EP3655341A1 - Drinking device - Google Patents

Abstract

A drinking device for the retronasal absorption of an aroma substance comprises a reservoir (12) for drinking liquid, at least one air-permeable aroma container (20) and a from the reservoir (12) to a mouth end (28) of the drinking device (10) extending transport channel (18) for drinking liquid, and an air channel (22) for transporting aromatized air, which extends from at least one of the at least one flavor container (20) to the transport channel (18) for drinking liquid or to the mouth end (28).

Description

 drinking device

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a drinking device for retronasal absorption of an aroma substance. State of the art

There is an increasing need to absorb drinking liquids, which on the one hand have a pleasant flavor, but on the other hand to avoid health risks caused by the

Absorption of aroma substances or stabilizing agents dissolved in the drinking liquid

can be caused. In addition, the intake of an increased amount of calories should be avoided.

Therefore, water provided with a weak fruit flavor has become popular in recent years. However, undesirable additives such as stabilizing substances and a certain amount of sugar are also found in this flavored water, which is why these flavored drinks also have a calorie amount which is rejected by many users.

A first step in solving the problem is to add the flavor flavor just before consuming a beverage. US 2008/028353 A1, US 2015/030726 A1 and US Pat. No. 8,662,2904 are examples of metering systems in which an initially separately provided flavor substance is supplied to the drinking fluid and dissolved in it immediately before the beverage is consumed or else during this. Although this measure can avoid problems such as the stabilization of the drinking liquid over a prolonged period of time, the problem of the unwanted ingestion of additives remains.

Since the olfactory sensory impression constitutes an essential part of the gustatory perception in the consumption of food and drinks, previous systems attempt to influence the odor perceived during drinking. For this purpose, an aroma element is proposed in US 5,635,229, which can be attached to a drinking container near the drinking opening, so that the aroma element is in close proximity to the nose of the user who breathes while drinking through the nose and thus absorbs the fragrance.

Also, the drinking vessel according to US 8,662,339 B2 works on this principle that during drinking a flavor is inhaled through the nose. Presentation of the invention

The invention is based on the object to propose a drinking device that allows the user an improved taste experience.

This object is achieved by a drinking device with the feature of claim 1. Preferred embodiments follow from the remaining claims as well as the following description.

The drinking device according to the invention for the retronasal absorption of an aroma substance comprises a reservoir for drinking liquid, at least one aroma container through which air can flow, a transport channel extending from the reservoir to a mouth end of the drinking device

Drinking liquid and an air channel for transporting aromatized air, which extends from at least one of the at least one aroma container either to the transport channel for drinking liquid or mouth end.

The essential aspect of the drinking device according to the invention is that the

Aroma substance is taken up retronasal. The aroma substance passes together with the drink in the mouth of the user when drinking and then rises retronasally through the pharynx to the olfactory mucosa (regio olfactoria), where it is detected by the receptors located there and perceived by the user. The device according to the invention is equally suitable for cold or hot drinking liquid.

It makes use of the fact that there is a close connection between the sense of smell and the sense of taste. The user therefore gets the impression that he tastes the aroma, although he actually smells it just retronasal.

The sense of taste of a human being is significantly influenced by the retronasal sense of smell. The receptors of the tongue can only distinguish between sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami, whereas the differentiated sense of taste arises from the fact that the gaseous phase of

Rises food and liquids in the pharynx via the retronasal route and the

Smelling mucous membrane reached. The sensors located there trigger neurological stimuli that create a taste sensation in the brain. A person who is thus supplied with an aroma into the pharynx while drinking, gets the impression that the drink is flavored, since the retronasal smell in the brain creates the sensation as if the drink is the source of the aroma, although the user is a pure, ie non-aromatized , pure liquid, like water. When odor absorption by inhalation through the nose, the so-called orthonasal absorption of an aroma substance, this impression does not arise to the same extent, since the sensory impression of the Respiratory rate is coupled and the user thus gets the correct impression that he is the

Smell substance only smells, but does not taste like in the retronasal intake.

The preferably refillable designed reservoir can be pure water or with

Carbonated water record while the aroma substance is transferred to the air located in the transport channel and the drinking liquid supplied to the receiving immediately before the user or is transported separately into the throat of the user.

Alternatively, the drink can also have a taste of their own. The existing one

Taste of the drinking liquid is either enhanced by the aroma substance from the aroma container or supplemented by one or more additional flavor components. If, for example, apple juice is present in the storage container, then apple aroma can be used to reinforce the

Taste experience are supplied, or, for example, orange flavor are supplied to produce a flavor mixture. In this way, for example, alcoholic beverages such as beer, provided with additional flavor substances, which can be addressed to the specific preferences of a user by a corresponding aroma container in the

Drinking device according to the invention is used. Moreover, in the here disclosed

Drinking also non-standard flavors are used in the food industry, such as the known from the Raumbeduftung "sandalwood" or "spring meadow" or "unicorn". The aroma used can be artificial or natural. It is possible to use flavors isolated or fortified from an artificial or natural source, as well as natural substances such as fresh or processed products from, for example, lemon peel, dandelion leaves, licorice or other aroma-containing substances.

According to the invention, a plurality of aroma containers can also be provided. This can be a substitute aroma container, which can be used as soon as the aroma container in use is exhausted. However, it is alternatively or additionally also possible to use a plurality of aroma containers which are used at the same time in order to be able to produce any flavor mixtures from various basic flavors.

According to the invention, the transport channel for drinking liquid extends to the mouth end, while the air channel either opens into the transport channel for drinking liquid in the immediate vicinity of the mouth end, or else runs separately to the transport channel for drinking liquid to the mouth end.

The advantage of the solution, according to which the air duct in the immediate vicinity of the mouth end in the

Transport channel for drinking liquid opens, is that no misuse is possible. When taking the drink, the aroma substance is automatically included. The disadvantage of this solution, however, is that there are air bubbles in the drink. The drink is therefore associated with increased noise, similar to drinking from a straw through which both liquid and air is sucked. Furthermore, the user no longer has the desired impression of drinking pure liquid such as water. Finally, there is a further disadvantage in that the contact between the drinking liquid and the flavored air for a prolonged period of time, during which a substance transfer of the aroma substance from the air into the surrounding drinking liquid takes place. The drinking liquid is therefore "contaminated" regardless of the harmlessness of the aroma substance in the perception of the user. Therefore, those solutions are preferred in which the air duct runs separately to the transport channel for drinking liquid to the mouth end.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mouth end is designed so that the

Transport channel for drinking liquid and the air channel for the transport of flavored air on

Mouth end separated from each other and extend substantially equally long in the longitudinal direction. The term "longitudinal direction" is to be understood as meaning the direction in the longitudinal extent of the transport channel for drinking liquid and of the air channel for transporting aromatized air at the mouth end. In other words, when drinking, the transport channel for drinking liquid and the air channel extend substantially equally far into the oral cavity of the user.

In this technical solution, the flavored air and the drinking liquid are sucked separately from the drinking device. The flavored air does not first have to escape from the surrounding drinking liquid in the form of air bubbles, but can ascend into the olfactory mucosa through the pharynx immediately after entry into the oral cavity. Another advantage of a separate supply of the flavored air and the drinking liquid in the oral cavity is that even less mass transfer between the air and the drinking liquid can take place. This has two reasons. The first reason is that the aromatized air is not contained in the form of small bubbles in the drinking liquid and thus a significantly lower total surface for the mass transfer between the liquid phase and the gaseous phase is available. The second reason is that the user is significantly less and actually one

negligible amount of flavored air together with the drinking liquid swallows, since the flavored air is already present as a separate phase and no previous separation is required. Finally, this technical solution also has the advantage that the user has the feeling of receiving a clear drinking liquid, but not one, albeit only to a small extent, of gasified drinking liquid. The user learns that he is consuming pure fluid, such as water.

A variant of the solution according to the invention is that the mouth end is designed so that when using the drinking device, the transport channel for drinking liquid and the air duct for transporting aromatized air extend to different distances in the mouth of the user. Naturally, two different possibilities are conceivable. On the one hand, the air channel for transporting aromatized air can extend further into the mouth of the user than the transport channel for drinking fluid, or the transport channel for drinking fluid extends further into the oral cavity of the user. Both solutions have in common that the flavored air and the drinking liquid are sucked separately from the device. Both variants also have in common that the mass transfer between the flavored air and the drinking liquid is kept as low as possible. This advantage can be achieved in the same way, however, if the transport channel for drinking liquid and the air duct for the transport of aromatized air extend equally far into the oral cavity of the user, but both are designed so that when used properly in the mouth of the user protrude. An extension too far into the oral cavity is, however, perceived by the user as unpleasant.

