beverage container

Abstract

Beverage container comprising a container body (7) defining a receiving space (8) for a liquid, with a bottom (10) in which a magnetic field generating element (12) is received in a cavity (11), wherein a flexible covering (18) is arranged on an underside of the bottom (10) which contains a magnetorheological fluid (19) whose viscosity can be changed depending on an interaction with the magnetic field.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a beverage container comprising a container body with a base defining a receiving space for a liquid.

[0002] If a drinks container is taken along in a motor vehicle and a person inside the vehicle occasionally uses it, the drinks container must be secured accordingly when it is put down. For this purpose, it is known to provide a cup holder on a trim part of the vehicle interior, for example a center console. This is usually a recess formed in the trim part, for example with a round shape, into which the drinks container can be placed and where it can be secured, for example using clamping elements projecting inwards to the sides. Placing the drinks container on other exposed surfaces, for example the center console or the dashboard, is not possible because these surfaces are usually curved, so-called free-form surfaces.Parking is also not possible on flat surfaces, as the container could otherwise slip or fall over when braking or accelerating.

[0003] From DE 10 2020 000 682 A1 an adjusting device for a cup holder of a motor vehicle is known. This has an adaptive perforated diaphragm which delimits a receiving opening on the outer circumference and which can be adjusted by applying an electrical voltage, wherein the receiving opening is delimited by at least one web element made of an electroactive polymer which runs in the direction of extension of the receiving opening.

[0004] The polymer allows the clear cross-section of the receiving opening to be changed when an electrical voltage is applied.

[0005] DE 10 2018 103 174 B3 describes a holding device for a motor vehicle for holding a beverage container. The holding device has at least one holding means comprising at least one active material that can be controlled to align the container depending on a force acting on it, such as occurs during acceleration, deceleration, or cornering. The holding means is accommodated in a receiving space into which the container can be at least partially inserted. By applying a current and / or by heating, the configuration of the holding means, which is determined by a material property of the active material, can be changed. Alternatively or additionally, the configuration can be changed by applying an electric and / or magnetic field, via which a material property such as viscosity can be varied.

[0006] US 5,704,579 A discloses a holder for a beverage container, comprising a container support platform with a central axis and a series of container contact elements arranged around the central axis for exerting positioning forces on side surfaces of the container. Each container contact element contains a liquid core material that transitions to a near-solid state when exposed to a magnetic field. Magnetic means are provided in the holder for generating one or more magnetic fields that cause the container contact elements to stiffen, allowing them to adapt to a variety of container sizes and shapes. The magnetic means may be electromagnets or permanent magnets.

[0007] DE 10 2017 128 019 A1 describes a holding device for at least one object, such as a beverage cup, comprising a receiving area for the at least one object. The receiving area comprises at least one holding element made of a predetermined material, which can be moved from a rest configuration into a holding configuration for the object by applying an electric and / or magnetic field. At least one internal material property of the holding element changes when changing from the rest configuration to the holding configuration. A sensor unit is provided for determining a value of an internal state variable of a held object, as well as a control unit configured to output at least one control signal based on the determined value.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the problem of providing an improved beverage container.

[0009] To solve this problem, according to the invention, a beverage container is provided, comprising a container body which delimits a receiving space for a liquid and has a base in which an element which is received in a cavity and generates a magnetic field is received, wherein a flexible casing is arranged on an underside of the base, which contains a magnetorheological fluid whose viscosity can be changed depending on an interaction with the magnetic field.

[0010] The beverage container according to the invention is characterized in that it has a support surface that can be adapted to different shapes of a storage surface. This is created by a flexible casing formed on or arranged on the underside of the container body and a magnetorheological fluid contained therein. These form a kind of "cushion." Furthermore, a magnetic field-generating element is provided in the base of the container body, via which a magnetic field can be generated that can interact with the liquid. According to a first alternative, this element can be movably accommodated in the cavity and its position can be changed relative to the liquid. Alternatively, a coil can also be integrated as an element, which, when energized, can generate a magnetic field that interacts with the liquid.

