EP3944792A1 - Drinking device and drinking vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

A drinking device consists of a drinking straw (12) with an inner flow channel (32) and a drinking end (18) as well as an aroma container (20) connected to the drinking straw (12) for adding an aroma substance to an air stream flowing out of the aroma container (20). The aroma container comprises at least one air outlet opening (40) which is in flow connection either with at least one aroma inlet opening (42) in the inner flow channel (32) of the drinking straw or with an aroma channel (38) which extends to the drinking end (18) of the drinking straw ( 12), wherein the aroma container (20) can be coupled to the drinking straw (12) in such a way that when a negative pressure is applied to the drinking end (18) of the drinking straw at a mouthpiece (14) connected to the drinking end (18) of the drinking straw (12), the air flow exits the aroma container through the at least one air outlet opening (40) and the aroma container) comprises an aroma chamber (44) in which there is a carrier substance (46) for an aroma substance, the carrier substance (46) having a specific flow resistance of less than 500 Pa·s/m.

Description

field of invention

The invention relates to a drinking device and a drinking vessel with such a drinking device.

State of the art

There is an increasing need to drink liquids which, on the one hand, have a pleasant taste and, on the other hand, avoid health risks that can be caused by taking flavoring substances or stabilizing agents dissolved in the liquid. In addition, the intake of an increased amount of calories should be avoided.

Therefore, water flavored with a faint fruit flavor has become popular in recent years. However, there are also undesirable additives in this flavored water, such as stabilizing substances and a certain amount of sugar. Many users reject such drinks simply because of this amount of calories and because of dental hygiene.

Since the olfactory sensory impression makes up a significant part of the gustatory perception when consuming food and drinks, previous drinking systems try to influence the smell perceived when drinking. To this end, aroma elements are proposed that can be attached to a drinking vessel near the drinking opening, so that the aroma element is in close proximity to the nose of the user, who breathes through the nose while drinking and thus absorbs the scent.

From the WO 2019/016096 A1 a drinking device is known for the retronasal absorption of an aroma substance with an aroma container through which air can flow, which supplies the aromatized air to a transport channel for drinking liquid. In this way, the flavoring substance is absorbed retronasally. When drinking, the flavoring substance gets into the mouth of the user together with the drinking liquid and then rises retronasally via the pharynx to the olfactory mucosa, where it is detected by the receptors located there and perceived by the user. This takes advantage 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 of tasting the aroma, when in fact he only smells it retronasally.

Presentation of the invention

The invention is based on the object of proposing a drinking device for adding an aromatic substance, which is space-saving and can be used in a variety of ways.

This object is achieved by a drinking device having the features of claim 1 and a drinking vessel having the features of claim 20.

Preferred embodiments follow from the remaining claims.

The drinking device according to the invention consists of a drinking straw and an aroma container. The drinking straw has an internal flow channel and a drinking end. The aroma container for releasing an aroma substance to an air stream flowing out of the aroma container is connected to the drinking straw in a fixed, movable or detachable manner. The aroma container includes at least one air outlet opening, either is in flow communication with at least one aroma entry opening into the inner flow channel of the drinking straw, or is in flow communication with an aroma channel that extends to the drinking end of the drinking straw. The aroma container is adapted to be coupled to the drinking straw in such a way that when a negative pressure is applied to the drinking end of the drinking straw or when a negative pressure is applied to a mouthpiece arranged at the drinking end of the drinking straw, the air flow exits the aroma container through the at least one air outlet opening. The aroma container comprises an aroma chamber in which a carrier substance for a aroma substance is located, the carrier substance having a specific flow resistance of less than 500 Pa.s/m and preferably less than 400 Pa.s/m and most preferably of about 380 Pa. s/m owns.

The drinking device according to the invention can thus be configured in different ways. The aroma container can be arranged on the drinking straw in such a way that the aromatized air flow emerging from the at least one air outlet opening of the aroma container enters the inner flow channel of the drinking straw through at least one aroma inlet opening and the user either directly at the drinking end of the drinking straw or via an additional one attached to the drinking end Mouthpiece can absorb the drinking liquid mixed with the flavored air flow. Alternatively, a user can take in the drinking liquid through the inner flow channel of the drinking straw and the flavored air flow via an aroma channel provided separately from the inner flow channel. The aroma channel can be provided separately from the inner flow channel on the drinking straw, or it can be connected to the aroma container. In the latter case, the drinking straw can be a conventional drinking straw that does not have to have an aroma inlet opening into the inner flow channel. A further alternative is that the aroma container and a mouthpiece arranged at the drinking end of the drinking straw together to be executed. In this case, the flavored air flow neither runs in the inner flow channel of the drinking straw nor parallel to it, but is only fed into the drinking liquid downstream in the area of the mouthpiece or runs parallel to the flow space for drinking liquid in the mouthpiece.

It is essential that the aroma container comprises an aroma chamber, in which there is a carrier substance for the aroma substance, which is released into the air when air flows through the aroma container. The carrier substance has a specific flow resistance of less than 500 Pa·s/m, preferably less than 400 Pa·s/m and most preferably about 380 Pa·s/m. According to the usual definition, the ratio of the pressure difference in front of and behind a layer of material to the speed of the air flowing through is referred to as specific flow resistance. In numerous tests, the claimed flow resistance has proven to be particularly suitable for causing good flow through the carrier substance in the aroma chamber of the aroma container, but also for good enrichment of the air flow flowing through the aroma container and improved aroma development when using the aroma container with a drinking straw enable.