The technical challenge of all the solutions described above is to match the geometries of the transport channel for drinking liquid and the air duct to each other so that depending on the drinking position and for special drinking liquids and the viscosity of the drinking liquid, the flavored air and the drinking liquid in the desired quantity ratio sucked each other become.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drinking device further comprises a throttle device and / or sealing device for the transport channel for drinking liquid and / or the air channel for transporting aromatized air, wherein the sealing device is preferably provided in a mouthpiece mouthpiece and the mouthpiece of a sealing Position is movable to a non-sealing position.

A throttle device may alternatively be provided to a sealing device, but preferably in addition to a sealing device. A throttle device makes it possible to adjust the ratio between the drinking liquid and the flavored air, whereby, for example, the degree of aromatization, or the flow rate of drinking liquid can be adjusted. A simple embodiment of a throttle device, which can be actuated but until complete sealing, is a squeezing device, by means of which a flexible portion of the transport channel or air duct can be reduced or completely clamped with respect to its inner cross section.

A preferred alternative embodiment of the sealing device is the provision of a pull-cock which is preferably located on the mouthpiece and is withdrawn by the user to open the flow. After drinking, the suction tap is pushed back towards the mouthpiece to close the air duct and the transport channel. Another preferred alternative of the drinking device according to the invention comprises a rotary plug, which is opened or closed by the user by turning. The use of rotary plugs is well known in the chemical arts, as a rotary plug is a simple but very tight fitting component. In addition, a rotary plug can also be adjusted continuously, so that a

Rotary plug combines the functionalities of a throttle device and a shut-off in it.

A further preferred alternative of the device according to the invention comprises a slide valve, which is provided according to a preferred variant in a lid of the drinking device and at the same time may include the mouthpiece. The advantage of such a slide valve is that it is immediately apparent whether the valve is in the open or closed state.

A preferred alternative embodiment of the device is the provision of a rotary lid, which is either placed or screwed on and thereby seals the drinking device. A rotating lid is well suited to tightly seal the drinking device even when an increased pressure builds up inside the reservoir, as may occur when the drink is a carbonated drink. Such a lid can both the transport channel for

Drinking liquid as well as the air duct for flavored air, but in the same way also another air line for supplying air into the interior of the reservoir for the purpose of pressure equalization seal tightly. Another advantage of a rotary lid is that it protects the mouthpiece from soiling and is an element familiar to any user and is trusted to be suitable for sealing the drinking device.

A preferred alternative embodiment of the device is the provision of a sports valve, as is known for drinking bottles, for example, when riding a bicycle. Accordingly, the function of a sports valve is known, so that the user intuitively pulls the valve to drink and pushes back to its original position after drinking.

However, the embodiment according to which the mouthpiece of the drinking device is at the same time a shut-off device by means of which all transport paths running in the direction of the mouthpiece can be sealed tight is particularly preferred. In this case, the mouthpiece according to a preferred variant of the invention is designed so that it can be moved via a translational movement of the sealing position in the non-sealing position. The mouthpiece can be designed so that both the transport channel for drinking liquid and the air duct, but also the air line can be sealed and opened for the inflow of air into the interior of the reservoir. The user therefore only has to bring the mouthpiece into an operating position, whereby the user unnoticed the sealing device is actuated. In this way, the number of components can be kept low, which among other things a more hygienic design and cost savings in the context of production and assembly of the hydration system is possible. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one aroma container can be removed and used with the aid of a simple movement sequence in the drinking device according to the invention. In this case, according to a preferred variant, a bayonet closure can be used. A bayonet closure has the advantage that after insertion the correct orientation of the

Aroma container is ensured in the drinking device. According to a further preferred variant, a spring element can additionally be provided which allows the aroma container to emerge from its receptacle as soon as the aroma container has not been used properly. In addition, with the help of different locking positions, it is possible to preselect between various settings of the aroma intensity.

Preferably, one of the at least one flavor container comprises a sealing device, wherein the aroma container is movable from a sealing position to a non-sealing position. An aroma container of substantially circular cross-section may be used in the same manner as the rotary plug described above by rotating the aroma container about its axis of symmetry to bring the drinking liquid transport channel into alignment with the channel through the aroma container. The advantage of this solution is that no additional component is required.

Alternatively, however, it is equally possible to move the aroma container from a sealing position to a non-sealing position by displacing the aroma container in an axial direction. For example, an aroma container of any prismatic or annular geometry could be pushed in the axial direction to place the aroma container in a non-sealing position. The aroma container can lock in this position, i. automatically stay in this position, or a drink with aroma supply is only possible if the aroma container is kept pressed. In this way, a user could additionally choose between drinking liquid with and without flavored air.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of the at least one aroma container may comprise a plurality of chambers containing aroma substances of different odor intensity and / or different odor qualities. After another alternative the

Drinking device according to the invention may be provided a plurality of aroma containers. In other words, one or more aroma containers may be provided and this aroma container or any number of the plurality of aroma containers may additionally comprise a plurality of chambers. In this way, any variants can be realized. When providing a single flavor container this may contain different flavors, so that depending on the direction of insertion or even during the drinking by the user changeable orientation of the aroma container a

different flavor is supplied. In addition, when providing a single Aroma container the type of flavor but also the flavor strength can be varied. For example, one aroma container could have two, three, or more different flavor intensities one and the same

Flavorant contained, or contain a single flavor container two different flavors, but which are each provided in two different stages, so that the aroma container would have four separate chambers.

When providing several aroma containers can be on the variation of different

Aroma directions, flavoring, or by the addition of one and the same aroma direction produce any Aromamischungen that can be individually assembled by a user.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, one of the at least one aroma container is located in a mouthpiece of the drinking device, wherein the mouthpiece is preferably exchangeable. This solution has the advantage that the hygiene of the drinking device is improved because the mouthpiece is replaced with the aroma container and thus after the exhaustion of the

Aroma container a new mouthpiece is attached to the drinking device. However, in this solution, it should be noted that a tight seal between the mouthpiece and the

Reservoir for drinking liquid is to be respected.

The provision of the aroma container integrated either in the mouthpiece or on a lid of the reservoir has the advantage that the user can recognize the "flavor" directly. For example, the mouthpiece could be colored according to the flavor selected and, for example, a yellow color for a lemon flavor or a green color for a

Have green apple flavor.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reservoir for drinking liquid is provided with a lid. If the lid is removed, so is the user both

Filling opening for drinking liquid, as well as a receiving opening for a flavor container or more aroma container accessible. After placing the lid can then be varied by rotating the lid between different aroma directions. The advantage of this solution is also that no separate locking of the aroma container in the

Drinking device according to the invention is required because the aroma container is automatically fixed after placing the lid in the inserted state. This solution is also the

Seal the aroma container easier.

According to a preferred variant, a hint tab is provided on the aroma container, which protrudes after placing the lid to the outside of the drinking vessel and a user on the inserted Aroma direction informed. The tab can be conveniently gripped to remove the aroma container.

According to an alternative, preferred embodiment of the invention, the aroma container is designed as a ring which is located near the mouth end of the drinking device. There may be a single chamber in the ring. In the annular aroma container, a plurality of chambers with different flavors may be provided, which are preferably characterized by an additional marking and / or coloring for the user. In this way, the user can intuitively change the aroma via the operation of the aroma ring, which can also be done while drinking. Thus, the use of a flavor container in the form of a ring offers many options that can be used in a user-friendly way.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drinking device according to the invention further comprises a pull valve as a pressure equalizing valve, which closes an air supply line, which leads into the interior of the reservoir for drinking liquid. Builds by drinking, i. the

Removal of drinking liquid, a negative pressure in the reservoir, so the valve opens and allows air to enter the reservoir for drinking liquid. Once the pressure equalization has been established, the pressure valve closes automatically by its residual stress, so that no drinking liquid can escape. This variant is particularly advantageous in those cases in which the shut-off device only the transport channel for drinking liquid and the air duct for

Transport of aromatized air closes, but not the air duct for pressure equalization. An exemplary, such variant is the provision of a mouthpiece, which can be pivoted from a sealing position to an operating position, while the air line for pressure equalization is located at another point of the container.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the drinking device further comprises a head part, which comprises the mouth end and is movably arranged relative to the reservoir, wherein the head part of a transport channel for the drinking liquid and / or the air duct sealing position in a non-sealing position is movable.

