Closure structure and drinking device

Abstract

The present invention provides a closure structure (10) and a drinking device, the closure structure being attachable to and detachable from a refillable vessel (20) for containing a liquid, the closure structure comprising: a drinking straw (12) comprising an inner conduit, a first end and a second end in a longitudinal direction of the drinking straw; an attachment structure (32) for attaching a replaceable fragrance container (30) having an internal fragrance chamber, an air inlet opening (42) and an air outlet opening (40); a securing element (46) comprising an air duct (52) and a fluid guide duct (50) in fluid communication with the inner duct (14) of the drinking straw (12). The closure structure comprises a movable element (48) attached to and rotationally movable relative to a fixed element (46). The movable element (48) comprises a spout section (54) and at least one stop member (78) for limiting a relative movement of the movable element (48) with respect to the fixed element (46) such that the movable element is rotationally movable with respect to the fixed element between a storage position and an operating position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a closure structure that is attachable to and detachable from a refillable vessel for containing liquid, and a drinking device having such a closure structure. Background Art

[0002] There is a growing demand for drinking liquids that, on the one hand, have a pleasant taste and, on the other hand, avoid the health risks associated with the ingestion of aromatic substances or stabilizers dissolved in the drinking liquid, while also avoiding the intake of increased calories.

[0003] As a result, water with a slight fruity aroma has become very popular. However, even in this aromatized water, some undesirable additives, such as stabilizers and a certain proportion of sugar, are present. This is why these aromatized beverages, which also contain a certain amount of calories, are rejected by many consumers. A first step in addressing this problem is to add flavoring aromas to the beverage just before consuming it. The aromatic substances, initially provided separately, are then delivered to the drinking liquid immediately before or during consumption and dissolved in it. While this measure can avoid problems such as stabilizing the drinking liquid over a long period of time, the problem of unwanted ingestion of additives still exists.

[0004] Since the sense of smell plays an important role in the perception of taste when enjoying food and beverages, systems have so far attempted to influence the smell perceived when drinking. To this end, US Pat. No. 5,635,229 proposes an aroma element that can be attached to a drinking container near a drinking opening so that the aroma element is in close proximity to the user's nose, and the user breathes through the nose while drinking, thereby inhaling the aroma through the nose.

[0005] A drinking device for retronasal perception of aromatic substances has been proposed. The device comprises a storage container for a drinking liquid, at least one aroma container through which air can flow, and a delivery channel for the drinking liquid to flow from the storage container to a mouthpiece of the drinking device. Furthermore, an air channel is provided for delivering aromatized air, wherein the air channel extends from the aroma container to the delivery channel for the drinking liquid or to the mouthpiece. Such a drinking device is known from WO 2019 / 016096 A1.

[0006] WO 2021 / 233516 A1 describes an aroma container and a drinking device, which are also intended for retronasal perception of aroma.

[0007] A key aspect of this drinking system is that the aroma is perceived retronasally. During drinking, the aroma arrives with the drinking liquid in the user's mouth, then ascends through the pharynx and back into the olfactory mucosa (olfactory area), where it is captured by receptors located there and perceived by the user. This exploits the close connection between smell and taste. Therefore, even if the user is actually only experiencing a retronasal aroma, they still have the impression of savoring the aroma.

[0008] The human sense of taste is essentially determined by retronasal olfaction. The receptors on the tongue can only distinguish between sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami flavors, while differentiated tastes are produced by the gas phase of food and liquids in the pharynx rising via the retronasal route and reaching the olfactory mucosa. Sensors located there trigger neural processes that create a taste impression in the brain. Therefore, people whose pharynx is delivered an aroma while drinking will get the impression that the beverage is aromatized, because the retronasal olfactory process creates a perception in the brain that the beverage is the source of the aroma, even if the user ingests a pure and unadulterated liquid, i.e., a non-aromatized liquid such as water.

[0009] If the odor is perceived by inhalation through the nose, which is called nasal perception of the aromatic substance, since this sensation is related to the breathing rate, this impression does not occur to the same extent and the user therefore gets the correct impression that he is only smelling the aromatic substance and not tasting it as in the case of retronasal perception.