What all the variants described above have in common is that the flavored air flow is not released into the surrounding air in order to have an orthonasal effect on a user, but is taken in orally by the user when drinking, so that the flavored air is perceived retronasally and the sensory impression of a taste perception of the drinking liquid can arise.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aroma container is activated relative to the drinking straw, preferably in a longitudinal direction of the drinking straw between an Position and a non-activated position movable, wherein the at least one air outlet opening is in flow communication with the at least one aroma inlet opening and the aroma channel only in the activated position.

Moving the aroma canister between the non-activated position and the activated position extends the life of the aroma canister because it will not inadvertently emit when not in use. The movement of the aroma container between the non-activated position and the activated position can be carried out by the user himself, so that the drinking device according to the invention can also be used to receive non-flavoured drinking liquid.

In the simplest case, the movement of the aroma container, which preferably takes place in a longitudinal direction of the drinking straw, creates or interrupts a flow connection between the air outlet opening of the aroma container and the aroma inlet opening of the drinking straw or an inlet opening in the aroma channel of the drinking straw.

Preferably, the flavor container includes the mouthpiece. In this case, the aroma container is attached to the drinking end of the drinking straw and includes the mouthpiece for the user, the drinking liquid mixed with a stream of flavored air in this way, or with the help of two separate transport channels ending at the mouth end of the mouthpiece, pure drinking liquid and flavored air orally at the same time can record.

The provision of an aroma container with a mouthpiece has the advantage that when the aroma container is replaced, a user can easily and intuitively reassemble the drinking device correctly. When providing separate flow channels for the drinking liquid and the flavored air flow it is also possible to use a conventional drinking straw in the drinking device.

According to a first alternative, preferred embodiment, the drinking straw has the aroma channel, which is provided separately from the flow channel and ends at the drinking end of the drinking straw. Alternatively, however, the aroma container can also include the aroma channel. However, in the case of the separate provision of a flow channel for drinking liquid and a transport channel for the flavored air flow, it is particularly preferred to form the aroma channel between a first boundary wall surrounding the inner flow channel of the drinking straw and a second boundary wall formed by the aroma container. In this way, the configuration of the drinking device with separate flow channels can be realized with minimal use of material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drinking device further comprises a sealing element which extends around the drinking straw and is suitable for being placed on drinking vessels with different diameters.

The design of the drinking device with a sealing element makes it particularly suitable for being transported without the drinking liquid in the drinking vessel being able to spill out. The provision of a sealing element that is suitable for being placed on drinking vessels with different diameters increases the variability of the drinking device because the user can use it with different drinking vessels.

It has proven to be a particularly suitable configuration to design the sealing element in such a way that it is a continuously conical or stepped conical, rotationally symmetrical element. In this way, regardless of the opening diameter at the upper end of the Drinking vessel, the sealing element are placed in a sealing manner on the drinking vessel, as long as the drinking vessel has a round opening and the diameter of the round opening moves in the range of the diameter of the rotationally symmetrical element of the sealing element. A continuously conical element can be placed on any opening diameter, while in the case of a stepped conical element, an annular step in the region of the stepped conical element rests on the upper edge of the drinking vessel.

According to an alternative embodiment, the sealing element can be an elastic sealing grommet. Such sealing grommets, for example made of a silicone material, are known for sealing vessels of different sizes tightly. The elastic sealing grommet is stretched over the upper edge of the drinking vessel and rests elastically in the area of the upper edge on the side wall or the side walls of the drinking vessel. While the provision of the continuously conical or stepped conical, rotationally symmetrical element described above is only suitable for drinking vessels with a circular opening cross section, if the sealing element is provided in the form of an elastic sealing grommet, a drinking vessel with other cross-sectional shapes, for example a square cross-sectional shape, can also be used in the same way be closed at the top.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drinking straw can be divided in the longitudinal direction. This design has the advantage that the drinking straw can be easily cleaned by dividing it into two channel-shaped sections that can be cleaned separately, e.g. under running water.

According to an alternative, preferred embodiment, the drinking straw has a film hinge running in the longitudinal direction and can be opened lengthwise. This measure also serves to simplify the cleaning of the drinking straw in that it can be opened up, making the inner walls of the drinking straw easily accessible.

The drinking straw preferably has a plurality of predetermined kinks. In this way, a drinking straw with a standardized length can be used independently of the geometry of a drinking vessel. A further advantage is that the drinking device according to the invention can be transported more safely, since unintentional pressure on the drinking straw, for example in a bag during transport, does not damage the drinking straw because the drinking straw can evade the kinks of a force or can adapt to a non-flat contact surface. Furthermore, the drinking straw with predetermined kinks can be transported in a particularly space-saving manner.

Alternatively, according to a further preferred embodiment, it is also possible to design the drinking straw to be elastically deformable. There are therefore no intended kinks at defined positions, but overall there is sufficient elastic deformability of the drinking straw, so that the risk of unintentional damage, for example kinking of the drinking straw, can be largely avoided.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drinking device according to the invention also has a weight that is provided at the end of the drinking straw opposite the person drinking in the longitudinal direction, which has a bearing surface for placing on the inner bottom of a drinking vessel.