In the simplest case, the head part of the drinking device rotatably on the reservoir for

Be attached drinking liquid. In this case, the geometry of the head part relative to the reservoir can be chosen so that when turning the head part, when the head part is placed in the drinking position, obliquely, so that on the one hand for the user ergonomically convenient drinking is possible and the other for the user is clear that the drinking device is in the ready state and improper handling, the drinking liquid can leak. In this way, a drinking device can be designed with a futuristic-looking design language that underlines the claim to a new and innovative drinking device. The drinking device according to the invention can be configured in many different ways. It can be a mobile water bottle, either single-walled or double-walled

Thermos is executed. In the same way, but also an open drinking vessel, similar to a cup, be provided, however, to ensure the correct drinking, so that when drinking both the drinking liquid as well as the aroma to be dosed in the pharynx is performed. In this technical solution, the aroma container could be a ring which surrounds the reservoir for drinking liquid and from which the aroma is either metered into the transport channel for drinking liquid, or else is supplied to the user in an air duct running separately on the container rim of the drinking cup.

Alternatively, the cup can also be closed at the top and used as a so-called shot glass. This variant can be used to taste-modifying drinking liquids such as spirits, liqueurs or even caffeinated or -free drinks with certain flavorings, or to enhance an existing taste or to mask possibly unwanted sensory perceptions.

Another alternative design is the functionalities of the

Drinking device according to the invention to be integrated in a straw, which includes the mouth end and the end opposite the mouth end is in the reservoir for drinking liquid. The straw is in this case at the same time from the reservoir to the mouth end of the

Drinking device extending transport channel for the drinking device. The aroma container may be provided in the form of a straw surrounding the ring and thereby be above the level for drinking liquid, so that when using the straw air is sucked into the aroma container and guided either via a parallel to the transport channel for drinking liquid extending air channel to the mouth end is, or opens into the transport channel for drinking liquid, so that the supplied aroma is metered in the form of air bubbles of the drinking liquid.

All the above-mentioned ideas and variants have in common that the aroma substance is passed over the mouth end into the mouth and pharynx of the user and the taste impression takes place via the retronasal absorption of the aroma substance. Apart from a small extent unavoidable absorption of the aroma substance in the pure drinking liquid, or even an incomplete separation of air bubbles with flavor substance from the drinking liquid is taken by the user pure drinking liquid.

A preferred embodiment of the invention for optimizing or simplifying the

Drinking device provides that the head part of the drinking device is divisible, dismountable or hinged. In this case, the head part consist of one, two or more parts, the use of the device must be joined together. It is possible, for example, a substantially axisymmetric division of the head part, so that in non-assembled position, the channels of the drinking device completely or partially exposed. This offers several advantages. First of all, this makes it easier to clean the drinking device, since in this way the partially narrow channels of the device can be easily reached by cleaning liquid and the cleaning liquid is not retained by capillary forces that may occur. In addition, the possibility is given by a divisible solution of the head part of the drinking device, the aroma reservoir of the

Drinking device to integrate into the interior of the headboard. In previous systems, the aroma reservoir can only be attached from the outside, so that it remains visible in use. Previous systems also require a separate attachment mechanism for the flavor reservoirs, which can be eliminated by a divisible solution.

In each case, the head part is that part of the drinking device in which the essential technology and / or the aroma reservoir of the drinking device is / are arranged. Conveniently, it is mounted on the head of the drinking device, but may also be located at another location of the drinking device or integrated into the drinking device.

By way of example, a simplified sealing of the system can be made possible by using a substantially elastic material, such as silicone or other elastomers, for producing the divisible or non-divisible head part or parts of the head part of the drinking device. In addition, a used divisibility of the header allows an increased number of

Connections of the head part with the reservoir for liquid of the drinking device.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention is that the channels have a special shape. It is possible, for example, on the one hand, that the channel for the liquid at one, two or more locations is extended or tapered, so the diameter of the channels is larger or smaller than at the other locations. A rejuvenation or enlargement can be carried out, for example, in or on the mouthpiece of the drinking device. This allows a changed mouthfeel of the user when drinking from the drinking device. The drinking sensation is a problem in the previous solutions because the consumer is not used to drinking liquid together with air bubbles. By expanding or rejuvenating at one or more locations in the liquid-conducting channel, the pressure conditions change there, so that the size and / or shape of the air bubbles in the liquid change. This improves the drinking pleasure of the user.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention is a change in the geometry of the

Liquid channel at the point of the mouth of the air channel of the drinking device. This can have several advantages. For example, can be used via a taper of the liquid channel at the entry point of the air duct Venturi effect. By the rejuvenation at the Entry point there is the dynamic pressure (dynamic pressure) maximum and the static pressure minimal. The speed of the liquid increases in proportion to the cross sections as it flows through the constricted part, since the amount of liquid does not change. At the same time, the pressure in the air duct, which is preferably attached to the narrowest point, decreases. This creates a pressure difference that increases the absorption of the flavored air in the liquid of the drinking device. As a result, the user, for example, must be less strongly sucked on the drinking device, which improves the drinking or constructive advantages.

A further preferred change in the geometry of the channels in the drinking device comprises different surfaces of the channel inside or obstacles that change the flow conditions in the liquid-carrying channels. Among other things cavitation can occur. By cavitation or mechanical comminution of the air bubbles, a changed air bubble size and / or bubble geometry can be achieved. This also improves the feeling of drinking by the user. The change in the size of the air bubbles can also be achieved, for example, by the use of a substantially sieve-like geometry or a membrane.

Also, the air channel of the drinking device may have a special shape. Previous solutions use a consistently similar shaped channel. The air duct must be small

Have diameter, so that problems arise on the one hand in the production of the head part of the drinking device. On the other hand, a narrow channel makes it difficult to clean the drinking device. The solution according to the invention therefore provides, for example, that the air duct is essentially only tapered at a short point. This makes a simplified producibility and an easier cleaning possible.

A further preferred embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention provides that the aroma unit of the drinking device according to the invention must be activated before use. The aroma may initially be encapsulated micro- or macroscopically. The activation can be done for example by a change in temperature or a mechanical process. A preferred embodiment provides an air-permeable filter in which a substantially circular flavor unit is placed, the interior of which contains substantially a fluid comprising an aromatizing substance. The shell of the aroma unit is preferably made of a material such as gelatin or agarose, so that in the inactive state, a sealed shell holds the fluid with the flavored substance in the non-volatile state. By activating, for example by destroying the shell under pressure, the fluid is released into the surrounding filter. Such solutions are proposed, for example, in US 20040261807 AI for use in cigarettes. According to the invention, this technology according to a preferred embodiment in the inventive

Drinking device can be used. This results in several advantages. For example, you can As a result, the flavor substances are protected from oxidative processes and can generally

Saves packaging material and plastic seals are avoided.

A further preferred embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention provides that the air duct comprises a specially shaped chamber. This solves the problem that occurring at the termination of the drinking process at the drinking device fluctuations in pressure and

Flow conditions in the transport channel for drinking liquid cause it to come in the presence of drinking liquid in the air duct and / or the aroma container. This ingress of liquid, for example, in the aroma container lead to the fragrance-emitting substance is diluted undesirably or it comes to hygienic problems. The interruption of the air duct through a chamber can be carried out to the effect that a recess in the head part of the drinking device is provided at the contact point of the removable transport channel for drinking liquid and the air channel. In a preferred embodiment, the air channel coming from the aroma container opens into the chamber at a substantially upper position. On the substantially opposite side of the air duct is continued at a substantially lower position of the chamber. Through the chamber, a return of the drinking liquid is prevented in the aroma reservoir. Due to the substantially opposite position of the continuation of the air duct, the chamber is ideally used. Due to the different high positions of the inlet and the outlet opening of the air channel in and out of the chamber, a drainage of drinking liquid back into the drinking device is made possible, among other things. The possible arrangement of the chamber at the contact point between the head and transport channel for drinking liquid allows easier cleaning after disassembly of the two components.

Allen preferred embodiments and combinations of the technical features in

The above and the following have in common that an average air flow through the air duct during normal drinking from the drinking device according to the invention is expediently between about 250 and 550 ml / min. This air flow is achieved, for example, when using an air duct with a diameter of about 0.5 to 2.5 mm or a non-circular cross section at a

Cross-sectional area of the air channel between 0.2 mrn ^ and 4.9 rnrn ^. In another way, the air flow can be adjusted, such as by a substantially short taper of the air duct, a valve, which can also be designed as a check valve to the entry of

To prevent liquid in the air duct and / or the aroma container, or by the use of a membrane. A substantially permeable membrane can be mounted, for example, at the mouth of the air channel in the transport channel for drinking liquid. As a result, not only is the air flow adjusted to an appropriate level, but also the air bubbles entering the fluid stream are adjusted to a desired size, resulting in a more pleasant drinking experience for the drinker. Another advantage of using a membrane at this point is that the above-described variations in the pressure and Flow conditions at the end of the drinking process do not cause that at this or another moment drinking liquid enters the air duct and / or the aroma container or the amount is reduced.

