DRINKING DEVICE

Abstract

A drinking device for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance comprises a storage container (12) for drinking liquid, a head part (14), which can be fastened on the storage container and has a mouth end (28), at least one exchangeable aroma container (20), through which air can flow and which can be fastened on the head part, and a drinking straw, which is fixed in the head part, said drinking straw comprising: a transport channel (18) for drinking liquid, said transport channel extending from the storage container (12) towards the mouth end (28) of the drinking device (10); and an air channel (78) for transporting aromatized air, said air channel extending from at least one of the at least one aroma container (20) towards the mouth end (28).

Claims

1. A drinking device for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance, comprising: a storage container (12) for drinking liquid; a head part (14), which can be fastened on the storage container and has a mouth end (28); an exchangeable aroma container (20), through which air can flow and which can be fastened on the head part (14); and a drinking straw (66), which is fixed in the head part (14), said drinking straw comprising: a transport channel (18) for drinking liquid, said transport channel extending from the storage container (12) towards the mouth end (28) of the head part (14); and an air channel (78) for transporting aromatized air, said air channel extending from the aroma container (20) towards the mouth end (28) of the head part (14).

2. The drinking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the exchangeable aroma container (20) can be moved, in relation to the head part (14), in an axial direction from a sealing position to a non-sealing position.

3. The drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a pressure equalizing channel closing an air supply line that leads into the interior of the storage container (12) for drinking liquid.

4. The drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head part (14) is arranged at an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the storage container, is preferably inclined at an angle between 20° and 30° in relation to the storage container, and is particularly preferably inclined at an angle of approximately 25° in relation to the longitudinal axis of the storage container.

5. The drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drinking straw (66) has a sectional curvature in the longitudinal direction.

6. The drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a lid (40) which can preferably be screwed onto the head part (14) of the drinking device and preferably has a receiving means (46) for attaching a carrying strap (45).

7. The drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head part (14) has an air chamber (82) in connection with the air channel (22).

8. An aroma container for a drinking device according to one of the preceding claims for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance, comprising: an essentially annular aroma chamber (48) comprising a carrier substance that contains a fluid with an aromatizing substance; wherein the aroma chamber (48) is enclosed by a wall which comprises an interior circumferential surface (52), an exterior circumferential surface (50) as well as a top side (54) and a lower side (56); wherein the interior circumferential surface (52) has a non-circular cross-section and is shaped in such a way that the aroma container (20) can only be put in a single rotational direction onto a component shaped complementarily to the interior circumferential surface (52) and can be shifted in an axial direction essentially perpendicular to the top side (54) in relation to the component; at least one first opening (58) for air to flow in; and at least one second opening (60) for air to flow out.

9. The aroma container according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least one first opening (58) for air to flow in is arranged in the lower side (56) of the wall.

10. The aroma container according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the at least one second opening (60) for air to flow out is arranged in the interior circumferential surface (52).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The invention is described below, merely by way of example, on the basis of the enclosed schematic figures, in which

[0043] FIG. 1 schematically shows the functional principle of a drinking device according to the invention for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance;

[0044] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a drinking device according to the invention with screwed-on lid;

[0045] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a drinking device according to the invention according to FIG. 2 without a lid;

[0046] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show a carrying strap as well as the fastening geometry for the carrying strap on the lid;

[0047] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an aroma container;

[0048] FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the aroma container according to FIG. 6;

[0049] FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show the head part of the drinking device according to the invention with inserted drinking straw;

[0050] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the head part;

[0051] FIG. 11 is a sectional view along section line A-A in FIG. 10;

[0052] FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 show the two operating states of the drinking device according to the invention;

[0053] FIG. 14 shows a sectional view of the drinking straw; and

[0054] FIG. 15 illustrates the interior of the lid.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0055] In the following embodiments, the same construction elements will be designated with the same reference numbers.

[0056] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a drinking device 10 in which the individual components are shown in such a way that they are easily visible, without exactly following the embodiment described in more detail below. The drinking device consists of a storage container 12 filled with a pure drinking liquid as well as a head part 14. Herein, a pure drinking liquid is always understood to mean that drinking liquid which does not contain an aroma added by the drinking system according to the invention. The head part 14 comprises a mouthpiece which in this case is integrated in the head part but can also be provided separately. In the head part 14 is an aroma container 20 which is in flow connection with the ambient air in a manner not illustrated in FIG. 1, and from which an air channel 22 for transporting aromatized air leads away. Also provided is a transport channel 18 for drinking liquid, which in the present embodiment example extends like a straw into the pure liquid contained in the storage container 12.

[0057] When using the drinking device 10 according to the invention, both the pure liquid and the aromatized air are ingested orally, and the aromatized air proceeds via the retronasal route 24 in the direction of arrow A to the olfactory mucosa 26, where the aroma is detected by the receptors which are located in the olfactory mucosa, and the user gains the impression, via the neuronal processing of the sensory stimuli, that the pure liquid which the user is drinking (direction of arrow B) has the flavor added by the aroma.