[0010] In a drinking device according to WO 2020 / 126210 A1, an aroma container is described that can be axially shifted relative to the mouthpiece between a position in which air cannot pass through the aroma container and a position in which the aroma container operates to allow aromatized air to enter a delivery channel for drinking liquid, so that the aromatized air can be administered orally and perceived by the user retronasally. In order to bring the drinking device into the operating position, several independent steps need to be performed. In the first step, the lid must be opened, for example by unscrewing it. In the second step, the aroma container must be transferred from the storage position to the operating position, in which the aroma container is activated. After drinking, the aroma container must be transferred back to the storage position and the lid must be closed. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a closure structure that is more convenient to use.

[0012] This object is achieved by the closure structure and drinking device proposed by the present invention.

[0013] The closure structure according to the present invention is attachable to and detachable from a refillable container for holding liquids and includes: a drinking straw comprising an internal conduit, a first end, and a second end in a longitudinal direction of the drinking straw; an attachment structure for attaching a replaceable fragrance container, the fragrance container having an internal fragrance chamber, an air inlet opening, and an air outlet opening; a fixed element comprising an attachment component configured to attach to the first end of the drinking straw or integrally formed with the drinking straw, the fixed element further comprising an air conduit and a fluid guide conduit in fluid communication with the internal conduit of the drinking straw; and a movable element attached to the fixed element and rotatably movable relative to the fixed element, the movable element comprising a spout section and at least one stop component for limiting relative movement of the movable element relative to the fixed element, such that the movable element is rotatably movable relative to the fixed element between a storage position and an operating position.

[0014] According to the present invention, a closure structure is provided, comprising a fixed element and a movable element. A drinking straw may be attached to the fixed element, or the fixed element and the drinking straw may be integrally formed. The movable element is attached to the fixed element and is rotationally movable relative to the fixed element. The movable element includes a spout section and at least one stop member. The movable element is rotationally movable relative to the fixed element and is movable between a stored position and an operating position.

[0015] Since the fixed element also includes a fluid guiding conduit that is fluidically connected to the internal conduit of the drinking straw, the operating position of the movable element including the spout section is such that the fluid guiding conduit in the fixed element needs to be fluidically connected to the spout section so that the user can drink once the closure structure is attached to the refillable container containing the drinking liquid.

[0016] Furthermore, the closure structure is ready for use in a drinking device for retronasal perception of aromatic substances. It includes suitable attachment structures for attaching a replaceable aroma container, and the fixing element also includes air or any other component for establishing communication with air. Thus, a replaceable aroma container adapted to the geometry of the closure structure can be attached to the closure structure, and air entering the aroma container's air inlet opening, flowing through the aroma container's internal fragrance chamber, and being drawn out of the aroma container's air outlet opening can enter the air duct, where the drawn-in aromatized air enters the fluid guide duct and becomes finely dispersed in the drinking liquid, or can enter the air duct and be guided toward the spout section separately from the drinking liquid.

[0017] The closure structure can be used with a conventional container for drinking liquids or with a container for a drinking device for retronasal aromatherapy. In the first case, a closure structure can be provided that closes an air duct within the fixed element or a separately provided air channel in the spout section. Alternatively, a closure structure can be used without a replaceable aroma container, allowing a certain amount of air to be drawn in along with, for example, water and finely dispersed within the water. However, preferably, the closure structure is part of the drinking device for retronasal aromatherapy and is attached to a replaceable aroma container.

[0018] The movement of the movable element between the stored position and the operative position is limited by at least one stop member, which limits the relative movement of the movable element relative to the fixed element. The stop members can be provided at both ends of the range of rotational movement of the movable element relative to the fixed element. The provision of the stop members provides a user with easy guidance for identifying the operative position of the closure structure, thereby facilitating its use more conveniently.