Providing a weight has the advantage that the drinking straw is always held at the bottom of the drinking vessel. In the event of A rigid drinking straw can also be avoided in this way that the drinking device tips over in the drinking vessel.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the drinking straw comprises a receiving device for the aroma container, into which the aroma container can be inserted. In other words, an adapter is already provided on the drinking straw, into which the aroma container can be inserted. In this way, on the one hand, the aroma container can be activated by exposing the air outlet opening only when it is placed in the receiving device, and on the other hand, the geometry of the receiving device and the complementary geometry of the aroma container can also ensure that the aroma container is in the correct functional arrangement relatively connected to the drinking straw.

The drinking straw preferably comprises a first longitudinal section and a second longitudinal section, with the aroma container being attachable between the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section of the drinking straw. The aroma container thus represents a coupling element between the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section of the drinking straw. This design is easy for a user to understand, so that a user when replacing the aroma container after it has been exhausted or when wanting a different flavor is very easy way to replace the aroma container. The coupling geometry between the drinking straw and the aroma container can also be used to activate the aroma container.

It can be advantageous to design the aroma container in such a way that the receptacle for the drinking straw is designed conically, so that drinking straws with different outer diameters can be used together with an aroma container.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the aroma container is attached to the drinking straw, preferably clipped, the aroma container comprising a penetrating element which is suitable for penetrating the drinking straw when the aroma container is attached to a drinking straw and producing the aroma inlet opening. In this way, the aroma container can be used with a conventional drinking straw, since the drinking straw does not have to have a prefabricated aroma inlet opening before the aroma container is attached. A further advantage is that due to the production of the aroma inlet opening when attaching the aroma container, no exact positioning of the aroma container is required. The penetrating element has the additional function of fixing the position of the aroma container on the drinking straw.

The inner flow channel of the drinking straw preferably has a cross-sectional reduction in some areas in the area of the aroma inlet opening. A reduction in cross-section in the flow channel of the drinking straw creates a venturi effect. In the area of the flow constriction, the dynamic pressure, i.e. the dynamic pressure, is at a maximum, while the hydrostatic pressure is at a minimum. In addition, there is an increased flow rate of the drinking liquid in the area of the constriction when drinking. The constriction thus has the effect that the pressure in the inner flow channel in the area of the reduction in cross section drops, as a result of which a suction effect is created with the aid of which the flavored air is sucked out of the aroma container.

The invention further relates to a drinking vessel comprising a base and at least one side wall, which extends upwards from the base and delimits a volume for receiving drinking liquid, and a drinking device according to the invention.

The drinking vessel is preferably designed in such a way that the drinking straw of the drinking device is firmly connected to a side wall of the drinking vessel, with the side wall of the drinking vessel preferably delimiting the inner flow channel directly. In this way, the drinking device according to the invention can be firmly integrated into a drinking vessel.

Depending on the application, the aroma chamber can also have at least one air inlet opening in addition to the at least one air outlet opening. This design is only avoided if the aroma container is immersed in the drinking liquid when the drinking device is used as intended in a drinking vessel. However, if the aroma container is in the region of the drinking end of the drinking device, or if the aroma container is provided with a mouthpiece, an air inlet opening enables easier flow through the aroma container and better enrichment of the air flow with aroma substance.

In those configurations without an air inlet opening in the aroma container, the pressure is equalized in that ambient air flows back into the aroma container through the air outlet opening as soon as the air outlet opening is not closed by the surrounding liquid. If the aroma container is arranged on the drinking straw in such a way that it is located within the drinking liquid in a drinking vessel, the drinking straw is also filled with drinking liquid at least up to the height of the liquid in the drinking vessel. In this way, the air outlet opening of the aroma container can be closed since no flavored air can escape and at the same time no liquid penetrates into the interior of the aroma container due to the small opening dimensions of the air outlet opening and the associated capillary effect. This way you can without any unwanted loss Flavoring substance remain the drinking device during use in the liquid-filled drinking vessel, because flavored air exits from the air outlet opening of the aroma container only during drinking.

In addition to the carrier substance, there is preferably also a head space between the carrier substance and a wall of the aroma container closing off the aroma chamber in the aroma chamber. The provision of a head space improves the mixing of the flavored air in the flavor container. The aroma substance can consist of numerous chemical compounds, the mass transfer behavior of which differs from the carrier substance into the head space of the aroma container. Different transport speeds of different chemical substances can occur here, and different aromatization compositions can also be present within the aroma chamber, which can be homogenized within the headspace.

A fleece material is preferably provided as the carrier substance, which has a high air permeability, which should not be less than 200 l/(m ² ·s). At the same time, the air permeability of the fleece material should not be higher than 500 l/(m ² ·s) at 100 Pa differential pressure. If the air permeability is too high, there is a risk that preferred flow paths will form within the fleece material, so that the air flow exiting the aroma container would already have an insufficient degree of aromatization long before the aroma substance is actually exhausted. The most suitable geometry of the carrier substance as well as the size of the headspace can also differ depending on the individual flavoring substances. Different flavoring substances have different chemical structures that affect their mass transfer behavior and flow properties, so here is a list for each individual flavor separate optimization process can be carried out to lead to an optimal taste experience.

