BOTTLE CAP

Abstract

The invention relates to a bottle cap for attaching to the opening of a bottle, having a hollow tube and a drinking opening, which is connected to the hollow tube. Furthermore, a drinking area is provided, wherein the drinking opening is configured in the drinking area. The invention is characterized in that multiple small openings are configured in the drinking area and a liquid reservoir is provided in the bottle cap. The liquid reservoir is connected to the small openings in a fluid-tight manner. In addition, a dispensing device is provided, which dispenses a predefinable quantity of a liquid from the liquid reservoir via the small openings when activated.

Claims

1.-14. (canceled)

15. A bottle cap for attaching to the opening of a bottle, the bottle cap comprising: a hollow tube, which extends into the interior of the bottle, a drinking opening, which is connected to the hollow tube, a drinking area, wherein the drinking opening is provided in the drinking area, comprising: multiple small openings which are configured in the drinking area, which have a smaller diameter than the drinking opening, a liquid reservoir in the bottle cap, which is connected to the small openings, and a dispensing device, which dispenses a liquid from the liquid reservoir via the small openings when activated, wherein: the liquid reservoir is connected in a fluid-tight manner to the small openings, when activated the dispensing device dispenses a predefinable quantity of the liquid from the liquid reservoir via the small openings, and the multiple small openings are configured for atomizing the liquid.

16. The bottle cap according to claim 1, wherein: a stopper is provided for closing the drinking opening and the small openings in the drinking area in a fluid-tight manner, which stopper can be transferred from a closed position to an open position by means of a vertical and/or rotating movement.

17. The bottle cap according to claim 2, wherein: the dispensing device can be activated on moving the stopper from the closed position to the open position.

18. The bottle cap according to claim 2, wherein: the dispensing device can be activated on moving the stopper from the open position to the closed position.

19. The bottle cap according to claim 1, wherein: for closing the drinking area, a flip closure is provided which is laterally hinged, a stop for the flip closure is configured on the bottle cap, and the stop is configured for activating the dispensing device on contact with the flip closure.

20. The bottle cap according to claim 1, wherein: the bottle cap is configured cylindrically, and on a circumferential surface of the bottle cap an activating device for activating the dispensing device is configured.

21. The bottle cap according to claim 1, wherein: the dispensing device has at least one pressure chamber, which is provided such that it is connected in a fluid-tight manner to the liquid reservoir and the small openings in the dispensing path of the liquid.

22. The bottle cap according to claim 7, wherein: the dispensing device is configured to dispense the predefinable quantity of the liquid from the pressure chamber and to fill up said pressure chamber again after dispensing.

23. The bottle cap according to claim 1, wherein: the predefinable quantity of the liquid is 1 ml to 10 ml, in particular 4 ml to 6 ml.

24. The bottle cap according to claim 1, wherein: the dispensing device has a pump mechanism.

25. The bottle cap according to claim 10, wherein: the pump mechanism is configured mechanically, electrically and/or piezoelectrically.

26. The bottle cap according to claim 1, wherein: a microcontroller having an external communication interface is provided, and the dispensing device is configured for communication with the microcontroller.

27. The bottle cap according to claim 1, wherein: at least two liquid reservoirs are provided.

28. A mug comprising a bottle cap according to one of claim 1.

Description

[0030] The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of schematic exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached figures. These show the following:

[0031] FIG. 1: a schematic view of a bottle cap according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

[0032] FIG. 2: a schematic view of a bottle cap according to the invention according to a second embodiment; and

[0033] FIG. 3: a schematic view of a bottle cap according to the invention according to a further design.

[0034] Throughout the three figures identical parts are labelled with identical reference numbers.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a bottle cap 1 according to the invention. This is attached with an internal thread 8 to a bottle 40, which has an external thread 41.

[0036] Through the bottle cap 1 a hollow tube 3 extends into the interior of the bottle 40. This hollow tube 3 is connected at the upper end to a drinking opening 4, which is located in a drinking area 6. Below the drinking area 6, two pressure chambers 13, 14 are arranged. Below the two pressure chambers 13, 14 in turn two liquid reservoirs 21, 22 are located. A connection between the first pressure chamber 13 and the first liquid reservoir 21 is made by appropriate valves 15 on the common contact surface or dividing wall. A connection is also provided between the second pressure chamber 14 and the second liquid reservoir 22 by similar valves 15. The two pressure chambers 13, 14 furthermore have a connection to small openings 11, which serve to atomize a fluid. The small openings 11 are provided in the drinking area 6.