[0019] Likewise, the stored position can also be defined by a stop member that limits the rotational movement of the movable element relative to the fixed element from the operating position beyond the stored position. In the stored position, there is no longer a fluid connection between the fluid-conducting duct and the drinking opening in the spout section, thereby preventing unintentional spillage of drinking liquid through the spout section.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the movable element comprises a convex sliding surface and the fixed element comprises a concave sliding surface, the concave sliding surface being shaped and arranged to provide a sliding motion of the convex sliding surface relative to and in contact with the concave sliding surface. The cooperation of the convex sliding surface and the concave sliding surface provides a stable and guided relative motion because the cooperating convex sliding surface and the concave sliding surface provide good mutual support. The convex sliding surface and the concave sliding surface can also be reversed in a completely equivalent manner so that the movable element comprises the concave sliding surface and the fixed element comprises the convex sliding surface.

[0021] Preferably, the spout section has a mouth end and a fluid channel, the fluid channel having a first opening at the mouth end and a second opening at an end opposite the first opening. This configuration makes it possible to provide fluid communication between the fluid channel in the movable element and the fluid guide conduit in the fixed element if the fixed element is in the operating position. The provision of an interface between the fluid channel of the movable element and the fluid guide conduit in the fixed element allows accurate relative positioning, so that in the operating position of the movable element, a user can inhale liquid through the mouth end of the spout section, the liquid flowing through the internal conduit of the drinking straw, the fluid guide conduit in the fixed element, and the fluid channel in the movable element. The provision of this interface makes it possible to avoid possible leakage of liquid from the fluid guide conduit before entering the fluid channel.

[0022] According to the present invention, the air duct has a first air duct section having a fragrance inlet and being in fluid communication with the air outlet opening and the attached fragrance container, the first air duct section having a varying cross-sectional surface in the longitudinal direction, preferably increasing continuously toward the fragrance inlet end. This varying cross-sectional surface provides a better access for cleaning purposes and, if the varying cross-sectional surface increases continuously toward the fragrance inlet end facing the fragrance container, additionally provides a certain tolerance when attaching the fragrance container. A fragrance container that is not precisely positioned relative to the closure structure will still be operable because, if the cross-sectional area of ​​the fragrance inlet end of the fragrance container exceeds the cross-sectional area of ​​the fragrance outlet opening of the fragrance container, the increased air duct cross-sectional surface at the end facing the fragrance container compensates for any deviation of the fragrance container from the exact attachment position.

[0023] Preferably, the first air duct section is substantially linear. This measure further contributes to easy accessibility for cleaning of the first air duct section.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air duct in the fixed element further comprises a recess provided in the convex sliding surface and a groove formed in the concave sliding surface, wherein in the operating position, fluid communication is provided between the recess and the first air duct section and between the recess and the groove, wherein the groove opens into the fluid-conducting duct. In other words, in the operating position, air exiting the air outlet opening of the container can enter the first air duct section, enter the recess by virtue of the fluid communication between the first air duct section and the recess, and can enter the groove due to the fluid communication between the recess and the groove. Finally, air can enter the fluid-conducting duct because the groove opens into the fluid-conducting duct.

[0025] This specific structure provides a tortuous path for air between the fragrance container and the fluid guiding pipe. It acts like a labyrinth seal and prevents drinking liquid from entering the fragrance container.

[0026] Preferably, a constriction is present in the fluid-conducting duct, closer to the first end of the drinking straw than to the location where the opening of the air duct in the fluid-conducting duct is located. Preferably, the constriction is adjacent to the opening of the air duct in the fluid-conducting duct. This constriction locally accelerates the flow of drinking liquid through the fluid-conducting duct and generates a Venturi effect that promotes the intake of air into the fluid-conducting duct through the air duct.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the closure structure further comprises a vent channel connecting the external atmosphere with a surface of the closure structure that faces the interior volume of the container vessel when the closure structure is attached to the refillable vessel.

[0028] This vent channel allows air to flow in when a user draws liquid from the vessel's interior chamber. When the associated drinking device is in use and the user draws liquid from and removes it from the vessel's interior chamber, air must flow in to prevent negative pressure from building up in the vessel's interior chamber. The vent channel, which connects the outside atmosphere to the surface of the closure structure and faces the vessel's interior volume when attached to the refillable vessel, establishes a connection between the outside atmosphere and the vessel's interior volume, allowing an appropriate amount of air to flow from the outside atmosphere into the interior chamber holding the liquid if liquid is removed via the fluid-conducting conduit.