Preferably, the thickness of the carrier substance in relation to the height of the aroma chamber is at least 50% and preferably at least 80% of the height between a bottom wall of the aroma container and a top wall.

The aroma container preferably has an essentially ring-shaped geometry, so that the aroma container can be arranged around the drinking straw, resulting in a weight distribution that the user finds particularly pleasant. However, the geometry of the aroma container can deviate from an exact circular shape in order to interact with a complementary shaped drinking straw in such a way that only a single radial orientation of the aroma container relative to the drinking straw is possible, whereby the exact radial position of the aroma container relative to the drinking straw can be defined .

Brief description of the figures

Fig. 1a und Fig. 1b

eine erfindungsgemäße Trinkvorrichtung in aktiviertem und nicht aktiviertem Zustand;

Fig. 2

eine Trinkvorrichtung, bei welcher der Aromabehälter nicht deaktivierbar ist;

Fig. 3a

eine mögliche Gestaltung der Aufnahme für den Trinkhalm im Aromabehälter in Explosionsansicht und teilweisem Schnitt;

Fig. 3b und Fig. 3c

die Verwendung der Trinkvorrichtung nach Fig. 3a mit Trinkhalmen mit unterschiedlichen Durchmessern;

Fig. 4a und Fig. 4b

eine Explosionsansicht sowie eine Ansicht im zusammengebauten Zustand einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Trinkvorrichtung;

Fig. 5a und Fig. 5b

eine weitere Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Trinkvorrichtung in Explosionsansicht und im zusammengebauten Zustand;

Fig. 5c

eine Schnittansicht der Trinkvorrichtung nach Fig. 5b;

Fig. 6 und Fig. 6a

eine weitere Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Trinkvorrichtung sowie eine Detailansicht;

Fig. 7a und Fig. 7b

eine Außenansicht sowie Schnittansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Trinkvorrichtung;

Fig. 8 und Fig. 8a

eine Außenansicht sowie eine Schnittansicht entlang der Schnittebene A-A einer weiteren Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Trinkvorrichtung;

Fig. 9a und Fig. 9b

eine weitere Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Trinkvorrichtung sowie eines Trinkgefäßes;

Fig. 10a und Fig. 10b

eine weitere Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Trinkvorrichtung sowie eines Trinkgefäßes;

Fig. 11a, Fig. 11b und Fig. 11c

eine weitere Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Trinkvorrichtung sowie eines Trinkgefäßes;

Fig. 12a, Fig. 12b und Fig. 12c

eine mögliche Gestaltung des Trinkhalms in zwei verschiedenen Konfigurationen sowie einer Schnittdarstellung;

Fig. 13a und Fig. 13b

eine weitere Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Trinkvorrichtung sowie des Trinkgefäßes;

Fig. 14a und Fig. 14b

eine weitere Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Trinkvorrichtung sowie des Trinkgefäßes;

Fig. 15a, Fig. 15b und Fig. 15c

eine weitere mögliche Ausgestaltung des Trinkhalms in geschlossenem Zustand (Fig. 15a), teilweise geöffnetem Zustand (Fig. 15b) sowie in einer Detailansicht (Fig. 15c);

Fig. 16a, Fig. 16b und Fig. 16c

eine weitere mögliche Ausgestaltung des Trinkhalms in geschlossenem Zustand (Fig. 16a), teilweise geöffnetem Zustand (Fig. 16b) sowie in einer Detailansicht (Fig. 16c);

Fig. 17

eine weitere mögliche Ausgestaltung der erfindungsgemäßen Trinkvorrichtung in einem Trinkgefäß; und

Fig. 18

ein Trinkgefäß mit integrierter Trinkvorrichtung.

In the following figures, the invention is described purely by way of example using different embodiments. show in it

Figures 1a and 1b

a drinking device according to the invention in the activated and non-activated state;

2

a drinking device in which the aroma container cannot be deactivated;

Figure 3a

a possible design of the receptacle for the drinking straw in the aroma container in an exploded view and partial section;

Figures 3b and 3c

the use of the drinking device Figure 3a with drinking straws of different diameters;

Figures 4a and 4b

an exploded view and an assembled view of another embodiment of a drinking device according to the invention;

Figures 5a and 5b

a further embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention in an exploded view and in the assembled state;

Figure 5c

a sectional view of the drinking device Figure 5b ;

Figures 6 and 6a

a further embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention and a detailed view;

Figures 7a and 7b

an external view and sectional view of a further embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention;

Figures 8 and 8a

an external view and a sectional view along the section plane AA of a further embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention;

Figures 9a and 9b

a further embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention and a drinking vessel;

10a and Figure 10b

a further embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention and a drinking vessel;

Figures 11a, 11b and 11c

a further embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention and a drinking vessel;

Figures 12a, 12b and 12c

a possible design of the drinking straw in two different configurations and a sectional view;

Figures 13a and 13b

a further embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention and of the drinking vessel;

Figures 14a and 14b

a further embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention and of the drinking vessel;

Figures 15a, 15b and 15c

another possible design of the drinking straw in the closed state ( Figure 15a ), partially open state ( Figure 15b ) and in a detailed view ( Figure 15c );

Figures 16a, 16b and 16c

another possible design of the drinking straw in the closed state ( 16a ), partially open state ( Figure 16b ) and in a detailed view ( Figure 16c );

17

another possible embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention in a drinking vessel; and

18

a drinking vessel with an integrated drinking device.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

In the following exemplary embodiments, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numbers.

