EP4251012A1

EP4251012A1 - Drinking device

Info

Publication number: EP4251012A1
Application number: EP20815775.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Magdalena Jüngst; Jannis KOPPITZ; Tim Jäger; Fabian SCHLANG
Original assignee: Air Up Group GmbH
Current assignee: Air Up Group GmbH
Priority date: 2020-11-26
Filing date: 2020-11-26
Publication date: 2023-10-04
Also published as: WO2022111808A1; CN116867401A; AU2020478809A1; US20240000219A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a drinking device for the retronasal olfaction of an aroma substance and comprises a fluid reservoir (12) which can be filled with drinking fluid; wherein the fluid reservoir (12) is preferably provided with attachment means (13) for attachment to a user's body or clothing or to a bag to be worn on the body; also comprises a mouthpiece (26) with a mouth end (28); further comprises a transporting line (20) for drinking fluid, the transporting line having a length of at least 15 cm, and preferably of at least 20 cm, and having an inner cavity (22), which provides a flow connection between the fluid reservoir (12) and the mouth end (28) of the mouthpiece (26); and additionally comprises an aroma container (24) for the addition of an aroma substance to an air stream flowing through the aroma container; wherein the aroma container (24) comprises at least one air-outlet opening (42), which is in flow connection either with at least one aroma-inlet opening (44) into the inner cavity (22) of the transporting line (20) for drinking fluid or with an aroma channel (84), which extends as far as the mouth end (28) of the mouthpiece (26).

Description

DRINKING DEVICE

field of invention

The invention relates to a drinking device for taking up an aromatic substance retronasally.

State of the art

There is an increasing need to take drinking liquids which on the one hand have a pleasant taste but on the other hand avoid health risks that can be caused by taking in substances or stabilizing agents dissolved in the drinking 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, which is why these flavored drinks also have a calorie count that many users reject.

A first step in solving the problem consists in supplying the flavor aroma to a beverage only immediately before it is consumed. US 2008/028353 A1 and US 2015/030 726 A1 are examples of dosing systems in which a flavoring substance that was originally intended separately is added to the drinking liquid immediately before the drink is consumed or also during the same is resolved. Although this measure can avoid problems such as the stabilization of the drinking liquid over an extended period of time, the problem of the undesired absorption of additives remains.

Since the olfactory sensory impression makes up a significant part of the gustatory perception when consuming food and drinks, previous systems try to influence the smell perceived when drinking. For this purpose, US Pat. No. 5,635,229 proposes an aroma element that can be fastened in a drinking container near the drinking opening so that the aroma element is in the immediate vicinity of the user's nose, who breathes through the nose while drinking and thus absorbs the scent.

The drinking vessel according to US Pat. No. 8,662,339 B2 also works according to the principle that an aromatic substance is inhaled through the nose while drinking.

WO 2020/126210 A1 describes a drinking device for receiving a flavoring substance retronasally. A replaceable aroma container through which air can flow can be fastened to the head part of a drinking device and an air duct for transporting aromatized air is provided, which runs from the aroma container in the direction of the end of the mouth.

Presentation of the invention

The invention is based on the object of proposing a drinking device that enables the user to have an improved taste experience and can be used in particular during various leisure activities.

This object is achieved by a drinking device having the features of claim 1. preferred Embodiments follow from the remaining claims and the following description.

The drinking device according to the invention for taking up an aromatic substance retronasally comprises a liquid reservoir that can be filled with drinking liquid, the liquid reservoir preferably being provided with attachment means for attachment to the body or clothing of a user. In addition, the drinking device comprises a mouthpiece, a transport line for drinking liquid with an internal cavity that represents a flow connection between the liquid reservoir and the mouth end of the mouthpiece, the transport line having a length of at least 15 cm and preferably a length of at least 20 cm, and an aroma container for adding an aroma substance to an air flow flowing through the aroma container, the aroma container comprising at least one air outlet opening which is either in flow connection with at least one aroma inlet opening in the inner cavity of the transport line for drinking liquid or is in flow connection with an aroma channel which is separate from the inner one Cavity of the transport line is and extends to the mouth end of the mouthpiece.

The drinking device for retronasal intake of an aromatic substance can therefore preferably be attached to the body or clothing of a user or to a bag to be worn on the body and can be carried, for example, as a backpack or in a commercially available backpack so that the user has both hands free during the drinking process . The drinking device can be designed so that the liquid reservoir can be integrated into a backpack or in a tote bag as part of a user's clothing. A flavoring canister is provided which is adapted to add a flavoring substance to an airflow flowing through the flavoring canister.

An essential aspect of the drinking device according to the invention is that the flavoring substance is taken up 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 (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 warm drinking liquid.

The retronasal intake of the aroma substance 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 that he is tasting the aroma, when in fact he is merely smelling it retronasally.

The human sense of taste is essentially shaped 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 when the gaseous phase of food and liquids rises in the pharynx via the retronasal route and reaches the olfactory mucosa. The sensors located there trigger neurological stimuli that create a taste impression in the brain. A person who is thus supplied with an aroma down the throat while drinking gets the impression that the drink is aromatised, since retronasal smelling in the brain gives the sensation that the drink is the aroma source, although the user has a pure, ie not flavored, pure liquid, such as water takes. When smelling when inhaling through the nose, the so-called orthonasal absorption of an aromatic substance, this impression does not arise to the same extent, since the sensory impression is linked to the respiratory rate and the user thus gets the correct impression that he only smells the aromatic substance, but not tastes like the postnasal shot.