[0058] It is advantageous if the contact between the aromatized air and the pure liquid is as short as possible. In this manner, undesired mass transfer of aroma substance between the air and the pure liquid is minimized, however, absorption of the aroma in the liquid cannot be excluded entirely. The shorter the period of contact between the air and the liquid, but also the smaller the total interface between air and liquid, the less the undesired mass transfer.

[0059] In order to be able to use the drinking device according to the invention in an expedient way, it must be ensured firstly that the aroma does not escape in an undesirable manner while the drinking device is being stored, and also that a drinking device already filled with pure drinking liquid cannot leak. Furthermore, the drinking device must also have an air channel between the interior of the storage container for drinking liquid and the ambient atmosphere, which serves to equalize the pressure and which introduces a volume of air into the drinking device corresponding to the volume of drinking liquid withdrawn from the drinking device during drinking. This air channel should also be provided with a suitable locking device to prevent undesired leaking of the drinking liquid.

[0060] In FIGS. 2 and 3, the essential components of the drinking device 10 according to the invention are illustrated. A head part 14 is fastened on the storage container 12 for pure liquid. The head part 14 is clamped into the top opening of the storage container 12, but could also be fastened, for example, via an internal thread not illustrated here on the storage container 12 for pure liquid or via another fastening technique. As apparent from the illustrations according to FIGS. 2 and 3, the head part 14 is arranged at an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis A of the storage container 12. For ergonomic reasons, an angle of approximately α=25′ between the longitudinal axis A of the storage container and the longitudinal axis B of the drinking attachment ending at the mouth end 28 has turned out to be particularly advantageous.

[0061] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a lid 40 can be screwed onto the head part by means of a thread 32 in order to close the drinking device 10.

[0062] A carrying strap 45, which can be designed to be exchangeable, can be fastened on the lid 40. For this purpose, a connection is provided between the lid 40 and the carrying strap 45, which can easily be undone by the user and which can be designed as a tongue-and-groove system, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, with one or more tongues 44 at the carrying strap 42 and corresponding grooves 46 at the lid 40. The grooves are tapered to increase friction so that the carrying strap 45 cannot detach itself from the lid unintentionally. The connection illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 only constitutes an example, of course, and can be replaced by any other connection that can be easily mounted and unmounted. The carrying strap 45 is preferably made of silicone with a rounded loop so as to avoid tearing when pulled. The two ends are joined downwards so as to cover the form-fitting connection with its technical look.

[0063] In FIG. 3, the drinking device 10 is illustrated without the lid so that the head part 14 which is attached in the top opening at the cranked end of the storage container 10 is visible. The head part 14 is clamped into the top opening of the storage container. Preferably, the head part is made of silicone or another elastomer that is sufficiently elastic to be clamped into the top opening of the storage container and tightly seals the top opening. The head part has a mouthpiece 28 which has an oval design for better ergonomics at the lips. Moreover, the oval shape of the mouthpiece 28 also enables more precise positioning of the head part 14 on the storage container 12 since the non-circular shape of the mouthpiece provides visual and haptic feedback.

[0064] An exchangeable aroma container 20 is attached to the head part 14. The aroma container 20 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 has an annular interior 48 that is enclosed outwards by an annular exterior wall 50, radially inwards by an interior wall 52, at the top by a top side 54 and at the bottom by a lower side 56. In the interior 48, there is a carrier material provided with an aroma substance. The aroma substance is preferably provided in liquid form.

[0065] On the lower side 56, a first opening 58 is located through which the ambient air can flow into the interior 48 of the aroma container 20 in the operating position which will be explained below. In the interior wall 52, a second opening 60 is provided through which the air aromatized in the aroma container flows out in the operating position. The first opening 58 and the second opening 60 are spaced as far apart as possible so that the air flowing in through the first opening 58 absorbs as much aroma as possible while flowing through the interior 48, before flowing out through the second opening 60.

[0066] As apparent in particular from FIG. 7, the space enclosed by the interior wall 52 has a drop-shaped cross-section. This cross-sectional shape has only been chosen by way of example. However, it is decisive that only a single position is possible with regard to the radial direction R, in which the aroma container 20 can be attached to the mouthpiece.

[0067] The top side 54 is designed to be as flat as possible so that a sticker can be attached there to provide information about the flavor of the aroma container 20.

[0068] Furthermore, a step 62 is provided between the interior wall 52 and the top side 54, with which the aroma container 20 abuts in the operating position against a stop 64 at the head part, as shown e.g. in FIGS. 8 and 11.

[0069] Additional measures can be provided at the exterior wall 50 so that a user has a secure, good grip of the aroma container, on the one hand, to shift the aroma container between the resting position and the operating position and, on the other hand, to be able to exchange it as well.

[0070] In FIGS. 8 and 9, the head part 14 is shown with a drinking straw 66 fixed therein. When refilling liquid into the container, the head part 14 is taken off together with the drinking straw 66. The head part 14 is formed integrally with the mouth end 28. The oval shape of the mouth end 28 is most easily apparent from FIG. 10. The drinking straw 66 can be separated from the head part 14 to make cleaning easier.