Referring to the 1a, 1b and 2 a basic structure of the drinking device 10 according to the invention is described. The drinking device 10 consists of a drinking straw 12, an aroma container 20 and an optional mouthpiece 14, which can also be present in the following embodiments, wherever this makes sense. The mouthpiece 14 defines the end of the drink for the user. The drinking straw 12 is immersed in a drinking liquid in a conventional manner and sucked by sucking on the mouthpiece 14 through an internal flow channel up through the drinking straw 12 towards and through the mouthpiece 14 .

The drinking device further includes an aroma container 20, as later based on the Figure 5c will be described, comprises an aroma chamber in which there is a carrier substance for an aroma substance or a mixture of different aroma substances. During the drinking process, the aroma container 20 emits air flavored with the aroma substance, which, as will be explained below using a few examples, is either introduced into the inner flow channel of the drinking straw 12 or conveyed in a separate aroma channel in the direction of the mouthpiece 14. In the mouthpiece 14, the flavored air either open again into the flow channel for liquid or else be guided in a separate flow channel up to the mouth end 28 of the mouthpiece 14 .

However, it is important that the mouthpiece 14 is designed in the case of separate flow channels for the drinking liquid and for the flavored air so that both the drinking liquid and the flavored air are taken orally during the drinking process.

At the in 2 illustrated example, the aroma container is firmly connected to the drinking device 10 and is always in an activated state in which flavored air can be released from the aroma container.

In order to extend the service life of the drinking device 10 according to the invention, it can be expedient if the drinking device is designed in such a way that the aroma container 20 can be moved between an activated and a non-activated position. For this purpose, the aroma container 20, according to the embodiment Figures 1 and 1b extends essentially in a ring around the drinking straw 12, either by a rotational movement between an activated position and a non-activated position, or, as in the specific embodiment Figures 1a and 1b is shown, by a displacement in the longitudinal direction of the drinking straw 12 between the in Fig. 1a shown non-activated position and in Fig. 1b shown activated position are shifted in the longitudinal direction. Only in the activated position is an air outlet opening provided in the aroma container aligned with an aroma inlet opening either in the inner flow channel of the drinking straw 12 or in a separate aroma channel, while in the non-activated position the air outlet opening from the aroma container is closed.

In order to give the user haptic feedback in relation to the sliding movement between the activated and the non-activated position, a stop 16 is fixedly provided on the drinking straw 12 against which the aroma container is displaced when it is brought into the non-activated position. A stop 30 is also provided on the mouthpiece, which limits the sliding movement into the activated position. In this way, the user can easily activate the aroma container by moving the aroma container between the two stop positions. Opposite the in 2 illustrated embodiment of the drinking device with an aroma container, which is always in an activated state, the possibility of activating the aroma container not only has the advantage of a longer service life, but also offers the possibility of using the drinking device in the non-activated state, for example if it is desired to drink pure drinking liquid.

In the Figures 3a, 3b and 3c an alternative embodiment of the drinking device 10 is shown, which in the present case consists of an aroma container 20 with an integrated mouthpiece 14 into which a conventional drinking straw 12 can be inserted.

It is further preferred if a conical receptacle 22 is provided in the aroma container, which serves to receive the drinking end 18 of the drinking straw 12 . Due to the conical receptacle 22, the aroma container can Figure 3a be used with drinking straws 12a, 12b with different diameters, as in FIGS Figures 3b and 3c is shown.

In the configuration of the drinking device 10 according to Figure 3a a conventional drinking straw 12 can be used, since the flavored air is supplied from the aroma container 20 in the area of the mouthpiece 14 and therefore no drinking straw 12 must be used with a defined and specially arranged aroma inlet opening in the inner flow channel of the drinking straw.

In the Figures 4a and 4b a further alternative embodiment of the drinking device 10 according to the invention is shown. The aroma container 20 is located between sections 12-1 and 12-2 of the drinking straw. The embodiment after Figures 4a and 4b is advantageous because the replacement of the aroma container 20 can be carried out very easily and intuitively for a user. For this purpose, the aroma container 20 preferably deviates from a circular geometry. Since at least the inner opening of the aroma container does not have a circular geometry, the two sections 12 - 1 and 12 - 2 of the drinking straw, which are each provided with coupling elements 24 , can only be used in a defined orientation relative to the aroma container 20 . The two coupling elements 24 can be designed in such a way that they not only extend through the inner opening in the ring-shaped aroma container 20, but can also be plugged into one another in a liquid-tight manner, so that there is a flow-tight connection between the sections 12-1 and 12-2 of the drinking straw Connection results, but at the same time also gives the correct orientation relative to the aroma container 20 and the air outlet opening from the aroma container is aligned relative to an aroma inlet opening in one of the coupling elements 24 exactly.

The embodiment after Figures 4a and 4b has the advantage that not only can an aroma container 20 be easily exchanged for another aroma container, but the drinking straw can also be cleaned. It goes without saying that this is also the case with the embodiment according to FIG Figures 4a and 4b possible that drinkers of the drinking straw 12-1 to couple with a mouthpiece.