Another problem with the drinking device according to the invention lies in the whole

Seal drinking device for transport. It should be noted that not only the drinking opening and a pressure equalization channel must be sealed, but also the air duct of the

Drinking device to prevent the ingress of drinking liquid into the aroma container. It would be desirable for the user of the drinking devices to be able to close all three openings in only one operation. A further preferred embodiment therefore provides that the

Drinking device is sealed with a lid that simultaneously closes all three openings. This may preferably be made possible by inserting into at least one of the three openings (one each) a pin / mandrel and sealing off any remaining openings by conventional systems. For example, while a spike / pin far into the transport channel for

Drinking liquid are introduced, that thereby also the confluence of the air channel in the

Transport channel is sealed for drinking liquid, so that penetration of drinking liquid in the air channel and / or the aroma container is prevented. A further preferred embodiment, which solves the problem of sealing the aroma reservoir described at the beginning of this section, provides that the aroma reservoir is, for example, substantially annular and that the fluid connection between the, for example, removable aroma container and the air channel by a movement such as the turning over of the aroma container, is separated. For this purpose, the air outlet opening must, for example, be arranged off-center on the aroma container so that a flavor container attached to the reverse side closes the aroma container side end of the air channel.

The invention will be described purely by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic figures, in which

Fig. 1 shows schematically a first possibility of the mouthpiece technique of an inventive

 Drinking device for retronasal intake of a flavor substance shows;

Fig. 2 shows an alternative mouthpiece technique of a drinking device according to the invention for

 showing retronasal uptake of an aroma substance;

Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b

 the use of a pivotable mouthpiece in the inventive

Show drinking device; Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b

 illustrate a cross-sectional view showing a pressure compensating valve in the open and in the closed state;

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a spool valve;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view through the drinking device according to the invention with a the

 Drinking device tightly closing revolving lid shows;

Fig. 7 shows schematically a drinking device according to the invention with a as a pull

 designed seal shows;

Fig. 8 schematically illustrates the use of a rotary plug by a user;

Fig. 9 shows schematically the function of an integrated valve in separately running

 Transport channel for drinking liquid and air channel for transporting aromatized air shows;

Fig. 10 shows schematically the function of an integrated valve when running in series

 Transport channel for drinking liquid and air channel for transporting aromatized air shows;

Fig. Ia and Fig. Ib

 represent the sealing of the transport channel for drinking liquid and the air channel for transporting aromatized air by means of the position of the aroma container schematically;

Fig. 12a, Fig. 12b, Fig. 12c and Fig. 12d

 schematically represent plan views of the reservoir of the drinking device according to the invention, on each of which a head part is placed and in which different arrangements for the filling opening for drinking liquid and the inclusion of one or more aroma containers are shown; schematically illustrates a way to identify the aroma container used;

Fig. 14a and Fig. 14b show a detail view and an exploded view of a flavoring device integrated in the drinking device: schematically shows the use of a flavoring container for the individual composition of a single flavored total aroma shows; schematically illustrates an aroma container, which is suitable for insertion into a correspondingly shaped bayonet mount;

17 schematically shows the insertion of the aroma container shown in FIG. 16 into a

 Drinking device according to the invention explained;

Fig. 18a and Fig. 18b

 represent a single aroma mouthpiece and a flavor mouthpiece on a drinking device according to the invention;

19 is a schematic sectional view of an attachable to a drinking device

 Represents aroma mouthpiece;

Fig. 20a and Fig. 20b

 the arrangement of a flavor container on the head part of a drinking device according to the invention and the use of the head part represent;

Fig. 21 is a schematic sectional view through a drinking device according to the invention under

 Using a flavoring ring shows;

FIG. 22 is a schematic plan view of a drinking device according to the invention with a flavor ring divided into individual segments; FIG.

Fig. 23a, Fig. 23b and Fig. 23c

 an embodiment of a designed as an open drinking vessel drinking device according to the invention, wherein Fig. 23 a is a schematic external view; Fig. 23b shows schematically the use of the drinking device according to Fig. 23a and Fig. 23c shows the detail marked A in Fig. 23b enlarged;

FIG. 24a schematically illustrates a drinking device according to the invention combined as a bottle cap with a conventional drinking bottle; FIG. Fig. 24b shows the bottle cap schematically in an enlarged view;

25a and 25b

 show a drinking device according to the invention using a straw and a sectional view through the straw to illustrate the principle of action;

26a and 26b

 represent a mouthpiece for a drinking device according to the invention, which allows the bottles to fall;

27a and 27b

 show schematically changes according to the invention of the geometry of the liquid channel in the head part;

28a and Fig. 28b

 schematically and exemplarily show a change in the geometry of the liquid channel according to the invention;

Fig. 29 schematically shows a preferred embodiment of the air duct;

30a and 30b

 show a preferred embodiment, which schematically and exemplarily includes a divisible head part;

Figure 31 shows a preferred embodiment of the divisible head portion with internal aroma reservoir;

Fig. 32a, Fig. 32b and Fig. 32c

 show various preferred embodiments of the head portion of the drinking device, which have changed at the confluence parts of the scent channel in the liquid channel changed geometries; and

Fig. 33a and Fig. 33b

 schematically show a preferred embodiment of the head part of the drinking device, which includes a device which prevents the entry of liquid into the air duct.

Description of preferred embodiments In the following embodiments, the same components are used with the same

Reference numbers.

In Fig. 1, a drinking device 10 is shown schematically, which consists in the following embodiment of a filled with pure drinking liquid reservoir 12 and a head part 14. Under pure drinking liquid is always understood that drinking liquid that does not contain added by the inventive hydration system flavor. The head part 14 has a mouthpiece 16, which is integrated in the present case in the head part, but, as shown by different

Embodiments will be explained later, may also be provided separately. In the head part 14 is a flavor tank 20, which is in a manner not shown in flow communication with the ambient air and from which leads away an air duct 22 for transporting aromatized air. Furthermore, a transport channel 18 is provided for drinking liquid, which is in the present

Embodiment comparable to a straw in the existing in the reservoir 12 pure liquid extends.

In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the transport channel 18 for drinking liquid and the air channel 22 for transporting aromatized air are connected in series, i. the air duct 22 opens into the

Transport channel for drinking liquid, in which consequently in the section 18 a both the sucked by the user via the mouthpiece 16 is pure liquid, as well as air bubbles with flavored air.

When using the drinking device 10 according to the invention, both the pure liquid and the aromatized air are taken orally. In the mouth, the liquid phase and gas phase segregated and the gaseous flavored air passes through the retronasal path 24 in the direction of arrow A to the olfactory mucosa 26, where the aroma is detected by the located in the olfactory mucosa receptors and on the neuronal processing of sensory stimuli to the user creates the impression as if the pure liquid that the user drinks (arrow B) has the flavor added by the flavor.

In the solution shown in Fig. 1, it is important that the flavored air opens as directly as possible on the mouthpiece 16 in the transport channel 18 for drinking liquid, so that there is only the shortest possible contact between the flavored air and the pure liquid during drinking. In this way, an undesirable mass transfer of aroma substance between the air and the pure liquid is minimized, but absorption of the aroma in the liquid can not be 100% excluded. The shorter the contact time between the air and the liquid, but also the lower the total interface between air and liquid, the lower the unwanted mass transfer. In order to keep the undesirable mass transfer as low as possible, the arrangement according to FIG. 2 has proved to be advantageous. Here, the transport channel 18 for drinking liquid and the air channel 22 for transporting aromatized air are arranged parallel to each other, ie there is no mixing before the mouth end 28 instead. The other components as well as the operating principle completely correspond to those according to the embodiment shown schematically in Fig. 1.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 is additionally shown that at

intended use the mouth end extends a little way into the mouth of the user. In the illustration according to FIG. 2, however, the extension has been shown exaggeratedly for clarity. The advantage of extending the mouth end 28 into the oral cavity is that the least possible mixing takes place between the flavored air and the pure liquid. In the same way, it is of course also possible for the mouth end 28 to be in the area of the lips of the user when used as intended.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the air channel 22 for transporting aromatized air and the transport channel 18 for drinking liquid extend equally far into the oral cavity of the user, i. the transport channel 18 and the air channel 22 both end at the same location at the mouth end 28. In the parallel arrangement of the transport channel 18 and the air duct 22 but this need not necessarily be the case and one of the two channels can be less in the

The user's oral cavity extends than the other. Accordingly, two variants are conceivable.