The liquid reservoir, which is preferably designed to be refillable, can thus hold pure water or carbonated water, while the aromatic substance is transferred to the air flow flowing through the aroma container and the drinking liquid is either added to the drinking liquid before it is taken up by the user or is transported separately into the user's throat. For this purpose, the air outlet opening of the aroma container is either in flow connection with at least one aroma inlet opening in the inner cavity of the transport line for drinking liquid, or with an aroma channel in flow connection, which extends separately to the inner cavity of the transport line and to the mouth end of the mouthpiece.

The drinking device according to the invention is equally suitable for drinking liquids that have their own taste. The existing taste of the drinking liquid can either be enhanced by the flavoring substance from the flavoring container or supplemented by one or more additional flavoring components. If the liquid reservoir contains apple juice, for example, apple flavor can be added to enhance the taste experience, or orange flavor can be added, for example, to produce a flavor mixture. In this way, for example, alcoholic beverages such as beer can also be provided with additional flavoring substances, with the specific preferences of a user being able to be catered for by a corresponding Aroma container is used in the drinking device according to the invention. In addition, with the drinking device according to the invention, flavors that are not customary in the food sector can also be used, such as sandalwood, which is known from room scenting. The aroma supplied can be artificial or natural. It is possible to use flavors isolated or enriched from an artificial or natural source, as well as natural materials such as fresh or processed produce such as lemon peel, dandelion leaves, licorice or other flavored materials.

If the air outlet opening of the aroma container is connected to at least one aroma inlet opening in the inner cavity of the transport line for drinking liquids, the aromatized air is transported in the form of small air bubbles in the drinking liquid. At the mouth end of the mouthpiece, the drinkable liquid mixed with flavored air is thus taken up by the user.

The flavored air escapes in the mouth of the user in the form of air bubbles from the surrounding drinking liquid, so that this can rise retronasally via the pharynx to the olfactory mucosa. In the case of an aroma channel that is separate from the inner cavity transport line and extends to the mouth end of the mouthpiece, the aromatized air does not first have to be separated from the surrounding drinking liquid. A further advantage of a separate supply of the flavored air and the drinking liquid up to the mouthpiece is that a possibly negligible mass transfer between the air and the drinking liquid can be avoided.

What all the solutions described above have in common is that the geometries of the transport line for drinking liquid and the aroma inlet opening or the aroma channel are matched to one another in such a way that the aromatized liquid is released during the drinking process Air and drinking liquid are sucked in in the desired ratio to each other. However, it is essential that the transport line has a length of at least 15 cm and preferably at least 20 cm, so that the liquid reservoir of the drinking device according to the invention can be arranged at a sufficient distance from the mouthpiece, for example to be able to be carried comfortably on the back.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the liquid reservoir comprises flexible outer walls. If the liquid reservoir is provided in the form of an elastic bladder, this can collapse during the drinking process, whereas an air inlet opening is required for a liquid reservoir with a fixed internal volume in order to ensure the required pressure equalization during drinking.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the internal volume of the liquid reservoir is at least 400 ml, i.e. at least 400 ml of drinking liquid can be filled into the liquid reservoir.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aroma container comprises the mouthpiece. This solution has several advantages. On the one hand, the number of parts is reduced due to the integral design of the aroma unit with attached mouthpiece. Furthermore, it can be achieved that the air outlet opening from the aroma container is automatically aligned relative to the aroma inlet opening in the inner cavity of the transport line for drinking liquid. A further advantage of this solution is that the flavored air is only supplied to the drinking liquid in the immediate vicinity of the end of the mouth and therefore there is no undesired mass transfer between the air and the pure drinking liquid. However, the main advantage of this solution is that conventional Drinking devices can be converted and expanded in a simple manner by replacing existing mouthpieces with a mouthpiece equipped with the aroma container.

According to a preferred embodiment of the container, the aroma container can be moved between an activated position and a non-activated position, with an air outlet opening of the aroma container being in flow connection with the transport channel for drinking liquid in the activated position, and in the non-activated position no flow connection between the Air outlet opening and the transport channel for drinking liquid.

An air inlet opening in the aroma container for flow through the aroma container is preferably arranged in such a way that it is essentially sealed off in the non-activated position of the aroma container.

The possibility of moving the aroma container between an activated position and a non-activated position has the advantage that the period of use of an aroma container can be significantly extended if the drinking device is only used occasionally. If there is no flow connection between the air outlet opening and the transport channel for drinking liquid in the non-activated position, there is no flow through the aroma container and the aroma substance remains inside the aroma container for a significantly longer period of time.

When providing a drinking device in which the drinking container can be moved between an activated position and a non-activated position, the drinking device according to the invention further comprises an ergonomically shaped grip area on the side of the aroma container facing away from the mouthpiece. A user can use one hand hold the grip portion and use the other hand to slide the aroma canister between the activated position and the non-activated position. Alternatively, the ergonomically shaped handle area could also be designed in such a way that at least one of the two movements of the aroma container between the activated position and the non-activated position is possible using one-handed operation.