In the embodiment according to Figures 5a, 5b and 5c the aroma container 20 does not extend around the drinking straw 12, but is inserted into a receptacle 26 on the drinking straw 12, whereby the drinking device 10 is placed in the operating state. For this purpose, the aroma container 20 shown in FIG. A is inserted into the receptacle 26 in the direction of the arrow A, so that the operational drinking device is Figure 5b results.

A suitable complementary shape of the receptacle 26 and the geometry of the aroma container 20 can ensure that the aroma container is positioned exactly in order to be able to release the flavored air.

Securing the aroma container 20 in the receptacle 26 can be accomplished by clamping, using a suction cup in the receptacle, or any other suitable method. For example, the aroma container can be pinned, screwed or fastened with the help of a bayonet catch. Other tools can also be used, such as magnets, Velcro or a rubber band.

In Figure 5c 1 is one possible design of the drinking device 10. FIG Figure 5b shown. The drinking straw 12 has an inner flow channel 32 through which the drinking liquid is sucked in towards the drinking end 18 of the drinking straw 12 by the user, as in a conventional drinking straw. The receptacle 26 for the aroma container 20 has next to the in Figures 5a and 5b The shell-shaped outer wall 34 shown also has an inner wall 36, in which there is an aroma channel 38, which is in flow connection with the air outlet opening 40 in the aroma container and is also in flow connection with an aroma inlet opening 42 on the drinking straw 12, which leads into the inner flow channel 32 of the drinking straw 12 flows.

As in Figure 5c is also shown, is located within the aroma container an aroma chamber 44, in which a carrier substance 46 is located, which does not completely fill the aroma chamber 44. For this purpose, with the ring-shaped geometry of the aroma container 20 shown here, the carrier substance 46 cannot extend completely around the ring-shaped aroma chamber 44, but can be configured in a U-shape, for example, which facilitates the automated insertion of the carrier substance into the aroma chamber during production of the aroma chamber. Since the carrier substance 46 does not completely fill the aroma chamber 44, an air-filled headspace 48 is formed within the aroma chamber 44, in which the aroma substance consisting of different chemical compounds can mix and homogenize.

The in the sectional view of Figure 5c The geometry of the aroma container shown is not circular, so that the aroma container can only be used in a defined position relative to the receptacle 26, in which there is a flow connection between the aroma container and the inner flow channel 32 of the drinking straw 12.

The carrier substance has a flow resistivity of less than 500 Pa.s/m, and preferably less than 400 Pa.s/m, and most preferably about 380 Pa.s/m, to provide a flow resistance during normal use of the drinking straw 12 by the user to feed a sufficient amount of flavored air into the inner flow channel 32 of the drinking straw 12 .

The embodiment after Figures 6 and 6a , which shows the area at the drinking end of the drinking straw in an enlarged view 6 represents an alternative embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention, in which, in contrast to the sectional view in Figure 5c was shown, the aroma channel 38 does not have an aroma inlet opening in the inner flow channel 32 of the drinking straw opens, but is guided parallel to this to the drinking end 18 of the drinking straw 12. For this purpose, an aroma duct 38 is provided parallel to the inner flow duct 32, through which the aromatized air is sucked in during the drinking process and is ingested orally.

Furthermore, in Figure 6a an air inlet opening 50 is shown, through which air enters the aroma container 20 . In the generally ring-shaped design of the aroma container 20, the air inlet opening 50 is arranged opposite to the air outlet opening 40, so that it is ensured that the air flowing through the aroma container has to cover a sufficient distance before it leaves the aroma container through the air outlet opening 40 sufficiently flavored.

The embodiment after Figures 7a and 7b is essentially the same as the one after Figures 6a and 6a . However, in the design after Figures 7a and 7b the aroma channel 38 part of the aroma container 20, which is slid onto the drinking straw 12 until it abuts against the stop 52 fixedly provided on the drinking straw, which ensures that the aroma channel 38 of the aroma container ends at the drinking end 18 of the drinking straw 12.

When designing according to Figure 7b there is a double wall in the area between the inner flow channel 32 and the aroma channel 38. However, this double wall can also be eliminated, as in the embodiment according to FIG Figures 8 and 8a is shown. Also in the embodiment after 8 the aroma container 20 is pushed onto the drinking straw 12. In this embodiment, the aroma channel 38 is formed between the wall 54 of the drinking straw 12 surrounding the inner flow channel 32 and the wall 56 of the aroma container 20 .

When designing 8 the aroma container can be made very small and light, which not only leads to a better overall aesthetic impression, but also prevents or at least makes it more difficult for the drinking straw to fall over in a drinking vessel.

In the embodiments according to Figures 9a to 16c the aroma container or a possible mouthpiece are not shown in each case, since further properties of the drinking device according to the invention are to be shown here. Nevertheless, it should be clear that an aroma container and optionally also a mouthpiece are also provided in all of these configurations.

In the embodiment according to Figures 9a and 9b the drinking device 10 according to the invention is shown in a drinking vessel 100 in each case. The drinking device 10 has a sealing element 58 which is firmly connected to the drinking straw 12 and is shown in the embodiment according to FIG Figures 9a and 9b consists of a rotationally symmetrical body which has a plurality of steps 60 all around. As per the examples in the Figures 9a and 9b is shown, the sealing element 58 can be placed tightly on drinking vessels with different opening dimensions, since the stepped sealing element 58 is automatically centered on a drinking opening of the drinking vessel 100 .