According to the first variant, the air duct 22 extends further into the oral cavity as the

Transport channel 18 for the drinking liquid. In this variant, not shown, the user has the feeling of receiving the drinking liquid directly through the mouthpiece of the bottle to the lips. However, the flavored air is led a little way into the oral cavity and thus only in contact with the pure liquid for a very short time, so that a mass transfer between the aromatized air and the pure liquid can be virtually ruled out. In addition, the

Geometry and the length of each channel also be technically conditioned to during the

Drinking process to achieve the most uniform possible aspiration of pure liquid and flavored air.

As an alternative to the variant described above, in the same way, however, only the transport channel 18 for drinking fluid can extend further into the oral cavity of the user, while the air channel 22 terminates in the area of the lips of the user for transporting aromatized air, when drinking from the drinking device according to the invention , This measure also serves to keep the contact time between the flavored air and the drinking liquid as low as possible and has the advantage that the aroma can already unfold in the pharynx of the user. In order to use the drinking device according to the invention in a meaningful way, must

be ensured that, on the one hand, the aroma does not leak in an undesirable manner during storage of the drinking device, but can also leak a already filled with pure liquid drinking device. In addition, the drinking device must still have an air channel between the interior of the reservoir for drinking liquid and the outside atmosphere, which serves to equalize the pressure and according to the volume taken from the drinking device when drinking

Drinking liquid introduces a corresponding volume of air in the drinking device. Also, this air duct should be provided with a suitable shut-off device, so that no drinking liquid can escape undesirable.

3 a and 3b an embodiment is shown in which the mouthpiece is pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation 30 to the drinking device 10 and in the direction of arrow C between the drinking position shown in Fig. 3a and the sealed position shown in Fig. 3b is movable back and forth. For this purpose, the mouthpiece is provided with a continuation 18b of the transport channel 18 for drinking liquid and a continuation 22b of the air channel 22 for transporting aromatized air, which are aligned only in the drinking position shown in Fig. 3a with the channels 18 and 22, so that the user drinking liquid and flavored air through the mouthpiece 16 can suck. In the closed state, as shown in Fig. 3b, a positive connection between the drinking device 10 and the mouthpiece 16 takes place, creating a high-quality aesthetic impression.

In contrast to the embodiment shown schematically in FIG. 3b, it is also possible to modify the mouthpiece 16 and the receiving geometry provided for the mouthpiece in the closed state such that in the sealing state the continuations 22b and 18b of the transport channels 22, 18 do not act towards the outside are open, so that in the phases in which the drinking device is not used, no unwanted substances can get into the mouthpiece 16 from the outside.

Figures 4a and 4b show schematically a possible embodiment of a balancing valve for the air channels 32 for the inflow of air for the purpose of pressure equalization. This is a

Check valve used.

Such a check valve may consist of an elastic member 34, which is firmly fixed on the one hand in a wall 36 of the drinking device according to the invention and on the other hand provided with an elastic sealing plate 38, which in the case of negative pressure, as shown in Fig. 4a, under the influence the increased external pressure is deformed so that in the direction of arrow D air can flow through the air passage 32 into the interior of the reservoir. Is, as shown in Fig. 4b, the pressure equalization made, the sealing plate 38 is from the inside of the container close to the wall 36 and closes the air duct 32, so that, as shown in Fig. 4b, no outside air in the direction of E in the Inside the reservoir 12 can flow and at the same time no liquid can flow through the air channel 32. If, for some reason, the pressure inside the reservoir is higher than the pressure of the outside atmosphere, the situation is the same as shown in Figure 4b and the undesirable leakage of liquid or air from inside the reservoir is prevented.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 is a variant of the solution shown in Figs. 3a and 3b using a rotatable mouthpiece. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the mouthpiece 16 in the direction of arrow F and back is displaced and is, as shown in Fig. 5, in the drinking position a short distance from the head portion 14 of the drinking device 10 before. In order to move the designed as a slide mouthpiece 16, this may be provided in a suitable manner at the top with a grip aid in the form of a corrugation (not shown). The

Embodiment of Fig. 5 is a very shapely solution, since after drinking the

Mouthpiece 16 opposite to the direction of the arrow F is moved until the mouth end 28 flush with the contact surface of the head part 14, which also indicates to the user directly whether the drinking device is in an open or closed state. Technically, the solution according to FIG. 5 can be implemented in that, in the axial direction of the drinking device, first the

Transport channels 18 and 20 extend in the direction of the mouthpiece and only in the position shown in Fig. 5 pushed out position of the mouthpiece 16 with the mouthpiece arranged continuations of the transport channels 18 and 22 are aligned. This could be achieved for example by the use of an eccentric, so that the opening and closing is made possible by a rotational movement.

6, another embodiment of the invention is shown using a rotary cover 40 which is screwed onto the reservoir 12 and the mouth end 28 with the transport channel 18 for drinking liquid and the air duct 22 for transporting aromatized air closes to the outside. In addition, the rotary cover 40 may also extend so far over the body of the reservoir 12, that at a screwed lid at the same time not shown in Fig. 6 inlet opening to the air duct for the pressure equalization is closed. The advantage of a lid is also that it protects the mouth end 28 from contamination and due to the pressure resistance of a screw for secure sealing with a

carbonated liquid 42 filled drinking device is suitable.

The variant of a locking device shown in FIG. 7 has a pull-in hook 44, which is arranged in the head part 14. When the user pulls out the pull tab in the direction of arrow G, the drinking device 10 opens for drinking. For tight sealing of the pull-cock 44 is again pressed against the direction of arrow G in the direction of the headboard. The position of the mouthpiece designed as a puller 44 makes it clear to the user that he does not have to tilt the bottle in order to drink. About a coding / marking, for example, with different colors could also the user be given a clear indication that the pull is in the pulled-out position and thus the drinking device is not sealed tight.

In Fig. 8, a further solution using a rotary plug is shown schematically. The rotary plug 46 can be used both as a sealing device and as a throttling device for throttling the guided through the transport channel 18 volume flow of drinking liquid as well as the guided through the air duct 22 volume flow of aromatized air. The rotary plug 46 shown schematically in Fig. 8 is rotatably disposed in the head portion of the drinking device and can be moved by the user in the direction of rotation H by the user operating the handwheel 50. Part of the rotary plug 46 is a rotatably guided in the housing shaft 52, in which

Through openings 48a and 48b are located, which are not aligned in the orientation shown in Fig. 8 with the transport channel 18 for drinking liquid and the transport channel 20 for aromatized air. However, if the shaft 52 is rotated by about 90 ° in the direction of arrow H with the openings 48a and 48b by an actuation of the rotary plug 46, then the openings 48a and 48b are aligned with the channels 22 and 18, so that the flow connections are opened. However, the openings 48a and 48b can be brought into a position in which only a part of the. By the operation of the rotary plug

Opening cross-section of the openings 48a and 48b are available for the flow of air and liquid. In this way, the rotary plug can also be used for throttling.

In the alternative use of a rotary plug 46 with x-shaped channels, the ratio of drinking liquid and flavored air can be varied. For this purpose, the openings 48b in the rotary plug and the x-shaped channels for the transport of drinking liquid each have the same flow cross-section, while the x-shaped channels for the transport of aromatized air have different flow cross-sections. As shown schematically in the

Detailed views shown in Fig. 8, the opening 48a and the subsequent channel have a larger flow cross-section than the opening 48c and the subsequent channel. As a result, a user on the one hand close the transport channel 18 and the air duct 22 by the choice of the rotational position of the rotary plug, on the other hand at each open transport channel 18 for the

Drinking liquid different flow cross sections for the air duct 22 set and thus restrict the amount of aromatized air.

The advantage of the rotary plug is thus that the flow can be adjusted continuously and the operation of the locking device for each user is intuitively detected.

According to a further, not shown embodiment, a sports valve may be provided, in which, similar to the embodiment of Fig. 7, the mouthpiece is displaced in an axial direction between the closed and the open position. The operation of the mouthpiece can be aromatized next to the transport channel 18 for drinking and the air duct 22 for transport Air and the air duct 32 are opened and closed simultaneously for pressure equalization. As with the sports valves known in the art and in the trade, the mouthpiece is withdrawn when the drinking device is to be placed in the drinking state and accordingly pushed back towards the reservoir when the drinking device is to be sealed. Unlike the known drinking vessels with sports valve, however, no tumbling of the drinking device when drinking is required because the drinking liquid and the flavored air are sucked in by the user.

