 10 aroma container [0150] 12 upper wall [0151] 14 lower wall [0152] 16 inner side wall [0153] 18 outer side wall [0154] 20 upper shell [0155] 22 lower shell [0156] 24 air outlet opening [0157] 26 flat portion [0158] 28 end tapering to a point [0159] 30 shadow gap [0160] 32 head space [0161] 34 the side of the upper wall facing the aroma chamber [0162] 36 the side of the lower wall facing the aroma chamber [0163] 40 aroma chamber [0164] 42 carrier substance [0165] 44 air-filled space of the aroma chamber [0166] 46 peripheral edge [0167] 48 air inlet opening [0168] 50 recessed handle [0169] 52 free end of the aroma container [0170] 54 closure attachment [0171] 55 gripping surface [0172] 56 slide rib [0173] 58 passage [0174] 60 drinking device [0175] 70 cover [0176] 72 entrainment surface [0177] 74 upper edge region [0178] 76 entrainment surface [0179] 78 upper edge region [0180] 80 head part [0181] 82 helical spring [0182] 84 spring ring [0183] 85 curved central part [0184] 86 engagement hook [0185] 88 stop surface