[0037] At the upper end of the bottle cap, a stopper 30 is configured, which is made in the form of a nipple. In principle, this has a known construction, such that when it is pulled out it exposes the drinking opening 4, such that liquid from the interior of the bottle 40 can be drunk via the drinking opening 4.

[0038] The functioning of the bottle cap 1 according to the invention will be explained in more detail below. In this context, the dispensing device, which is made up of the plurality of the parts of the bottle cap 1, will also be discussed.

[0039] In the initial state, a predefinable quantity of liquid is located in the first pressure chamber 13, whereas the second pressure chamber 14 is empty. If the stopper 30 is pulled upwards, a base of the first pressure chamber 13 likewise moves upwards. This leads to the liquid that is located in the first pressure chamber 13 being squeezed out of the small openings 11.

[0040] When the stopper 30 is pulled upwards, a dividing wall in the second pressure chamber 14 is also pushed downwards, whereby part of the liquid that is located in the second liquid reservoir 22 is transferred into the second pressure chamber 14 by the principle of communicating vessels and appropriate valves.

[0041] Once the stopper 30 is open, the user can partake of the contents of the bottle via the drinking opening 4. As soon as he closes the stopper 30, he pushes it downwards. As a consequence thereof, the base or movable wall is pushed upwards in the second pressure chamber 14 by means of a deflection, whereby the liquid from the second pressure chamber 14 is dispensed via the small openings 11. Similarly, the dividing wall is displaced downwards in the first pressure chamber 13 and as a result, liquid from the first liquid reservoir 21 is in turn transferred via the valves 15 into the first pressure chamber 14.

[0042] In principle, of course, other dispensing mechanisms are also possible, which can be implemented in a similar way by mechanical, electrical and piezoelectric means.

[0043] Thus, with the bottle cap 1 it is possible according to the invention for a specific quantity of liquid to be initially sprayed into the mouth area of a user before the drinking process is started. This results in a taste experience corresponding to the selected liquid. The actual liquid from the bottle 40 can then be drunk. This is preferably water which, as already stated, makes hardly any contribution to the taste experience during the drinking process.

[0044] When the bottle cap 1 is closed, a liquid is again sprayed from the second reservoir 22 or the second pressure chamber 14 into the user's mouth. This again enhances the taste experience and so the user is given the illusion of having drunk a liquid with the taste the whole time.

[0045] In principle, it is of course also possible to provide dispensing only on opening or only on closing. Similarly, it is not essential for two different liquid reservoirs 21, 22 to be provided.

[0046] In FIG. 2, an alternative embodiment of a bottle cap 100 according to the invention is illustrated. This differs from the bottle cap 1 shown in FIG. 1 substantially by the fact that the stopper is not used for activating the dispensing device. For this purpose, a lever 135 is provided on the circumferential surface 132. This presses a pin 133 for activating the dispensing device in the region of the circumferential surface 132. In the simplest case, an appropriate excess pressure can be built up in the reservoir 21 by the lever 135, such that when the lever 135 or the pin 133 is activated, liquid is sprayed out of the small openings 11. Likewise, however, it is possible to provide a micropump here, which causes a pressure increase in the reservoir 21 as a result of the pulse triggered by the lever 135 or the pin 133, so that part of the liquid is dispensed via the small openings 11. A direct dispensing via the pump without a pressure increase in the reservoir 21 is also feasible.

[0047] In FIG. 3, a further embodiment of the bottle cap 200 according to the invention is illustrated. This has a flip closure 230. On the flip closure 230 a pin 233 is in turn provided, which interacts with a stop 231, which is provided on the circumferential surface 232, when the flip closure 230 is opened. This stop can, for example, activate a pump, which causes a dispensing of a small quantity of the liquid provided in the reservoir via the small openings 11.

[0048] In principle, various devices that are achievable in a known manner for the person skilled in the art may be considered for dispensing the liquid from the reservoir. Whether active pumping is provided by means of a mechanical or electric pump or by applying an external pressure depends in each case on the desired embodiment.

[0049] Essential to the invention, however, is the finding that the dispensing of a small portion of a liquid before and/or after drinking makes it appear to the user as if he were drinking a liquid other than water.

[0050] Thus, using the bottle cap according to the invention, the calorie intake during drinking can be reduced without significantly affecting the taste experience.