[0011] If a movable element is provided, for example a permanent magnet such as a neodymium magnet, the position of this element relative to the magnetorheological fluid can be changed by the user. In a position away from the fluid, there is no or no significant magnetic interaction between the magnetic field generated by the element and the magnetorheological fluid; in a position close to the fluid, there is a correspondingly strong magnetic interaction between the magnetic field and the fluid. The viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid can be changed via the magnetic field or the degree of interaction. This can be done from a state in which the fluid is sufficiently fluid, i.e. not solid or rigid, to a state in which the fluid is inevitably also shape-changing in this state. This state occurs when the element is far away from the fluid.If, however, the element is adjacent, i.e., close to the liquid, a correspondingly strong interaction occurs, resulting in the liquid's viscosity being extremely high and the liquid becoming rigid or stiffened. If the liquid is solid, the enclosure is inevitably no longer deformable; instead, a rigid support surface is created on the bottom of the container.

[0012] This now makes it possible to place the container, with the flexible covering, on a support surface of a trim part in a state in which the element is spaced from the liquid and the liquid is correspondingly fluid, which can be slightly curved or otherwise designed as a free-form surface. Since the liquid is still in a fluid state and the covering is therefore flexible, the covering forming the support surface can optimally adapt to the shape of the support surface of the trim part, thus following the curved surface shape. The "cushion" is therefore flexible and shape-changing.If the user now moves the magnetic element toward the liquid, i.e., brings it into proximity, the liquid stiffens due to the interaction with the magnetic field and becomes solid, thus assuming a fixed three-dimensional shape. The side facing the support surface of the covering part, of course, exactly matches the support surface, so that the shape of the casing is also formed and frozen. Thus, optimal conformation is achieved.

[0013] The same shape adaptation is achieved when using a coil, since here too, when no magnetic field is generated by the coil, the "cushion" made of the casing and liquid is shape-changing. Only when the container is placed on the surface and the user presses the button, energizing the coil and generating the magnetic field, does the liquid suddenly solidify and stiffen, so that the "cushion" made of the casing and liquid becomes solid, yet its shape is precisely adapted to the surface.

[0014] In addition, such a trim part typically features a metal insert, meaning that a flat metal insert is provided beneath a surface covering that forms the visible side. The magnetic field generated by the magnetic element is guided through the magnetorheological fluid, allowing it to interact with the metal insert in the trim part. This results in a magnetic adhesion of the beverage container to the metal insert, which secures the beverage container in the upright position.

[0015] The beverage container according to the invention thus enables optimal adaptation of the container-side support surface to the free-form surface of the cladding part. Furthermore, the beverage container also enables automatic magnetic fixation of the container to the free-form surface if, as is usually the case, this has a corresponding, flat metal insert, i.e., a correspondingly thin, applied or laminated metal foil or similar. By moving the movable element back or deactivating the magnetic field, the liquid naturally becomes liquid again and the magnetic adhesion is removed, so that the container can be removed from the support surface again.

[0016] Preferably, the covering covers the entire underside of the floor so that a correspondingly large, tangible storage area is created or can be formed.

[0017] As described, in a first variant, the element can be movably accommodated in the cavity and its position can be changed. The element generating the magnetic field is preferably movable linearly from a raised position, in which it is spaced from the underside, to a lowered position, in which it is adjacent to the underside, so that the magnetic field interacts with the liquid. The element is therefore adjustable via a simple linear movement between a raised first position, i.e., a rest position in which it does not, or only slightly, interact with the liquid with its magnetic field, to a lowered second position, i.e., an active position in which it strongly interacts with the liquid with its magnetic field, causing the liquid to solidify. These two positions can also be fixed via a corresponding latching or locking mechanism, i.e.that the element is locked or locked in the respective position and the position is secured, whereby it can be pushed out of the locking or locking position to move into the other position.

[0018] The magnetic element itself is preferably disc- or plate-shaped and can thus be placed flat on a base surface defining the cavity. The size of the surface of the element that can be placed on the base surface preferably corresponds essentially to the size of the base surface. This has the advantage that the surface of the magnetic element ultimately approximately corresponds to the underside of the base, to which the casing and thus also the magnetorheological fluid are directly connected. This results in almost complete coverage of the magnetic element surface and the fluid surface or fluid volume, thus ensuring large-area magnetic interaction with the entire fluid volume and enabling the best possible solidification of the magnetorheological fluid.