The use of an integrated valve is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 shows the integrated valve in the case of a separate air duct 22 for transporting aromatized air and transport channel 18 for drinking liquid, while in FIG. 10 the transport channels 18 and 20 are connected in series, as was shown schematically with reference to FIG ,

Turning to Fig. 9, it is clear that the mouthpiece 16 of the drinking device in the direction of arrow J relative to the head part 14 can be pulled out and pushed back into it. In the pulled-out state shown in FIG. 9, the transport channel 18 and the air channel 22 are opened so that it is possible to drink from the drinking device. At the same time, the air channel 32 is open for pressure equalization. If now the mouthpiece 16 is moved toward the head part 14 until the mouthpiece 16 bears firmly against the head part 14, the mouth of the mouthpiece 16 closes the opening of the air channel 32 tightly with the neck 54. Due to the offset of the mouthpiece 16 relative to the head part, the flow connection from the head part to the mouthpiece is also interrupted at the point of entry of the air channel 22 into the mouthpiece 16, so that the air channel 22 is closed. Furthermore, by the

Movement in the direction of arrow K and the transport channel 18 for drinking liquid closed, so that with the aid of the integrated valve shown in FIG. 9, the transport channel 18 for drinking liquid, the air channel 22 for transporting aromatized air and the air channel 32 for pressure equalization can be opened and closed simultaneously. The shaping of the mouthpiece in the region of the mouth end shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is shown only schematically and can, of course, have any shape that is ergonomic for the user.

A locking of the mouthpiece 16 in the closed position can be realized via form-locking elements in the form of, for example, locking nipples 15a, 17a and corresponding depressions 15b and 17b, which are illustrated in FIG.

The embodiment according to FIG. 10 differs from that according to FIG. 9 only in that in the mouthpiece 16 the air channel 22 for transporting aromatized air is not guided to the mouth end 28 but opens into the transport channel 18 for drinking liquid in the area of the mouthpiece.

Otherwise, however, the embodiment according to FIG. 10 does not differ from that according to FIG. 9, so that with regard to the operating principle of the sealing device can be fully referenced to the embodiments of FIG. 9.

The embodiment of FIG. 1a and 1b integrate the sealing device into the aroma container 20. The aroma container is pressed with the aid of a finger in the direction of arrow L against the pressure force of a spring 56 to the extension 18b of the transport channel 18 for drinking liquid provided in the aroma container 20 to bring in the illustrated in Fig. 1 lb aligned connection with the sections 18a and 18c of the transport channel for drinking liquid. It is conceivable that the fluid connection through the transport channel 18 only exists as long as a user actually presses the aroma container 20 from the outside with his finger. In the same way it is also possible, comparable to the

Locking function of a ballpoint pen to provide a detent position, so that, as indicated in Fig. Ib with the double arrow L, a renewed pressing the aroma container back into the starting position shown in Fig. I Ia.

According to an alternative, not shown embodiment, it is also possible, instead of the in Fig. 1 la and 1 lb illustrated translational movement L to use the aroma container rotatable, so that this comparable to the solution shown in FIG. 8 using a rotary plug between a locked position and at least one drinking position can be rotated. At different angles of rotation could each have a different opening of the aroma container with different

Cross-sectional fluidly connected to the air duct 22. Thus, the amount of flavored air and thus the flavor intensity could be controlled. It would be conceivable, for example, the positions "off", "medium", "strong", in this example, a flavor container would be necessary with two different sized holes. In the third position in the example, the air channel 22 would be closed and thus the drinking of the liquid would be possible without air supply and without added flavor. The advantage of this solution is moreover that the aroma container is at the same time the seal and thus a smaller number of components is required.

According to a further, not shown embodiment, a shut-off device can also be configured via a squeezing device. For this purpose, a portion of the sealed channel, for example, the transport channel for drinking liquid must be provided with a flexible hose which is squeezed for example via a rotatably mounted in a groove wheel, whereby the flow connection is throttled or interrupted. The technical solution meets the hygienic requirements, because there is no direct contact between the Absperrrad and guided in the transport channel substance. Therefore, this solution is also for example in

medical field used to adjust the transport volume of infusion fluids. If the operating wheel is largely sunk in the head part of the drinking device, a low construction can be realized in this technical solution. In the embodiments shown above, only a single aroma container was provided for simplified representation, which was arranged in the head part of the container.

All embodiments have in common that the drinking device can be configured so that, for example, in the bottom of the drinking device is a further receiving geometry for at least one other aroma container, which can be exchanged for the existing aroma container as soon as the aroma container is exhausted in operation or the consumer the

Wants to change taste. In Figs. 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d, respectively

Embodiments are shown, which schematically show a plan view of the reservoir 12, which is rotatably connected via a centrally arranged rotary connection 58 with a head portion, not shown in Figs. 12a to 12d. In plan view it can be seen that each in the

Reservoirs 12 is a filling opening 60 for drinking liquid. In the embodiments according to FIGS. 12b and 12c, only a single aroma container 20 is provided, while in the embodiments according to FIGS. 12a and 12d, three aroma containers 20 are used in each case, wherein a different number of aroma containers is also possible.

The corresponding receptacles 66 for the aroma container 20 are shown in FIG. 13. As can also be seen in FIG. 13, the aroma containers 20 may be provided with a marking tab 62 which, after flush fitting of the aroma containers 20 into the corresponding receptacle 66 in FIG

Reservoir 12 allows the removal of the aroma container 20. In addition, the

Marker tabs 62 may be arranged so that they extend beyond the reservoir 12 and thus can give the user information about the flavor used.

When providing a plurality of aroma containers can be selected by rotating the in Fig. 12a to 12d and Fig. 13, not shown head portion relative to the body of the reservoir 12 between the individual flavor directions. For this purpose, the headboard is provided with corresponding markings or a latching mechanism, not shown, with the help of which a user

Flow connection of the air channel 22 can produce starting from one of the plurality of aroma container to the mouthpiece of the drinking device. In this way, the flavor can be changed even while drinking. Likewise, however, pure drinking liquid can also be consumed by the deliberate arrangement of the head part in a position in which there is no continuous connection of any of the air ducts 22.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14a and 14b, different from the

Embodiment according to FIGS. 12a to 12d and FIG. 13, a mixture between individual flavors are produced. For this purpose, a mixing device 64 is arranged between the reservoir 12 and the head portion 14 with mouthpiece 16, which comprises three different receptacles for aroma container 20 in the embodiment of FIG. 14a, each designed in the intermediate plate Mixing device 64 are used. Thus, a mixed flavor can be produced from various aroma substances, which is sucked off via the mixing ring 68 and fed via the adjoining air channel 22 in the head part 14 to the mouthpiece.

The technical solution shown in FIGS. 14a and 14b offers the advantage that a user can produce his own flavor combinations.

In Fig. 15, an alternative design is shown in which the aroma container 20 is divided into individual segments 20a, 20b and 20c and closed by means of a cover 70 upwards. A user can make a free compilation of the individual flavors that are inserted into the individual segments 20a, 20b and 20c and from which a mixture is made.

If the above description has spoken of different aromas, this term also includes individual aromas which contain the same flavor, but one

have different taste intensity.

The embodiment of FIG. 16 outlines a possibility of attachment of a flavor container 20, which is provided on the lower side with a spring 56. The peripheral wall of the substantially

circular-cylindrical flavor container 20 has, in addition to the scent hole 72 shown here, a guide 74 which is a groove which has two sections arranged at an angle to each other. The first portion 74a runs parallel to the axis of rotation of the circular cylindrical flavor container, whereas the second portion 74b connects to the first portion 74a and into

Circumferential direction extends to an end surface 74c. A possible associated storage container 12 is shown in Fig. 17 and has similarities to the geometry shown in Fig. 12c with a substantially in the form of a semicircular segment shaped filling opening 60 and a receptacle 66 for the aroma container shown in Fig. 16, wherein the peripheral wall of the receiving space 66 is a projection 76 which is arranged and designed to be moved when inserted within the guide 74. However, the storage container according to FIG. 17 could also be designed such that no bayonet connection between the receiving space 66 and the aroma container 20 is required, since the aroma container is fixed by the placement of a head portion shown in FIG. 17.