[0071] The mouthpiece 68 of the head part 14 is also drop-shaped, however, the exact shapes are preferably not completely complementary to those of the aroma container. The aroma container is supposed to fit tightly against the mouthpiece 68 mainly at the tip and the area diametrically opposite thereto so that there is no play in the area of the openings, but at the same time the friction surface is not too large, in order to facilitate shifting the aroma container 20 in relation to the mouthpiece 68 of the head part 14.

[0072] In the inserted state of the aroma container 20 on the mouthpiece 68 of the head part 14, the aroma container is closed and, due to the lower side 56 resting on the area 70 of the head part 14, no air can flow into the first opening of the aroma container.

[0073] The stop 64 limits the axial movement of the aroma container when it is pushed up into the operating position. The stop 64 has a flexible structure inwards by a circumferential cavity 72 to enable an easy exchange of the aroma container, for which purpose the aroma container has to be pulled out upwards over the stop 64.

[0074] As illustrated in FIG. 9, an equalizing channel 74 is provided at the head part 14, through which air can escape from the storage container and also flow in while drinking.

[0075] When the lid 40 is in place, the equalizing channel 74 is squeezed from above between the edge of the storage container and the lid, thereby providing a seal. When opened, the equalizing channel 74 vents the excess pressure outwards. At the same time, the equalizing channel 74 is designed in such a way that no water remains in the equalizing channel so that no water can squirt from the opening when opened.

[0076] The opening for the drinking straw also adopts the drop shape, thus ensuring the precise positioning of the drinking straw in the head part. When it is pushed in, the drinking straw abuts against a stop in the head part. Due to the stop as well as the cross-sectional shape, the position of the hole 78 in the drinking straw 66, as illustrated in FIG. 14, is fixed both axially and radially, and is thus positioned in relation to the head part.

[0077] In the head part 14, an inlet opening 80 is formed which is illustrated in FIG. 11. This opening 80 communicates with an equalizing chamber 82 in the head part, which serves as buffer and can equalize overpressure and negative pressure generated during and after drinking and thus prevents water from flowing into the aroma container. When assembled, the equalizing chamber 82 is formed as a space between the head part 14 and the drinking straw 66 that is not shown in FIG. 11. Suitable stabilization fins are provided within the equalizing chamber 82 to ensure sufficient stability of the head part in the area of the inlet opening 80 so that the desired seal is provided between the aroma container and the head part.

[0078] Finally, sealing lips 84 are provided in the mouthpiece of the head part 14, which delimit the different areas in the opening from each other and prevent dirt from entering the functional locations.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 10, a marking in the form of an elevation 75 is provided on the head part 14, which indicates to the user where to put the thumb to easily detach the head part from the storage container.

[0080] In FIGS. 12 and 13, the aroma container 20 is illustrated in the operating position. By comparison, FIG. 13 shows the locked position of the aroma container 20. In the operating position, the top side of the aroma container 20 abuts against the stop 64 so that it is clearly recognizable for the user when the aroma container is in the operating position. Only in the operating position, as illustrated in FIG. 12, can air flow in through the first opening and the aromatized air flow out through the second opening and enter the head part 14 through the opening 80 aligned therewith and enter from the equalizing chamber 82 following the opening 80 into the opening 76 in the drinking straw.

[0081] In FIG. 14, a sectional view of the drinking straw 66 is illustrated in which the transport channel 18 for drinking liquid as well as the air channel 78 is located. The drinking straw also has a drop-like cross-sectional shape. As also illustrated in FIG. 3, the drinking straw 66 is curved so that it ends close to the lowest point of the storage container during drinking, when the storage container is held in a slightly inclined way, so that it is possible to consume the liquid in the storage container almost completely.

[0082] In FIG. 15, the lid 40 is illustrated. The lid has an internal thread 86 with which the lid can be screwed onto the thread 32 on the head part. When screwed on, the lid performs several functions. Firstly, a sealing plug 88 is integrally molded with which the mouthpiece is sealed. Moreover, a plurality of fins 90 are provided on the interior circumference of the lid 40 which, when closed, press flatly against the external edge of the area 70 of the mouthpiece and thus seal the equalizing channel. This seal can also be provided by a different protrusion, not shown here, at the level of the end of the fins. Finally, an annular ledge 92 is provided with which the aroma container 20 is shifted into the locked position illustrated in FIG. 13 while the lid 40 is being screwed onto the head part 14, After drinking, a user thus no longer has to shift the aroma container 20 from the operating position illustrated in FIG. 12 to the locked position illustrated in FIG. 13, but merely has to screw on the lid 40.

[0083] With the drinking device according to the invention, the aroma is merely perceived orally and there is thus no orthonasal impression of smell, Due to the oral perception of the aroma, the taste impression is created in the user solely via the retronasal perception of the aroma substance and is only perceived by the consumer via the enteral route in negligible quantities, if at all. Even complex aromas and aroma mixtures can be created which do not require long-term stabilization in the drinking liquid and are not swallowed by the user either.