The drinking device can preferably be sealed against an unintentional escape of the drinking liquid in that, according to a first preferred alternative, a rotary valve is provided which tightly closes the transport line for drinking liquid when the rotary valve is actuated. A rotary valve can be used in the conventional manner in the transport line for drinking liquid, which is operated by the user by operating a stopcock or by operating a lever.

Since it is important for a user to be able to intuitively determine whether the transport line is blocked or not, according to a preferred variant the entire mouthpiece can be pivoted relative to the transport line, which clearly shows that the drinking device is not in the operating position .

An alternative way of sealing the drinking device according to the invention is to provide a bite valve at the end of the mouth. Bite valves are known in the art. Simply biting down on the mouthpiece opens the valve to drink from the drinking device. The provision of a bite valve has the advantage that no additional work step is required for the user. Once the user has become accustomed to actuating the bite valve during the drinking process, no further actuation step is required and, in particular, it cannot be forgotten after which Drinking process to actuate a separately provided sealing element.

A further preferred variant consists in combining the desired sealing of the transport line for drinking liquid with the sealing of the aroma container, so that not only can it be prevented that undesired drinking liquid can escape from the drinking device, but the aroma container also does not have air flowing through it. In order to achieve this, a sealing element in the form of a pinch seal is provided according to a preferred embodiment, the actuation of which is coupled to the movement of the aroma container between the activated position and the non-activated position. In this case, it makes sense to provide a pinch seal, since these are usually actuated by one or more pinch elements being actuated during a linear displacement movement by means of wedge-shaped contact geometries.

According to an alternative embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention, it comprises a sealing element in the form of a sealing stamp. The sealing plunger can be arranged in such a way that it not only closes the inner cavity of the transport line in sections, but at the same time also closes the aroma inlet opening into the inner cavity of the transport line. In this way, without the aroma container having to be movable between an activated position and a non-activated position, the flow through the aroma container can also be prevented at the same time as the transport line is sealed.

A further alternative for a sealing element of the drinking device according to the invention is that the sealing element comprises at least one one-way valve. A one-way valve can be provided in a very simple form in the form of a duckbill valve, which interrupts the flow of liquid to the end of the mouth and that Prevents water from entering the aroma container. For this purpose, the one-way valve is preferably provided upstream of the aroma inlet opening in the inner cavity of the transport line in the direction of flow. Alternatively, however, a further duckbill valve can also be provided downstream. The advantage of providing at least one one-way valve is that it does not have to be operated by the user in a separate step, but opens automatically when suction pressure is applied during the drinking process and automatically returns to the sealing position after the drinking process is complete.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drinking device according to the invention also includes a hand pump for building up pressure in the inner cavity of the transport line. The hand pump can be used to deliver drinking liquid to the mouth end of the mouthpiece even if this is significantly above the level of the liquid reservoir when using a long drinking liquid transport line. Alternatively, a hand pump can be used to pressurize a rigid liquid reservoir when the internal pressure in the liquid reservoir has dropped during the removal of drinking liquid and the user can only drink drinking liquid through the end of the mouth with increased suction pressure.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the liquid line is attached to the liquid reservoir in such a way that it can be pulled out of the liquid reservoir and pushed into the liquid reservoir a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the liquid line. In this way, the distance between the liquid reservoir and the mouthpiece of the drinking device can be adjusted to a user's wishes or special applications. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the transport line has a plurality of predetermined kinks. In this way, too, the distance between an outlet from the liquid reservoir and into the inner cavity of the transport line and the mouthpiece can be adjusted according to the needs and wishes of a user.

Another advantage of predetermined kinks is that the drinking device can be transported more safely, since unintentional pressure on the transport line, for example in a pocket during transport, does not damage the transport line because the transport line is subjected to the action of a force through the kinks can avoid or can adapt to a non-flat contact surface. Furthermore, the drinking device according to the invention can be transported or stored in a particularly space-saving manner.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transport line can be divided in the longitudinal direction of the transport line. This provides access to the internal cavity of the transport line, which can be easily cleaned.

It has proven to be particularly suitable if the transport line has a film hinge running in the longitudinal direction and can be folded open in the longitudinal direction. In this way, the two individual elements of the transport direction can be folded open, but are permanently connected to one another. After unfolding, the two ring-shaped sections can be cleaned under running water, for example. If the transport line is made of a sufficiently elastic material such as silicone, the transport line, which is slotted in the longitudinal direction along a seam, can be folded open elastically and automatically returns elastically after a cleaning process Starting position back in which, despite the seam running in the longitudinal direction of the transport channel, a liquid transported in the inner cavity does not escape unintentionally at the seam when used as intended.

According to a preferred embodiment, the drinking device according to the invention also includes a receiving device for the aroma container, into which the aroma container can be inserted and which can be fastened to the transport line. According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the aroma container can be attached to the transport line, preferably designed to be clipped on, the aroma container comprising a penetration element which is suitable for penetrating the transport line when the aroma container is attached to the transport line and the aroma inlet opening to manufacture. In this way, the aroma container can be used in a conventional drinking device, since the transport line 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 can have the additional function of fixing the position of the aroma container on the transport line.