When inserting the aroma container this is thus used in the correct angular position relative to the projection 76 first in the axial direction L, wherein the projection 76 passes through the first portion 74a of the guide 74 and then by rotation in the direction of arrow M relative to

Receiving space 66 moves so that the projection 76 in the second portion 74 b and to the

Stop surface 74c within the guide 74 extends. Once the projection 76 against the

Abutting stop surface 74c, the scent hole 72 is in fluid communication with the air channel. In the embodiment of Figs. 18a, 18b and Fig. 19, a separate mouthpiece 16 is shown, in which, as best shown in Fig. 19, a flavor container 20 is directly used. The

Aroma container in this solution need not be interchangeable, since instead of replacing the aroma container, the mouthpiece is replaced as such. By replacing the mouthpiece together with the aroma container, the hygiene is improved and also reduces the number of items as well as simplifies the use of the drinking device according to the invention. As far as the attachment of the mouthpiece to the head part of the drinking device, any solutions can be used here, as long as there is the required seal between the mouthpiece and the head part of the drinking device.

The schematic embodiment of Fig. 20a and 20b shows an inventive

Drinking device, which is shown as if the housing is transparent. The drinking device 10 consists again of a reservoir 12 and a head part 14. By means of a rotatable connection 58, which is shown in the present example as a threaded bolt with lock nut, the head part 14 can be rotated relative to the reservoir in the direction of arrow P. The aroma container 20 is inserted in the head part and the air channel 22 for transporting aromatized air flows into the transport channel 18b for drinking liquid, which is completely irrelevant to the understanding of this embodiment, since in the same way the air duct 22 is guided parallel to the transport channel 18b to the mouth end 28 could be.

Upon rotation of the head part 14 relative to the storage container 12, as shown in Fig. 20b, the portions 18a and 18b of the transport channel for drinking liquid, but also located in the head part air channel 32 are brought into flow communication with the air channel portion 32b, so that In the configuration shown in Fig. 20b, the drinking device is in a ready state. Since the parting plane 78 between the reservoir 12 and the head part 14 is not perpendicular to the cylindrical outer wall of the reservoir 12, but is arranged at an angle to this, changes, as shown in Fig. 20b in comparison to Fig. 20a, the position of the head part 14 between the sealed storage position and the drinking position. In this way, the user can not only be signaled whether the drinking device is in the drinking position, but also an as ergonomic as possible for drinking position are produced.

In the embodiments of the drinking device according to the invention shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, a flavor container 20 is used, which is designed as a flavoring ring, which is placed in the immediate vicinity of the mouthpiece 28 on the head part 14. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 21 and 22, only a single opening is located at the mouth end 28, namely the transport channel 18 for

Drinking liquid, since, as shown in Fig. 21 it can be seen, the air channel 22 opens into this just before the mouth end. In the same way, however, it is also possible when using a flavor ring, the Transport channel 18 for drinking liquid and the air channel 22 for transporting aromatized air parallel to the mouth end 28 to lead.

The annularly shaped aroma container 20 is subdivided into different segments 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d, which may contain different aroma strengths or aroma directions. The marking 78 on the head part 14 of the container indicates to the user which aroma chamber is in use. If the marking 78 is not aligned with the respective marking 80 on the individual chambers, the connection between the aroma container and the transport channel 18 can also be blocked in the embodiment according to FIGS. 21 and 22, so that a user does not have access via the system according to the invention flavored drinking liquid can take. The aroma container could only be frictionally engaged in a corresponding recess in the head part 14, whereby a particularly simple and convenient handling can be made possible for the user.

Of course, unlike the embodiment shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, it is also possible to provide an undivided aroma ring and consequently to provide only a single flavor to the consumer. It is advantageous, regardless of the number of chambers easy replacement and handling by the user, in the case of several different

Aroma types while drinking the aroma can change, but can also bring the ring in a position in which no flavor is metered and also the air duct 22 is completed to transport aromatized air, so that no air bubbles enter the water, thereby entering the user different mouthfeel can be achieved.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 23a, 23b and 23c is a

Drinking device 10, which is an open-topped drinking cup. The aroma container 20 is at this

Embodiment shown as a ring which surrounds the outer periphery of the reservoir 12 this and either, as shown in Fig. 23c, via a short air channel 22 for transporting aromatized air is connected to the transport channel 18 for drinking liquid, or, as shown in FIG. 23c is not shown, having an air duct which is guided parallel to the transport channel for drinking liquid and to the mouth end 28. When using the drinking cup, as shown in Fig. 23b, the drinking liquid is sucked in from the mouth end 28 (see Fig. 23a), whereby, as shown in Fig. 1, the drinking liquid mixed with air bubbles is sucked. Again, a parallel leadership of the transport channel 18 for drinking liquid and the air channel 22 for the transport of flavored air is conceivable again.

A variant of the open drinking vessel shown in Fig. 23 a could be a shot glass that works on the same principle as the open drinking vessel and can be used, for example, for spirits to be provided with additional flavors. FIGS. 24a and 24b show a further embodiment of the invention. The peculiarity of this embodiment is that the head part 14 can be screwed onto any serving as a reservoir 12 bottle. In the head part 14 is permanently installed on

Aroma tank, which via an unillustrated air duct 22, the flavored air either parallel to the transport channel 18 for drinking liquid transported to the mouth end 28 or, according to the schematic representation in Fig. 1 just before the mouth end 28 opens into the transport channel 18. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 24a and 24b, it is possible to use a conventional bottle with a pure drinkable liquid, which can be reconfigured in any way via the replacement of the head part 14 with the suction tube 80 connected thereto. This embodiment is advantageous above all in regions in which the tap water is not drinkable due to insufficient quality, so that the consumers buy pure water as a drinking liquid, which over the

Bottle attachment can be modified to any flavor.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in Figs. 25a and 25b. In this embodiment, the drinking device 10 according to the invention consists of designed as an open glass reservoir 12 and to be arranged in the reservoir drinking straw 82, which in itself the components and functionality of the suction tube 80, the transport channel 18 for drinking liquid and due to the ring around the straw around Aroma container 20 and the air channel 22 for transporting aromatized air in it. Similar to the previous embodiment using a bottle cap, the drinking straw 82 can be combined with any storage containers 12, wherein the aroma container 20 is preferably not interchangeable but firmly connected to the drinking straw.

Finally, FIGS. 26a and 26b show an embodiment in which the illustrated head part 12 of the drinking device 10, not shown, can be toppled upside down while drinking, as the consumers e.g. in drinking devices using a

Sport valves know. The peculiarity of the embodiment according to FIGS. 26a and 26b is that neither a suction hose 80 nor a drinking straw 82 is required. Without these elements, the hydration system according to the invention will be easier to handle hygienically. In addition, through this

Embodiment reduces the number of individual components, whereby the production is simplified and the assembly of the system is shortened. In addition, the consumer of conventional systems is used to tilting his bottle. By the system shown in Fig. 26a and 26b, no liquid from the reservoir 12 is accidentally spilled with the usual handling in contrast to the previously mentioned embodiments. The head part 14 shown in FIGS. 26a and 26b can be connected to a storage vessel 12 via the illustrated thread 84 or another possibility of attachment, it being important to ensure that the connection prevents liquid leakage. For pressure equalization between the inner and the outer area of the Drinking device 10, a check valve 85 may be attached, as shown for example in Fig. 4a and 4b.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 26 a, the aroma container is shown by way of example as a wide ring 83, the functional principle of which corresponds to the aroma container 20. The aroma depot is fluidly connected via the air channel 22. In the opening 86 a sliding, not shown here, mouthpiece must be pushed, which corresponds to a conventional mouthpiece of sports water bottles and must be made of a substantially flexible material. By moving in the direction K, the mouthpiece, not shown, opens and closes the drinking device 10.

In FIGS. 27a and 27b is a preferred embodiment of the invention

Drinking device shown with a change of the liquid channel 18 on the mouthpiece 16 in the head part 14 of the drinking device. It allows a change in the pressure conditions in the liquid-air mixture through the taper 19 shown in Fig. 27a or the extension 23 of the channel shown in Fig. 27b at the mouthpiece 16. This changes the shape and size of the air bubbles and creates a more pleasant drinking experience.

A further preferred embodiment of the improvement of the drinking device 10 is shown in FIGS. 28a and 28b. The preferred embodiment of the improvement according to the invention provides that the fluid channel 18 in the reservoir 12 of the drinking device 10 tapers (FIG. 28a-21) or widened (FIG. 28b-25). This allows a constant or changed suction pressure at different filling heights of the reservoir 12. The required suction pressure is essentially due to the hydrostatic heavy pressure of the fluid and the friction loss of the fluid on the wall of the fluid passage 18. The hydrostatic gravitational pressure is according to Pascal's law invariably directly proportional to the filling level in the reservoir 12 and influenced for the drinker noticeably the expended suction pressure. By changing the geometry of the liquid channel 18, this negative change can be compensated in part or in whole and thus the drinking feeling can be improved. In addition, the pressure differences can be reduced by not shown here use of a substantially wide and shallow storage container.