[0029] Preferably, the fixing part comprises a first fixing part element and a second fixing part element attached to the first fixing part element.Providing a separate part has the advantage that fixing parts with closed structures of highly complex shape are easier to manufacture by means of an injection molding process.

[0030] In this context, it is preferred that the vent channel comprises a vent channel segment formed in the abutment surface between the first and second fixing sub-element. This makes it easy to form a vent channel having a very small cross-section. Preferably, it is formed by a groove in the first and / or second fixing sub-element. This makes it easy to create the vent channel in the abutment surface of the first and second fixing sub-element. If the vent channel has a very small cross-section, a capillary effect will prevent the drinking liquid from leaking through the vent channel.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one stop component comprises a stop member attached to or integrally formed with the spout segment, wherein the stop member is arranged such that, in the operative position, the stop member rests against a stepped portion of the fixed element. An advantage of providing such a stop member attached to or integrally formed with the spout segment in the immediate vicinity of the mouth end of the closure structure is that a user can easily identify or confirm that the movable element is in the operative position and that the movable element cannot be further rotated relative to the fixed element because the stop member rests against the stepped portion of the fixed element.

[0032] Preferably, the stop member comprises an actuating member arranged so that the rotational movement of the spout can be manually operated by pressing on the actuating member. In such a preferred embodiment, the stop member has a dual function. It defines the end positions of the relative rotational movement between the movable element and the fixed element and comprises an actuating member manually operated by a user, who uses the actuating member to move the movable element between the rest position and the operating position.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the movable element includes a component for closing the vent channel in the stored position. This arrangement has the advantage that, in the stored position, even a rough impact to the drinking device equipped with the closure structure will not cause liquid to inadvertently escape through the vent channel, because both the fluid guiding conduit and the vent channel in the fixed element are closed by the movable element.

[0034] Preferably, the drinking device for retronasal perception of aroma further comprises a replaceable aroma container attached to the attachment structure of the closure structure.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the fragrance container is shaped so that it at least partially surrounds the fixed element. This arrangement provides a well-balanced weight distribution for the closed structure with the attached fragrance container and additionally secures the attached fragrance container when the movable element is in the storage position. Since, once the movable element, including the spout section, has been rotationally moved into the storage position, the fragrance container can be prevented from being disassembled, if, for example, the fragrance container surrounding the fixed element is no longer movable or at least removable in the direction toward the movable element, since such displacement required for removal of the fragrance container is blocked by the spout section tilted into the storage position.

[0036] In the storage position, a portion of the movable element may even abut and bear against the fragrance container, so that the fragrance container cannot leave the proper operating position attached to the fixed element, or even be pushed back into the proper operating position each time the movable element is brought to its storage position, in the event that the fragrance container deviates slightly from the proper operating position during use.

[0037] The drinking device of the present invention comprises a vessel having an interior chamber for holding a liquid, the interior chamber being open at a filling opening; and a closure structure according to the present invention, which is attachable to and detachable from the vessel at or near the filling opening.

[0038] In order to attach the closure structure to the vessel, any suitable means may be provided, such as a threaded connection, a bayonet-type connection or a clamping connection. Since the drinking device should be refilled several times during use, a connection structure between the closure structure and the vessel is preferably one that has a function that is immediately apparent to the user, such as screwing on a thread or a bayonet-type connection.

[0039] The closure structure according to the present invention can be attached to the vessel of any type of drinking device. However, it is preferably designed to be attached to the vessel of a drinking device for retronasal aromatherapy. In this case, the closure structure needs to include suitable structure to allow the aromatized air to be directed toward the mouthpiece. The aromatized air can be introduced into the drinking liquid and dispersed therein, or the duct for the aromatized air can be extended to the mouthpiece separately from the delivery channel for the drinking liquid, where the user can inhale the drinking liquid and the aromatized air simultaneously, forming a gas-liquid dispersion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0041] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a drinking device having a closing structure according to the present invention;

[0042] Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional partial view of the closure structure in its operative position;

[0043] Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional fragmentary view of the closed structure in its stored position; and

[0044] Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional partial view in another cross-sectional plane of the closure structure in its operative position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Like elements will be represented by like reference numerals throughout the drawings.