The drinking device according to the invention preferably comprises a receiving device for the aroma container, into which the aroma container can be inserted and which can be fastened to the transport line. The receiving device thus acts as a receiving adapter for the aroma container, into which the aroma container can be easily inserted and removed again, so that a user is easily able to exchange aroma containers with different aroma directions for one another. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drinking device according to the invention further comprises a water filter in flow connection with the transport line for drinking liquid. The provision of a water filter has the advantage that, for example when using the drinking device according to the invention on a hike, the liquid reservoir can be refilled with water from a suitable flowing body of water and possible unwanted bacteria, particles and suspended particles can be filtered out so that the user can use them during the drinking process does not consume.

The liquid reservoir of the drinking device according to the invention preferably comprises a heat-insulating cover. This serves to keep cold drinking liquid cool for longer in a warm environment, but also made it possible to fill the liquid reservoir with a warm drinking liquid that stays warm longer, since the heat-insulating cover improves heat transport between the inside of the liquid reservoir and the Outside atmosphere is significantly slowed down. In the same way, the transport line can also have a heat-insulating casing which either surrounds the inner cavity or is provided as an additional element around the wall surrounding the inner cavity. A separately provided, heat-insulating cover can be permanently attached to the transport channel for drinking liquid or be detachable from it.

There is an aroma chamber inside the aroma container. In addition to a carrier substance, there is preferably also a headspace between the carrier substance and a wall of the aroma container closing off the aroma chamber. The provision of a head space improves the mixing of the flavored air in the flavor container. The flavoring substance can consist of numerous chemical compounds whose mass transfer behavior depends on the Carrier substance is different in the headspace 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^ · s). At the same time, the air permeability of the non-woven material should not be higher than 5001/(m^·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 a different chemical structure that influences their behavior in terms of mass transfer and flow properties, so that a separate optimization process can be carried out for each individual flavor in order to achieve 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 transport line, as a result of which one is perceived as particularly pleasant by a user weight distribution results. The outer cross section of the transport line can deviate from an exact circular shape, and the geometry of the aroma container can also deviate from an exact circular shape in order to interact with a complementary shaped transport line in such a way that only a single radial orientation of the aroma container relative to the transport line is possible, whereby the exact radial position of the aroma container can be defined relative to the transport line. In this way it can be ensured that the air outlet opening of the aroma container corresponds to the aroma inlet opening in the inner cavity of the transport line for drinking liquid in relation to the exact radial position. If the aroma container can be moved between an activated position and a non-activated position, the aroma container can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the transport line, but cannot be moved radially relative to the transport line, whereby the flow connection between the air outlet opening and the transport line for drinking liquid is interrupted by a simple displacement movement and can be restored.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the device according to the invention result from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings show:

1 schematically shows the essential components of the drinking device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a drinking device according to FIG. 1 with additional components;

3a and 3b show a further variant of the drinking device according to the invention with a rigid liquid reservoir; 4a, 4b and 4c an embodiment with a divisible transport line, wherein FIG. 4a shows an overall view, FIG. 4b shows the divisibility of the transport line and FIG. 4c shows an enlarged view of the area marked in FIG. 4b;

5 shows a first alternative embodiment of a foldable transport line;

FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c show a further alternative of a bendable transport line, with FIG. 6a showing an overall view, FIG. 6b showing the transport line in a sectional view and FIG. 6c showing an outside view of the transport line in the bent state;

7a and 7b show a further embodiment of a transport line which can be expanded in the longitudinal direction;

8a and 8b show a further embodiment of an expandable transport line;

FIGS. 9a and 9b show a possible attachment of an aroma container to the transport line, with FIG. 9a showing a partial section through the transport line and the aroma container attached thereto and FIG. 9b showing an exploded view of the adapter used here;

10a and 10b show a first alternative of a shut-off device, with FIG. 10a showing the unactuated state and FIG. 10b showing the actuated state in partial section;

11 shows a sectional view of a second alternative shut-off device; 12 shows a sectional view of a third alternative shut-off device;

13a, 3b and 3c show a fourth alternative shut-off device, wherein FIG. 13a shows a schematic external view, FIG. 13b shows a partial sectional view in the non-blocked state and FIG. 13c shows a partial sectional view in the blocked state;

14a and 14b show a fifth alternative embodiment of a sealing device;

15a and 15b show a structural unit for retrofitting existing drinking devices;

16a, 16b and 16c show an alternative way of attaching the aroma container to a transport line, with FIG. 15a schematically showing the non-assembled state and FIGS. 15b and 15c showing the actuation of the aroma container in the assembled state; and

17a and 17b in an external view and a sectional view, an alternative embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention with an aroma channel running to the end of the mouth.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Fig. 1 shows a schematic external view of the essential components of the drinking device 10 according to the invention. The drinking device consists of a liquid reservoir 12, which can be attached to the body or clothing of a user using optional attachment elements 13, and a transport line 20 with an inner cavity 22 , Through which the liquid stored inside the liquid reservoir 12 towards can be transported to a mouthpiece 26 with a mouth end 28.

The liquid reservoir 12 may suitably have an insulating layer 14 which delays the transfer of heat between the inner cavity of the liquid reservoir and the outside atmosphere, so that cold or hot beverages which are filled into the liquid reservoir retain the desired temperature difference with the outside atmosphere longer. The transport line can also be insulated in the same way.