The embodiment after Figures 10a and 10b differs from the one after Figures 9a and 9b only because the sealing element 58 has a conical geometry here and can therefore also lie tightly on the drinking opening 60 regardless of the size of the circular drinking opening of the drinking vessel 100 .

The embodiments according to 9a, 9b , 10a and 10b are particularly suitable for drinking vessels with a circular geometry of the drinking opening 60. The embodiment shown in the Figures 11a, 11b and 11c is shown is more variable in this respect and can be used both in drinking vessels with a circular drinking opening and also with different geometries of the drinking opening. For this purpose, the elastic sealing element 62 is firmly attached to the drinking straw 12 and consists, for example, of elastic latex material, which can be stretched over the drinking opening of differently shaped drinking vessels and seals them tightly at the top. With a corresponding elasticity of the elastic sealing element 62, it can be slipped around the upper edge of the drinking vessel 100 with a correspondingly high elastic tension, so that the liquid cannot spill out of the drinking vessel 100 even with strong movement.

In the Figures 12a, 12b and 12c a drinking straw 12 is shown, which can be bent because it has a large number of intended bending points 64, preferably at regular intervals. By using the drinking straw, as in Figure 12c is shown, is kinked at several of the desired buckling points 64, this can be adapted to drinking vessels with different geometries.

The embodiment according to Figures 13a and 13b shows another possible embodiment of the drinking straw 12, which does not have defined desired kinks as in the embodiment according to FIG 12a provided, but is flexible and can therefore adapt to any shape. Alternatively, it is also possible to design the drinking straw in such a way that it can be adapted to the drinking vessel 100 in a desired shape. To do this, the user only has to exert a compressive force on the drinking straw 12 in the direction of the arrow B so that it bends and remains in this position, as shown in the example in FIG Figure 13b is shown.

Regardless of the embodiment according to the Figures 13a and 13b with a flexible drinking straw, a weight of 66 provided, which can also be present in all other embodiments. The weight is provided with a support surface 68 so that the weight rests flat on the base 70 of the drinking device 100 . The weight has the function of keeping the drinking straw immersed deep in the liquid in the drinking vessel 100 and can also be used to rigidly hold the end of the drinking straw facing away from the person drinking, so that the drinking straw does not rest against a side wall 72 of the drinking vessel 100 and stands as it were in the drinking vessel.

The use of a weight 66 with a rigid drinking straw is exemplified in FIGS 14 a and 14b. The rigid drinking straw 12 is held in the drinking vessel without tipping over.

In the Figures 15a, 15b and 15c a drinking straw 12 is shown which can be divided into two parts 12a and 12b. For this purpose, the two channel-shaped elements 12a, 12b are plugged into one another via a suitable tongue and groove connection and pushed against one another in the longitudinal direction. The divisible drinking straw Figures 15a to 15c has the advantage that it can be easily cleaned.

As an alternative to the in Figures 15a, 15b and 15c In the illustrated embodiment of the drinking straw consisting of two partial elements, the drinking straw can also have a film hinge 74 and a tongue and groove joint in the longitudinal direction, so that the drinking straw can be folded open and the wall of the drinking straw bordering the inner flow channel can be easily cleaned.

In the embodiment after 17 a drinking straw 12 is shown which has a tapered region 78 on which the aroma container 20 is located. The aroma container 20 is fixed in position in the longitudinal direction of the drinking straw 12 by the tapered area 78 . In addition, arises at Drinking process a Venturi effect, in which, as described at the outset, a suction effect is created in the narrowed area 78, which serves to suck in flavored air from the aroma container 20 from the air outlet opening 40 and through the aroma inlet opening 42 into the inner flow channel 32 of the drinking straw 12.

The substantially ring-shaped flavor container surrounding the drinking straw may be hinged via a film hinge to allow it to be fitted around the narrowed portion 78 of the drinking straw 12. Alternatively, the narrowed area can only be located in the area of the inner flow channel, while the outer contour is not narrowed there, so that an aroma container with a circular cross-section can be pushed onto the drinking straw in the longitudinal direction of the latter.

The embodiment after 18 differs from the one after 17 that here the drinking vessel 100 according to the invention is designed in one piece with the drinking device 10 . The inner flow channel 32 is formed between a side wall 72 of the drinking device and the wall 54 of the drinking straw, so that the drinking device 10 is an integral part of the drinking vessel 100 .

If the drinking vessel is also sealed tightly with a lid (not shown), the drinking vessel can also be tilted without the drinking liquid running out of the drinking straw.

The embodiment after 18 with a one-piece design of the drinking straw and drinking vessel is based, for example, on the design of the drinking device 10 17 on. However, it should be understood that the drinking device 10 configured integrally with the drinking vessel 100 can also be implemented in many of the foregoing configurations of the drinking device 10 . The same applies to the provision of a mouthpiece, which can also be provided in all embodiments.

An embodiment not shown in the figures provides an essentially ring-shaped aroma container that can be folded open into two half-shells with the help of a film hinge, which has a pointed, cannula-like area in the area of the air outlet opening and can be closed around a drinking straw, whereby the cannula-like, protruding area penetrates the wall of the drinking straw 12 and establishes the flow connection between the aroma chamber and the inner flow channel of the drinking straw. This embodiment has the advantage that the aroma container can be used with commercially available drinking straws, the outside diameter of which is matched. Closing the aroma container and penetrating the outer wall of the drinking straw not only establishes the flow connection between the aroma chamber and the inner flow channel of the drinking straw, but also fixes the aroma container in position relative to the drinking straw.