[0046] exist Figure 1, a cross-sectional view of a closure structure 10 attached to a vessel 20 of a drinking device is shown. The vessel 20 has an interior volume 22 that can have any suitable shape. The closure structure is provided with a drinking straw 12 having an interior conduit 14 defined along the longitudinal direction of the drinking straw 12, a first end 16, and a second end 18. The closure structure 10 is provided with an attachment structure 24 that is configured to retain the first end 16 of the drinking straw 12. As an alternative, not shown in the figures, the drinking straw can be formed integrally with the closure structure.

[0047] Furthermore, the closure structure 10 is provided with a second attachment structure 26, similar to a thread, to couple the closure structure to the vessel 20 at or near the filling opening 28. The second attachment structure may be implemented in any suitable form that allows the closure structure 10 to be easily and safely repeatedly removed and attached to the vessel 20. Easy removal and attachment is important because during the life of a drinking device, it is refilled many times, and for this reason, the closure structure 10 is removed from the vessel 20 and reattached each time the vessel is refilled.

[0048] Preferably, the fixed portion 46 of the closure structure and the movable portion 48 of the closure structure are made of a plastic material, such as silicone or EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber). Preferably, a food grade plastic material is used.

[0049] The closure structure 10 includes a suitable third attachment structure 32 for attaching and positioning the fragrance container 30 .

[0050] The fragrance container 30 has a top wall 34 which is preferably flat at least in areas so that a label 38 can be attached to the outside of the top wall 34. The fragrance container has an inner fragrance chamber which is at least partially filled with a carrier substance impregnated with the fragrance substance.

[0051] The fragrance container 30 is substantially annular, and includes a circular annular outer side wall 36 and an inner side wall 38 that deviates from a circular shape. In other words, the space surrounded by the inner side wall 38 has a non-circular cross-sectional area.

[0052] This illustrated geometry of the inner side wall 38 of the fragrance container allows for a defined positioning of the fragrance container 30 on the correspondingly shaped third attachment structure 32 of the closure structure 10. Thus, the fragrance container 30 can only be placed in a single angular position, i.e., with respect to a rotation in the plane of the top wall 34.

[0053] The air outlet opening 40 is located in the inner side wall 38, and the air inlet opening 42 in the bottom wall 44 is preferably arranged at a position of the bottom wall 44 which is diametrically opposite the air outlet opening 40 in the essentially annular fragrance container 30, so that the air flow flowing through the fragrance container 30 has to travel as wide a distance as possible and can therefore be enriched with fragrance in a particularly effective manner.

[0054] like Figures 1 to 4 The shape of the fragrance container 30 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is merely an example, and any suitable shape of the fragrance container may be provided.

[0055] The closure 10 comprises a fixed portion 46 and a movable portion 48. The movable portion 48 is attached to the fixed portion 46 and can be moved as shown. Figure 2 The operating position shown in Figure 3 1 and 2. The fixing element 46 is rotatably movable in the direction of arrow A between the storage positions shown in FIG. In the fixing element, a fluid guide duct 50 is provided, which is in fluid communication with the inner duct 14 of the drinking straw 12. In addition, the fixing part 46 includes an air duct 52, which is in fluid communication with the air outlet opening 40 of the fragrance container 30 when the fragrance container 30 is mounted on the fixing part 46.

[0056] The movable portion 48 includes a spout section 54 having a mouth end 56 and a fluid passage 58 having a first opening 60 at the mouth end 56 and a second opening longitudinally opposite the first end. In the operative position, the second opening 62 of the spout section 54 establishes fluid communication with the fluid-conducting conduit 50 in the fixed portion. Thus, a user can inhale liquid through the mouth end 56, where the liquid enters the second end 18 of the drinking straw 12, enters the fluid-conducting conduit 50 of the fixed portion 46, and enters the fluid passage 58 through the second opening 62, where the liquid is transported upward to the first opening 60 of the spout section 54.