A screw cap 16 , which closes a filling opening in the liquid reservoir 12 , is provided so that the drinking liquid can be conveniently filled into the liquid reservoir 12 by a user.

The transport line 20 is either fastened tightly to an outlet opening 18 of the liquid reservoir, or the transport line 20 extends through the outlet opening 18 and into the interior of the liquid reservoir 12 . If the transport line extends into the interior of the liquid reservoir, the length of the transport line between the liquid reservoir and the end of the mouth 26 can be adjusted to suit a user's needs.

All embodiments of the invention have in common that the length of the transport line 20 between the outlet opening 18 and the mouthpiece 26 is preferably more than 35 cm, since otherwise the drinking device is unwieldy for a user.

The attachment of the transport line 20 to the liquid reservoir 12 can be designed in a non-detachable manner. Alternatively, the transport line 20 can also be attached to the liquid reservoir 12 in a detachable manner. if the transport line 20 is detachably attached to the liquid reservoir, the fixation can be realized via a screw thread, a bayonet connection, the provision of clamps or hose clamps, but also by an oversize fit and pressing.

The core element of the drinking device according to the invention is an aroma container 24, which in the present exemplary embodiment is provided close to the mouthpiece 26, but can also be provided in the same way at or near the outlet opening 18 of the liquid reservoir 12 or in the course of the at least 15 cm long transport line 20. The aroma container serves to add an aroma substance to an air flow flowing through the aroma container. For this purpose, the aroma container has at least one air outlet opening, which is either in flow connection with an aroma inlet opening in the inner cavity 22 of the transport line 20 for drinking liquid, or is in flow connection with an aroma channel, which is separate from the inner cavity 22 of the transport line up to the mouth end 28 of the Mouthpiece extends. In this way, the flavoring substance is absorbed retronasally and, when drinking, reaches the user's mouth together with the drinking liquid, where the flavoring substance then rises retronasally via the pharynx to the olfactory mucosa, is captured by the receptors located there and is perceived by the user as a taste. The preferred structure of the aroma container will be explained in more detail in the context of the description of further embodiments.

The embodiment of the drinking device 10 according to FIG. 2 differs from that according to FIG. 1 in only a few aspects, so that only the specific differences will be discussed here.

In the drinking device according to FIG. 2, an attachment element 13 is shown schematically, which allows the attachment of the Allows liquid reservoirs 12 on a user's belt.

In addition, an ergonomic handle 30 is provided in the drinking device according to FIG. 2, which is easy for a user to grip and is particularly useful when the aroma container 24 can be moved in the direction of arrow A between an activated position and a non-activated position. A user can thus grip the ergonomic handle 30 with one hand and move the aroma container 24 in the direction of arrow A with the other hand between the active position and the non-active position. Flavored air can only escape through the air outlet opening of the aroma container in the active position, while the air outlet opening is closed in the non-activated position, which means that the aroma substance in the aroma container can be retained even during longer periods in which the drinking device is not used .

Another aspect of the drinking device shown in FIG. 2 is the provision of a hand pump 32 which can be operated by a user in order to either pressurize the liquid reservoir 12 or to convey the drinking liquid towards the mouth end 28 .

In the figures 3a and 3b liquid reservoirs 12 are shown, which are not flexible, but represent rigid vessels. By providing a flexible transport line 20, it can be pulled out of the liquid reservoir through the outlet opening 18 and reinserted, as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. A relatively short transport line 20 is shown for the sake of simplicity. The design of the aroma container 24 and mouthpiece 26 can be consistent with that in the embodiments of Figs.

In contrast to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, no separate filling opening for drinking liquid is provided in the liquid reservoir 12 . The screw cap 16, which is intended for filling in drinking liquid, is provided with the outlet opening 18 for the transport line 20. Various alternative ways in which the transport line can be designed so that the transport line, the length of which according to the invention is particularly preferably more than 35 cm, can be accommodated essentially in the interior of the liquid reservoir 12 will be described later using various embodiments.

However, the combined provision of a screw cap for the filling opening and the provision of an outlet opening for the transport line in the screw cap can also be used in the same way with a flexible liquid reservoir.

4a to 4c show a way in which the transport line 20 can be designed so that it can be cleaned more easily. The drinking device according to the invention is primarily aimed at users who want to drink pure water but want to add certain flavors to it. In the same way, the drinking device according to the invention is also suitable for other cold and warm drinks that require cleaning of the liquid reservoir but also of the inner cavity 22 of the transport line after use. For this purpose, the transport line 20 can be divided into two parts 20a and 20b. In this case, the two channel-shaped elements 20a and 20b are inserted into one another via suitable tongue and groove connections and displaced in relation to one another in the longitudinal direction. The divisible Transport line 20 according to FIGS. 4a to 4c can thus be easily cleaned.