Reference List

10

drinking device

12

drinking straw

14

mouthpiece

16

recess

17

Drinking of the drinking straw

20

aroma container

22

conical mount

24

coupling element

26

admission

28

drinking of the mouthpiece

30

stop at the mouthpiece

32

inner flow channel

34

outer wall of the recording

36

inner wall of the recording

38

aroma channel

40

air outlet opening

42

aroma inlet opening

44

aroma chamber

46

carrier substance

48

headspace

50

air inlet opening

52

attack

54

wall of the drinking straw

56

wall of the aroma container

58

conical sealing element

60

drinking opening

62

elastic sealing element

64

nominal kink point

66

Weight

68

bearing surface

70

floor

72

Side wall

74

film hinge

76

tongue and groove joint

78

constricted area

100

drinking vessel

Claims (21)

Drinking device, consisting of - A drinking straw (12) with an inner flow channel (32) and a drinking end (18); such as - An aroma container (20) fixedly or detachably connected to the drinking straw (12) for adding an aroma substance to an air stream flowing out of the aroma container (20); whereby - the aroma container (20) comprises at least one air outlet opening (40) which is either in flow connection with at least one aroma inlet opening (42) in the inner flow channel (32) of the drinking straw (12) or is in flow connection with an aroma channel (38), which extends to the drinking end (18) of the drinking straw (12); whereby - the aroma container (20) is adapted to be coupled to the drinking straw (12) in such a way that when a negative pressure is applied to the drinking end (18) of the drinking straw (12) or when a negative pressure is applied to a drinking end (18) of the mouthpiece (14) connected to the drinking straw (12), the air flow exits through the at least one air outlet opening (40) from the aroma container (20); and - The aroma container (20) comprises an aroma chamber (44) in which there is a carrier substance (46) for an aroma substance, the carrier substance (46) having a specific flow resistance of less than 500 Pa·s/m and preferably less than 400 Pa·s/m and most preferably about 380 Pa·s/m. Drinking device according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the aroma container (20) can also be moved relative to the drinking straw, preferably in a longitudinal direction of the drinking straw (12), between an activated position and a non-activated position, with the at least one air outlet opening (40) being in flow connection with the at least an aroma inlet opening (42) or the aroma channel (38). A drinking device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the flavor container (20) comprises the mouthpiece (14). Drinking device according to claim 3
characterized in that
the aroma container (20) has a conical receptacle (22) for attaching the drinking straw (12). Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the drinking straw (12) has the aroma channel (38), which is provided separately from the inner flow channel (32) and ends at the drinking end (18) of the drinking straw (12). Drinking device according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that
the aroma container (20) comprises the aroma channel (38). Drinking device according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that
the aroma container (20) is formed between a first boundary wall (54) surrounding the inner flow channel (32) of the drinking straw (12) and a second boundary wall (56) formed by the aroma container. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a sealing element (58, 62) on the drinking straw (12), which extends around the drinking straw (12) and is suitable for being placed on drinking vessels (100) with different diameters. Drinking device according to claim 8,
characterized in that
the sealing element is a continuously conical or stepped conical, rotationally symmetrical element (58). Drinking device according to claim 8,
characterized in that
the sealing element is an elastic sealing grommet (62). Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the drinking straw (12a, 12b) can be divided in the longitudinal direction. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the drinking straw (12) has a film hinge (74) running in the longitudinal direction and can be folded open in the longitudinal direction. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the drinking straw (12) has a plurality of intended kinks (64). Drinking device according to one of claims 1 to 12,
characterized in that
the drinking straw (12) is elastically deformable. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a weight (66) at the end of the drinking straw (12) opposite the drinking end (18) in the longitudinal direction, which has a bearing surface (68) for placing on the inner bottom (70) of a drinking vessel (100) having. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the drinking straw (12) comprises a receiving device (26) for the aroma container (20), into which the aroma container can be inserted. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the drinking straw (12) comprises a first longitudinal section (12-1) and a second longitudinal section (12-2), the aroma container (20) between the first longitudinal section (12-1) and the second longitudinal section (12-2) of the drinking straw (12) is attachable. Drinking device according to one of claims 1 to 16,
characterized in that
the aroma container (20) is attached to the drinking straw (12), preferably clipped, the aroma container (20) comprising a penetrating element which is suitable for attaching the aroma container to a drinking straw (12) penetrating the drinking straw (12) and producing the aroma entry opening (42). Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the inner flow channel (32) of the drinking straw (12) has a cross-sectional constriction (78) in some areas in the area of the aroma inlet opening (42). Drinking vessel comprising - a bottom (70) and at least one side wall (72) extending upwardly from the bottom and defining a volume for receiving drinking liquid; and - A drinking device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims. Drinking vessel according to claim 20,
characterized in that
the drinking straw (12) of the drinking device (10) is firmly connected to the side wall (72) of the drinking vessel (100), with a side wall (72) of the drinking vessel (100) preferably directly delimiting the inner flow channel (32) in some areas.

Images