[0057] In a drinking device suitable for retronasal perception of aroma substances, there is a fluid connection between the air duct 52 and the fluid-conducting duct 50 .

[0058] When the movable part 48 of the closure structure 10 moves relative to the fixed part 46, a portion of the movable part 48 slides on a correspondingly arranged and formed portion of the fixed part 46 of the closure structure 10. In the specific example as shown in the figures, the movable part 48 is provided with a convexly shaped portion implemented as a convex sliding surface 64, while the fixed part 46 of the closure structure 10 includes a concave sliding surface 66. When the movable part 48 moves relative to the fixed part 46, the convex sliding surface 64 of the movable part slides on the concave sliding surface 66 of the fixed part 46.

[0059] The movable part may be attached to the fixed part by means of any suitable hinge element.

[0060] As in Figure 4 As can be best seen in FIG, the concave sliding surface 66 of the movable portion 48 is provided with a recess 68 which is formed as shown in FIG. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 4 In the operating position shown in FIG, the air duct 52 is in fluid communication with the fixed part 46.

[0061] A groove 70 is formed in the concave sliding surface 66, which is part of the fluid communication between the air duct 52 and the fluid guiding duct 50. In addition, a narrowing section 72 is provided in the wall surrounding the fluid guiding duct 50. This narrowing section 72 is closer to the first end 16 of the drinking straw 12 than the position where the opening 74 of the air duct 52 leading to the fluid guiding duct 50 is arranged.

[0062] This narrowing section 72 creates a Venturi effect when liquid flows through the fluid guiding conduit 50 toward the mouth end. The local narrowing of the fluid guiding conduit 50 increases the flow velocity of the drinking liquid flowing toward the mouth end. This increased velocity enhances air entrainment and fine dispersion of the air added through the air conduit 52. Providing the narrowing section 72 has the additional advantage of preventing water from undesirably entering the air conduit 52 and into the fragrance container 30.

[0063] You can also Figures 2 to 4 As can be seen in FIG, the air duct 52 is provided with an air duct section 76 having a straight longitudinal axis. The air duct section 76 has a varying cross-sectional area that increases toward the air outlet opening 40 of the fragrance container 30. This geometry of the air duct section 76 is advantageous because it provides better access for cleaning purposes. Furthermore, slight misalignment of the fragrance container 30 relative to the third attachment structure 32 can be compensated, allowing the drinking device to be used even if the user has not properly positioned the fragrance container on the third attachment structure.

[0064] Turn again Figure 2 , which shows the movable part 48 in its operative position, the movable part being provided with a stop member 78 which is formed integrally with the movable part 48. The stop member 78 has a dual function. On the one hand, in the operative position, the stop member 78 rests against an abutment surface 80 of the fixed part 46 so that the movable part 48 cannot be rotated further in the direction opposite to the arrow A beyond the correct operative position. The second function of the stop member 78 is that it acts as a tab which the user can easily grasp in order to move the movable part 48 in the operative position. Figure 2 The operating position shown in Figure 3 Movement between the storage locations shown in .

[0065] Now go to Figure 3 , which shows the stored position of the movable part 48 and the associated drinking device, it can be seen that the fluid guiding duct 50 is closed by the convex sliding surface 66 of the movable part 48. Likewise, the air duct section 76, which was still in fluid communication with the air outlet opening 40 of the fragrance container due to the fixed mutual arrangement of the fixed part 46 and the fragrance container 30, is no longer in fluid communication with the recess 68 in the concave sliding surface 66, so that the air communication through the air duct 52 is interrupted.

[0066] Figure 4 Further details are shown in the cross-sectional view of . The fixing portion 46 comprises a first fixing portion element 82 and a second fixing portion element 84. In the abutting surfaces of the first fixing portion element 82 and the second fixing portion element 84, a vent groove 86 is formed, which is part of the vent channel 92 that establishes an air path between the interior volume 22 of the vessel 20 and the external atmosphere. The vent groove 86 is in fluid communication with the through hole 88 in the first fixing portion element 82, so that a vent path is formed as indicated by the dotted line B that extends through the closed structure 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. Figure 3 In the storage position shown in FIG, all channels are closed, including the vent channel 92, since there is a contact line 90 between the movable part 48 and the fixed part 46, which closes the vent channel 92 in the storage position.