As an alternative to the embodiment of the transport line 20 shown in FIGS. 4a to 4c, this can also have a film hinge and a tongue and groove connection point in the longitudinal direction, so that the transport line 20 can be folded open and the wall of the transport line delimiting the inner cavity 22 can be easily cleaned . This film hinge can also be designed in such a way that the transport line 20 is made of a flexible material such as silicone, so that it can be folded open.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, the transport line 20 has accordion-like kinks 34, as are known from plastic drinking straws. In contrast to plastic drinking straws, however, a large number of such kinks 34 are provided, so that the transport line can be folded up in any way inside a liquid reservoir and/or outside the liquid reservoir and is not damaged in the process. The solution shown in FIG. 5 is of interest when the sections of the transport line located between the kinks 34 themselves are not sufficiently flexible for the transport line to be able to assume a strongly curved or even folded shape. The kinks serve to individually adjust the transport line both in relation to the desired length and in relation to the position of the liquid reservoir relative to the user's mouth.

An alternative design of the transport line 20 is shown in FIGS. 6a to 6c, which has a large number of constrictions 36 which act as predetermined kinks, as can be seen in the illustration according to FIG. 6c. By the transport line with a corresponding number of Is provided predetermined kinks, this can be adapted to different liquid reservoirs with different internal geometry, but also take a course outside of the liquid reservoir depending on the attachment of the liquid reservoir to the body or clothing of a user in order to easily reach the user's mouth. If, as shown schematically in FIG. 6b, the constrictions 36 do not reduce the volume of the inner cavity 22 to an excessive extent, there is only a small additional pressure loss for the transport of the drinking liquid through the inner cavity of the transport line.

A further possible configuration of the transport line 20 is that it is configured in such a way that the length of the transport line can be reduced and increased. The design of the transport line as an expandable hose 38 shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b can be provided only partially, or over the entire length of the transport line 20.

Another alternative design option for the entire transport line 20 or just parts of it is to design it as a flexible, spiral-shaped hose 50, as shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b, which also allows the distance between the mouthpiece 26 and the liquid reservoir to be varied can be customized to a user's needs.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 9a and 9b, the aroma container 24 does not extend around the transport line 20, but is inserted into an adapter 40. For this purpose, an aroma container is inserted into the section 40b of the adapter in the direction of the arrow C, as a result of which the connection shown in FIG. 9a is produced between the adapter and the aroma container. As shown in the sectional representation in FIG. 9 a , the aroma container 24 has an air outlet opening 42 which, via an aroma line 46 , reaches the aroma inlet opening 44 which opens into the inner cavity 22 of the transport line 20 .

The adapter 40 is designed in several parts and can consist of the parts 40a and 40b, which are plugged around the transport line 20. The flavoring line 46 can include a penetrating element that is attached to the transport line when the two parts 40a and 40b of the adapter are attached 20 around the wall of the transport line penetrates and thus the aroma inlet opening 44 is produced.

The advantage of the design according to FIGS. 9a and 9b is that with the aid of the adapter, any fastening position can be selected in the longitudinal course of the transport line. In addition, existing systems with a drinking tube as the transport line can be easily retrofitted, since existing systems are not provided with an aroma inlet opening 44 that is automatically produced when the adapter is attached to the transport line.

In Fig. 9b, a fastening attachment 48 is also shown, which when using an aroma container that is not completely ring-shaped can have a cross-sectional shape that deviates from the circular ring shape, as a result of which the aroma container 24 can only be used in a defined rotational position relative to the adapter, in which the air outlet opening 42 from the aroma container 24 is aligned with the aroma line 46 in the adapter.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 10a and 10b, a shut-off device is provided which is coupled to a displacement of the aroma container 24 in the direction of the arrow A. Here is the aroma container of FIG. 10a in the Drawing level of the figure further up and thus in the activated position in which there is a flow connection between the air outlet opening from the aroma container and an air inlet opening either in the inner cavity of the transport line or in a separately provided aroma line. The shut-off device comprises at least one squeezing element 52, which is/are pushed towards one another when the aroma container 24 is moved downwards from the activated position to the non-activated position and, as shown in FIG. 10b, the flexible outer wall of the transport line Squeeze 22 so that the inner cavity 22 is closed in some areas. A user therefore does not have to actuate a shut-off device separately, but this works automatically as soon as the aroma container is moved between the activated and the non-activated position. The squeezing elements can be elastically deformed so that they automatically return to the open position shown in FIG. 10a as soon as the aroma container is pushed back into the activated position. However, a suitable elastic element can also be provided, which builds up a pretension with which the two pinch elements are pressed apart.

An alternative configuration of a shut-off device is shown schematically in the sectional view in FIG. An aroma container 24 is shown schematically here, the air outlet opening 42 of which is connected via an aroma line 46 to the air inlet opening 44 in the inner cavity 22 of the transport line 20 . The shut-off device works in such a way that, in the direction of arrow B, a crushing plunger 54 is moved from a first position not engaging with the outer wall of the transport line 20 to the second position shown in Fig. 11, in which the transport line is compressed in sections so that in the area of the Aroma inlet opening 44, the aroma line 46 is tightly closed. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIGS. 10a and 10b, in which the shut-off device only prevents the transport of liquid through the inner cavity of the transport line, the shut-off device according to FIG the undesired escape of flavoring substance from the flavoring container 24 is also prevented, which in the embodiment according to FIGS. 10a and 10b is effected by the displacement of the flavoring container between the activated position and the non-activated position.