Another, shown in Fig. 29, preferred embodiment of the drinking device 10 provides that the air duct 22 is tapered in the head part 14 only at one point 27 and the air duct otherwise has a wider cross-section. This has the advantage that, despite a required small cross-section, in particular diameter, of the air duct 14, easier producibility and easier cleanability are provided. For example, in the embodiment shown by way of example in FIG. 29, liquid passing from the liquid channel 18 into the air channel 22 can easily enter the

Liquid channel 18 run back, resulting in hygienic benefits. A further preferred embodiment is shown schematically in FIGS. 30a and 30b. Here is shown by way of example a solution in which the head part 14 is substantially axially symmetric in two parts 14 a and 14 b divisible. Both parts 14a, 14b contain on the inside in each case a part of the air channel 22 and the liquid channel 18, which give the required for the drinking device channels when joining the two halves 14a, 14b along the arrow direction C positively. A fastening device 29, which is shown by way of example as a ring in the preferred embodiment in FIGS. 30a and 30b, can be held together reversibly by a displacement in the direction of arrow D on the two parts 14a and 14b. In Fig. 30b, the divisible head part 14 is shown in the drinking position. Here, the recess 66 for the aroma reservoir 20, not shown, is also cylindrical. About a production of the head part 14 of a substantially flexible material, a

Sealing can be achieved.

Another preferred embodiment of the divisible header 14 is shown in FIG. The recess 66 for the aroma reservoir 20 is also possible in the head part. The integration into the interior of the head part has the advantage that the aroma reservoir 20 is not visible in the closed state of the head part from the outside and the aroma reservoir thus must be designed, among other things, less expensive and volatilization of the flavor from the aroma reservoir is slowed down during storage. The insertion of the aroma reservoir is done by joining the two parts 14a and 14b along the direction of the arrow E. The two parts of the head part 14 are held together by a mechanism not shown here.

A further embodiment for optimizing a drinking device according to the invention is shown by way of example in FIGS. 32a, 32b and 32c. In this case, a preferred embodiment in Fig. 32a, the head portion 14 of a drinking device is shown, which includes a fluid channel 18 and an air channel 22. In Fig. 32a while a uniform over the entire length shaped liquid channel is shown.

On the other hand, a preferred embodiment of a head part 14 of a drinking device is shown in FIG. 32b, in which the liquid channel 18 at the connection point of the liquid channel 18 with the air channel 22 has a smaller diameter than at the remaining points. This will be the

Flow conditions of the liquid in the liquid channel 18 changed when using the drinking device. Due to the taper, the dynamic pressure (backpressure) at the entry point there is maximum and the static pressure of the liquid is minimal. The speed of the liquid increases in proportion to the cross sections as it flows through the constricted part, since the amount of liquid does not change. At the same time, the pressure in the air duct 22, which is attached at the narrowest point, decreases. This creates a pressure difference, the inclusion of the flavored air in the liquid of

Drinking device boosts. As a result, the user, for example, less strong on the Drinking are sucked, which improves the drinking. This effect, known as the Venturi effect, significantly improves the drinking device.

A further preferred embodiment is shown by way of example in FIG. 32c and provides that a liquid channel 18 and an air channel 22 are arranged in the head part 14 of the drinking device, wherein at the connection point of the two channels at least one of the two channels with respect to the cross section of the other regions of the respective Channels is extended. This also allows a changed drinking feeling of the user of the drinking device.

A further preferred embodiment of the head part 14 is shown by way of example in FIGS. 33a and 33b and provides that the air duct 22 is interrupted by a chamber 87 which is designed substantially as a recess on the outer wall of the fluid duct 18. The interruption of the air channel through a chamber 87 is designed so that at the contact point of the removable riser 18 for the drinking liquid (liquid channel) and the air channel 22, a recess in the head part 14 of the drinking device is provided. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the air channel 22 opens from the aroma container 20 at an upper position in the chamber 87. On the

opposite side of the air channel is continued as a channel 22 b through the transport channel 18 at a lower position of the chamber 87. Through the thus executed chamber is a

Returning the drinking liquid into the aroma reservoir 20 prevented. By the opposite position of the continuation of the air channel 22, the chamber 87 is used in the best possible way. Due to the different high positions of the inlet and the outlet opening of the air channel 22 in and out of the chamber 87, among other things, a drainage of drinking liquid is made possible back into the transport channel 18 for drinking liquid. The arrangement of the chamber 87 at the point of contact between the head part 14, which may be made for example of a substantially elastic material, and the transport channel 18 for drinking liquid facilitates cleaning after the

Disassemble the components. In addition, in Fig. 33a and Fig. 33b, the air supply line 32 through the head portion 14 in the reservoir 12, not shown for drinking liquid. 33b shows the embodiment of the head part 14 of the drinking device according to Fig. 33a in section, whereby the positions of the chamber 87 and the entry point of the air channel 22 and the exit point from the chamber 87 in the continuation of the air duct 22b is illustrated.

All embodiments have in common that the aroma is taken only orally and thus there is no orthonasal olfactory impression. By the oral ingestion of the aroma, the taste impression is created by the user only by retronasal perception of the aroma substance and is, if at all, taken up by the consumer via the enteral route only in a vanishing amount. It is also possible to produce complex aromas and aroma mixtures that do not require long-term stabilization in the drinking liquid and are also not swallowed by the user.

Claims

claims A drinking device for retronasally receiving an aroma substance, comprising: a reservoir (12) for drinking fluid; at least one air-permeable aroma container (20); and a transport channel (18) for drinking liquid extending from the storage container (12) to a mouth end (28) of the drinking device (10); and an air channel (22) for transporting aromatized air, which extends from at least one of the at least one aroma container (20) to the transport channel (18) for drinking liquid or to the mouth end (28). 2. Drinking device according to claim 1,  characterized in that  the mouth end (28) is designed so that the transport channel (18) for drinking liquid and the air channel (22) for transporting aromatized air at the mouth end (28) separated from each other and extend substantially equally in the longitudinal direction. 3. Drinking device according to claim 1,  characterized in that  the mouth end (28) is designed so that when using the drinking device (10) of the  Transport channel (18) for drinking liquid and the air channel (22) for transporting aromatized air extend far different in the oral cavity of the user. 4. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a  A throttle device and / or sealing device, preferably in a mouthpiece (16) comprising the mouth end (28), preferably wherein the mouthpiece (16) is movable from a sealing position to a non-sealing position. 5. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims,  characterized in that  the head part (14) is divisible. 6. Drinking device according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that one of the at least one, preferably removable, aroma container (20) comprises the sealing device, wherein the aroma container (20) is movable from a sealing position to a non-sealing position. 7. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims,  characterized in that  at least one of the at least one aroma container (20) comprises a plurality of chambers (20a, 20b, ...) containing aroma substances of different odor intensity and / or different aromas. 8. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims,  characterized in that  one of the at least one aroma container (20) in a mouthpiece (16) of the  Drinking device (10) is located, wherein the mouthpiece (16) is preferably exchangeable. 9. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a  Pressure equalization valve (34, 38), which closes an air supply line (32) which leads into the interior of the reservoir (12) for drinking liquid. 10. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a head part (14) of the drinking device (10), which comprises the mouth end (28) and is arranged movable relative to the reservoir (12), wherein the head part (14) of a transport channel (18) for drinking liquid and / or the air channel (22) for transporting the aromatized air sealing position is movable to a non-sealing position. 11. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims,  characterized in that  the at least one aroma container (20) comprises a filter substance and a user-activatable aroma unit which contains a fluid with an aromatizing substance, wherein the fluid is releasable upon activation of the aroma unit in the filter substance. 12. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims,  characterized in that the air duct (22) comprises a, preferably annular, chamber (87), which is preferably arranged between a removable head part (14) of the drinking device (10) and the transport channel (18) for drinking liquid. 13. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims,  characterized in that  the air channel (22) has a minimum cross-sectional area between 0.2 mrn ^ and 4.9 mrn ^. 14. Drinking device according to one of claims 1-12, further comprising a permeable membrane in the air channel (22), preferably at the mouth of the air channel in the transport channel (18) for drinking liquid.