[0067] The spout section 54 of the movable part 48 prevents the aroma container 30 from being accidentally removed from the drinking device. Figure 3 In the position shown in FIG, the wall of the fluid channel 49 surrounding the spout section 54 is close to the top wall 34 of the fragrance container 30. In the storage position, the fragrance container can only be moved upward to a negligible extent before the top wall of the fragrance container abuts the spout section and no further upward movement of the fragrance container is possible. Because this slight upward mobility of the fragrance container cannot be exceeded, and because the air duct section 76 widens in the direction toward the fragrance container, the limited upward-downward mobility of the fragrance container does not lead to a mutual positioning in which the air outlet hole 40 of the fragrance container is no longer connected to the air duct 52 in the fixed part. If the fragrance container is accidentally moved in the upward direction during use so that it can no longer provide aromatized air, it will automatically return to the correct operating position once the movable part 48 moves to its storage position.

[0068] The geometric arrangement of the vent channel, the air duct 52 and the fluid communication between the fluid guide conduit 50 and the fluid channel 58 is such that when the movable part is moved from Figure 3 The storage location shown in Figure 2 When the drinking device is moved to the operating position shown in FIG, the vent channel 92 is first opened, allowing pressure equalization between the interior volume 22 of the vessel 20 and the external atmosphere to occur before the fluid-conducting conduit 50 is fluidically connected to the fluid channel 58. This prevents spillage of the drinking liquid in the event of an atmospheric overpressure developing within the interior volume 22 of the vessel 20. Such overpressure may develop if the drinking device is heated during flight in the warm environment of an aircraft, where the ambient pressure is lower than the atmospheric pressure that existed when the drinking device was filled on the ground before the flight.

[0069] The closure structure of the present invention is easy to use and does not require the user to move the fragrance container from the operating position to the non-operating position. All that is required is to tilt the movable part including the spout between its storage position and the operating position.