Another possible embodiment of a shut-off device is shown in FIG. In the embodiment according to FIG. 12, there is at least one one-way valve 56 in the inner cavity 22 of the transport line 20, which only opens when suction pressure is applied to the mouthpiece 26 and allows liquid to pass in the direction of the mouthpiece. The provision of the one-way valve configured as a duckbill valve in FIG. 12 has the effect that not only is the ingress of undesired substances through the mouthpiece into the transport line prevented, but the flow of liquid to the mouth end can also be interrupted.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, two duckbill valves are provided, located upstream and downstream relative to the aroma entry port 44 into the interior cavity 22. As shown in FIG. The two one-way valves therefore also have the additional effect that when the drinking device is not in use, an undesired escape of aroma and/or the entry of drinking liquid into the aroma container 24 is prevented.

In Fig. 12, the aroma container is shown in partial section, which is essentially a ring around the Transport line 20 can extend around. The aroma container 24 has a hollow chamber 82 in which there is a carrier material 58 that is impregnated with the aroma substance. The carrier material 58 can be fleece material. Above the carrier material 58 there is a head space 60 which is only filled with air and serves to homogenize the flavored air. The aroma container can be easily actuated with the aid of a surrounding grip edge 64 and, for example, also, as described in some of the previous embodiments, can be moved in the direction of the arrow A between an activated and a non-activated position. 12 shows the activated position in which the air outlet opening 42 of the aroma container 24 is in flow communication with the aroma inlet opening 44 in the inner cavity 22 of the transport line 20 .

The aroma container consists of the housing halves 62a and 62b, which are closed after inserting the carrier material and impregnating the carrier material with aroma substance.

A further alternative for a shut-off device is shown in FIGS. 13a to 13c. A shut-off valve 66 is used, which can be pivoted between the positions shown in FIGS. 13b and 13c. In the position shown in Figure 13b, the passage 70 through a rotatable member 68 of the check valve 66 is aligned with the internal cavity 22 such that liquid can flow through the internal cavity 22 from the liquid reservoir to the mouthpiece 26. In the position shown in FIG. 13c, the structural unit consisting of aroma container 24 and mouthpiece 26 is pivoted by 90° relative to the adjacent course of the liquid line 20. As a result, the passage 70 is no longer in fluid communication with the internal cavity 22 of the transport conduit through the rotatable member 68 and thus the liquid supply to the mouthpiece 26 is interrupted. As shown in FIGS. 13b and 13d, the two operating states can be detected very easily by the user, so that there is no uncertainty as to whether the shut-off device is open or closed.

An alternative design of a check valve 66 having a rotatable member 68 and a passage 70 is shown in Figures 14a and 14b. 14a shows the state in which liquid can flow through the inner cavity 22 of the transport line 20. FIG. In this operating state, the shut-off valve 66 has been brought into the open state with the aid of a lever 71 . Not only is the flow connection for drinking liquid within the inner cavity 22 through the passage 70, but the aroma line 46 is also connected to a connecting line 47, which opens into the passage 70, so that in the open state shown in Fig. 14a the sealing device not only simultaneously allows liquid flow, but also allows flavored air to enter the liquid flow flowing through the internal cavity.

If, as shown in Fig. 14b, the actuating lever 71 is pivoted into the closed position, both the flow connection in the inner cavity 22 is interrupted by the rotatable element 68 and the flow connection between the aroma line 46 and the connecting line 47 into the passage 70 interrupted. The user can thus prevent the undesired passage of liquid and the escape of aroma at the same time by actuating the lever.

An embodiment is shown in FIGS. 15a and 15b, which allows the convenient conversion of existing drinking devices, for example in the form of an existing drinking backpack enable. A structural unit 72 consisting of the mouthpiece 26, the aroma container 24 and a connecting element 74 is provided, which has a geometry similar to a piece of pipe and is suitable for being pushed into the transport line or slipped over it, where it is held in place by friction. In addition, a holding tab 76 is provided, which establishes a fixed connection between the transport line 20 and the component 72, so that the structural unit 72 is firmly connected to the transport line. The advantage of this design is that the assembly 72 can be easily cleaned. In addition, the user can decide individually whether he wants to drink his drink with or without an attachment and thus with or without flavoring.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 16a to 16c, the aroma container is attached at any point along the path between the liquid reservoir and the end of the mouth. For this purpose, an insertion insert 78a, 78b is provided on both sides of the aroma container 20, with the aid of which the aroma container can either be inserted into two sections of the transport line 20 or attached to the outlet opening of the liquid reservoir and attached to the transport line on the opposite side. The push-in inserts 78a, 78b are the ends of an element penetrating the ring-shaped aroma container, in which element the aroma inlet opening 44 is located. In addition, an upper stop 80a and a lower stop 80b are provided. The upper stop and the lower stop serve both as a stop when the transport line sections 20 are pushed onto the slide-in inserts and as a stop when the aroma container 24 is displaced in the direction of arrow A between an activated and a non-activated position. The activated position and the non-activated position are shown in FIGS. 16b and 16c, in which the aroma container 24 rests either at the lower stop 80b or at the upper stop 80b abuts, thus making it easier for the user to move in the direction of arrow A between the activated position and the non-activated position.