[0070] Reference Signs List

[0071] 10 Closed structure

[0072] 12 Quote Straw

[0073] 14 Internal Pipes

[0074] 16 First end of drinking straw

[0075] 18 Second end of drinking straw

[0076] 20 vessels

[0077] 22 Internal volume of the vessel

[0078] 24 Attachment structure of the closure structure

[0079] 26. Second attachment structure of the closure structure

[0080] 28 Filling opening

[0081] 30 aromatic containers

[0082] 32 Third attachment structure of the closure structure

[0083] 34 Top wall of aroma container

[0084] 36 outer wall

[0085] 38 inner wall

[0086] 40 Air outlet opening

[0087] 42 Air inlet opening

[0088] 44 Bottom wall of aroma container

[0089] 46 Fixed part of the closed structure

[0090] 48 Moving parts of closed structures

[0091] 50 Fluid guide pipe

[0092] 52 air ducts

[0093] 54 nozzle section

[0094] 56 Mouth end

[0095] 58 fluid channels

[0096] 60 First Opening

[0097] 62 Second Opening

[0098] 64 convex sliding surface

[0099] 66 Concave sliding surface

[0100] 68 Depression

[0101] 70 grooves

[0102] 72 Narrowing section

[0103] 74 Opening

[0104] 76 air duct sections

[0105] 78 Stop member

[0106] 80 contact surface

[0107] 82 first fixed part element

[0108] 84 second fixed part element

[0109] 86 ventilation groove

[0110] 88 through holes

[0111] 90 contact line

[0112] 92 ventilation channel

Claims

1. A closure structure (10) attachable to and detachable from a refillable vessel (20) for containing a liquid, the closure structure (10) comprising: a drinking straw (12) comprising, in the longitudinal direction of the drinking straw (12), an inner conduit (14), a first end (16) and a second end (18); - an attachment structure (32) for attaching a replaceable fragrance container (30), the fragrance container (30) having an internal fragrance chamber, an air inlet opening (42) and an air outlet opening (40); a fixing element (46) comprising an attachment part (24) configured to be attached to a first end (16) of the drinking straw (12) or to be formed integrally with the drinking straw; - the fixing element (46) further comprises: - an air duct (52); and - a fluid guiding conduit (50) in fluid communication with the inner conduit (14) of the drinking straw (12); - a movable element (48) attached to the fixed element (46) and movable in rotation relative to the fixed element (46), the movable element (48) comprising - a nozzle section (54); and - at least one stop member (78) for limiting the relative movement of the movable element (48) relative to the fixed element (46), so that the movable element (48) can rotate relative to the fixed element (46) between a storage position and an operating position.

2. The closure structure according to claim 1, wherein: The movable element (48) includes a convex sliding surface (64), and the fixed element (46) includes a concave sliding surface (66), which is shaped and arranged to provide sliding movement of the convex sliding surface (64) relative to and in contact with the concave sliding surface (64).

3. The closure structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The nozzle section (54) has - a mouth end portion (56); and - a fluid channel (58) having a first opening (60) at the mouth end (56) and a second opening (62) in the convex sliding surface (64).

4. A closure structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The air duct (52) has a first air duct section (76) having a fragrance inlet end portion, the fragrance inlet end portion being in fluid communication with the air outlet opening (40) of the attached fragrance container (30), the first air duct section (76) having a varying cross-sectional surface in the longitudinal direction, the varying cross-sectional surface preferably increasing continuously toward the fragrance inlet end portion.

5. The closure structure according to claim 4, wherein: The first air duct section (76) is substantially linear.

6. The closure structure according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein: The air duct (52) includes an opening in the concave sliding surface (66) of the fixing element (46).

7. The closure structure according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein: The air duct (52) further comprises: - a recess (68) provided in the convex sliding surface (64); and - a groove (70) formed in the concave sliding surface (66); wherein In the operating position, fluid communication is provided between the recess (68) and the first air duct section (76) and between the recess (68) and the groove (70), wherein the groove (70) opens into the fluid guiding duct (50).

8. The closure structure according to claim 1 , further comprising a constriction ( 72 ) in the fluid guiding duct ( 50 ), the constriction ( 72 ) being closer to the first end ( 16 ) of the drinking straw ( 12 ) than to the location where the opening to the air duct ( 52 ) on the fluid guiding duct ( 50 ) is arranged.

9. The closure structure according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a vent channel (92) connecting the outside atmosphere and a surface of the closure structure (10) that faces the interior volume (22) of the refillable vessel (20) when attached to the refillable vessel (20).

10. A closure structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The fixing component (46) includes a first fixing part element (82) and a second fixing part element (84) attached to the first fixing part element (82).

11. A closure structure according to claim 10 when appended to claim 9, wherein: The ventilation channel (92) comprises a ventilation channel section formed in an abutment surface between the first fixing part element (82) and the second fixing part element (84), wherein the ventilation channel section is preferably formed by a groove (86) in the first fixing part element (82) and / or the second fixing part element (84).

12. A closure structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least one stop component comprises a stop member (78) attached to the spout section (54) or formed integrally with the spout section, wherein the stop member (78) is arranged so that in the operating position, the stop member (78) rests against an abutment surface (80) of the fixing element (46).

13. The closure structure according to claim 12, wherein: The stop member comprises an actuating member (78) arranged such that the rotational movement of the spout segment (54) is manually operated by pressing on the actuating member (78).

14. The closure structure according to claim 9 or 11, wherein: The movable element (48) includes means for closing the vent passage (92) in the stored position.

15. A closure structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The fragrance container (30) is shaped such that it at least partially surrounds a portion of the fixing element (46).

16. A drinking device comprising: a vessel (20) having an interior chamber (22) for holding a liquid; said interior chamber (22) opening at a filling opening (28); as well as - Closure structure (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, attachable to and detachable from the vessel (20) at or near the filling opening (28).

17. The drinking device according to claim 16, wherein The drinking device is for retronasal perception of an aroma and further comprises a replaceable aroma container (30) attached to an attachment structure (32) of the closure structure (10).

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