A further embodiment is shown in FIGS. 17a and 17b, in which the transport line 20 has a separately provided aroma channel 84, in which the aromatized air is transported to the end 28 of the mouth. The aroma container in the embodiment according to FIG. 17a does not have a completely circular shape, but has an inner free cross-section which has the shape of a drop and thus deviates from a circular ring shape. In the area of a support flange 90 as a seat for the aroma container, the transport line is also provided with a teardrop shape, so that the aroma container can only be inserted into the drinking device in the correct angular position relative to the transport line 20 . The mouth end 28, on the other hand, can again be designed in the shape of a circular ring. In addition, a cover 88 is provided with which the drinking device can be closed at the mouth end 28 when it is not in use.

17b shows how, after the aroma container has been correctly inserted, the air outlet opening 42 opens into the aroma channel 84, which extends parallel to the inner cavity 22 to the mouth end 28 of the drinking device. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 17a and 17b, which incidentally can also be realized in all those previously described embodiments in which the aroma container is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the mouthpiece, the aromatized air and the drinking liquid reach the user’s mouth separately, so that no separation of the liquid and the flavored air has to take place in the oral cavity.

Also, the design of a flavor container that is ring-shaped but deviates from a full ring shape to accommodate the Defining correct angular position can be implemented in all of the previous embodiments.

The insulation of the liquid reservoir described in connection with FIG. 1 can be provided by elements such as bubble wrap or a neoprene sleeve. In the same way, the transport line 20 can also be insulated so that, for example when hiking, the drinking liquid is not heated up by the sun's rays, or at least is heated up more slowly.

In addition to the special embodiments for shut-off devices described above, a bite valve could also be provided in which pressure is exerted on the valve with the teeth during the drinking process, as a result of which the inner cavity opens and the drinking liquid can be sucked in.

The attachment element 13 illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 can be used to configure the drinking device according to the invention in the form of a drinking backpack, a drinking belt or a fanny pack.

In order to have different flavors available during leisure time activities, it is possible according to another embodiment of the invention, not shown, to attach another aroma container that is not currently in use firmly to the liquid reservoir. In this case, the air outlet opening is preferably closed at the same time, so that no undesired aroma escape can take place.

A water filter can also be provided in the area of the transport line 20, so that impure water can be freed from bacteria, for example, and suspended matter can be removed. In the same way, however, limescale or other undesirable water components can also be removed in a targeted manner. The water filter can use activated carbon or a membrane known in the art for filtering water.

Claims

EXPECTATIONS

1. Drinking device for receiving a drinking liquid retronasally, comprising: a liquid reservoir (12) that can be filled with drinking liquid; the liquid reservoir (12) preferably being provided with attachment means (13) for attachment to a user's body or clothing or to a bag to be worn on the body; a mouthpiece (26) having a mouth end (28); a transport line (20) for drinking liquid with an internal cavity (22) which is a flow connection between the

liquid reservoir (12) and the mouth end (28) of the mouthpiece (26); wherein the transport line has a length of at least 15 cm and preferably at least 20 cm; and a flavoring canister (24) for adding a flavoring substance to an airflow flowing through the flavoring canister; wherein the aroma container (24) comprises at least one air outlet opening (42) which is either in flow connection with at least one aroma inlet opening (44) in the inner cavity (22) of the transport line (20) for drinking liquid, or in flow connection with an aroma channel (84). is, which extends to the mouth end (28) of the mouthpiece (26).

2. Drinking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid reservoir (12) comprises flexible outer walls.

3. Drinking device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the aroma container (24) comprises the mouthpiece (26). 4. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aroma container (24) is movable between an activated position and a non-activated position; where in the activated position the

Air outlet opening (42) of the aroma container (24) is in flow connection with the transport line (20) for drinking liquid; and in the non-activated position no flow communication between the

Air outlet opening (42) and the transport line (20) for drinking liquid.

5. Drinking device according to claim 4, further comprising an ergonomically shaped grip area (30) on the mouthpiece (26) facing away from the aroma container (24).

6. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a bite valve at the mouth end (28).

7. Drinking device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, further comprising a sealing element which comprises a rotary valve (66) which can be actuated preferably by pivoting the transport line (20) in the region of the rotary valve (66) or by pivoting a lever (71). is.

The drinking device of claim 4 or 5, further comprising a sealing member comprising a pinch seal (52) actuation of which is coupled to movement of the aroma canister (24) between the activated position and the non-activated position.

9. Drinking device according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a sealing element which comprises a sealing stamp (54). 10. Drinking device according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a sealing element comprising at least one one-way valve (56).

11. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a hand pump (32) for building up pressure in the inner cavity (22) of the transport line (20).

12. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport line (20) is attached to the liquid reservoir (12) in such a way that the transport line (20) can be pulled out of the liquid reservoir and pushed into the liquid reservoir a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the transport line .

13. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport line (20) has a plurality of predetermined kinks (34; 36).

14. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport line (20) can be divided in the longitudinal direction of the transport line.

15. Drinking device according to claim 14, characterized in that the transport line (20) has a film hinge running in the longitudinal direction and can be folded open in the longitudinal direction.

16. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a receiving device

(40) for the aroma container (24), in which the Aroma container (24) can be used and which can be attached to the transport line (20).

17. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a water filter in

Flow connection with the transport line (20) for drinking liquid.

18. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid reservoir (12) comprises a heat-insulating cover (14).

19. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment means (13) comprise means for attachment to a belt or means for hanging over the shoulder of a user or means for carrying as a backpack.