[0019] As described, the magnetic element can be linearly movable. To simplify this movement for the user, a further development of the invention provides an actuating element by which the element can be moved. Thus, a manual actuating element is provided, which is conveniently located on the outside of the container in the base area. This can be easily operated manually by the user, allowing them to move the magnetic element between the raised and lowered positions.

[0020] The actuating element is preferably a sliding element arranged on an outer side of the container body and coupled to the element. This sliding element engages, for example, through a slot into the cavity in which the magnetic element is arranged and is coupled to it. The user can then easily grasp the sliding element, which acts like a slide, with a finger and slide it along the slot. During this sliding movement, the element is carried along and can therefore be shifted in its position relative to the liquid.

[0021] It is advantageous to provide two sliding elements arranged diametrically opposite each other, both of which are coupled to the element. This facilitates operation, as the user already grips the container with their hand and can thus easily grasp and move both sliding elements with one finger. Even better guidance is also provided, as each of the two sliding elements is guided with a section through a slot into the cavity, where it is coupled to the magnetic element.

[0022] The magnetic element itself is preferably accommodated in a holder, which holder is connected to the actuating element, in particular the sliding element(s). This holder, preferably a plastic component, is designed, for example, in the shape of a frame and corresponds in its geometry to that of the magnetic element. Due to the shape of the container, the element is preferably round and disc-shaped, so that the holder is also designed as a round frame into which the round element is inserted. For fixing, the element can be latched or glued to the holder. The holder itself has one or two corresponding, laterally projecting webs, which are guided outwards through the slots and to which the respective sliding element is attached.

[0023] As an alternative to integrating a movable magnetic element into the base, it is also conceivable to integrate a fixed-position element into the base to generate the magnetic field. In this case, the magnetic element can be a coil that is integrated into the base, with an energy storage device for supplying current to the coil to generate the magnetic field also being provided and expediently also integrated into the base. The current supply can be switched via an actuating element, for example a push button that can be operated manually from the outside, so that it can be controlled by simply pressing whether the magnetic field should be generated via the coil or switched off. This can also be used to easily "freeze" the liquid as described above, adapt it to the shape of the installation surface, and magnetically fix the container.

[0024] The base is preferably constructed in two parts and has a first base section which is firmly connected to the container body and a second base section arranged thereon, which second base section has the underside and the casing including the liquid, wherein the cavity is delimited by both base sections. According to the first alternative, the second base section can be materially connected to the first base section. According to a second alternative, the second base section can also be detachably arranged on the first base section. The two-part design enables easy assembly of the magnetic element which, if the two base sections are not yet connected, can be inserted into one of the two, after which the two base sections are connected. During this insertion or at the latest when connecting, the corresponding webs of the holder are also inserted into the tight slots, if provided.The connection can either be made by a material bond, meaning that both base sections are joined together, for example, by plastic welding or ultrasonic welding, and are then irreversibly separated. Alternatively, a detachable connection, such as a screw connection or a snap-in connection, is also conceivable. One of the two base sections can also have a receptacle for an energy storage device, e.g., a small battery, if a coil is provided as the element. This receptacle can be closed with a detachable part, allowing the energy storage device to be replaced.

[0025] In addition to the beverage container itself, the invention further relates to a motor vehicle having a vehicle interior in which one or more trim elements or console elements are provided, which have surfaces exposed towards the free space and are provided with a metal insert element, as well as to a beverage container of the type described above, wherein the magnetic field generated by the element interacts with the insert element in the position solidifying the liquid.

[0026] The motor vehicle thus has at least one, expediently several, free-form surfaces that can serve as a storage surface for the container. These surfaces are provided with a metal insert located below the visual cover, with which the magnetic element of the beverage container can interact to achieve the magnetic fixation of the container to the curved or inclined surface, combined with a precise adaptation of the container's storage surface formed by the casing in conjunction with the liquid.

[0027] Further advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and from the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a partial view of a motor vehicle according to the invention and a beverage container according to the invention before placing the beverage container on a vehicle-side storage area, Fig. 2 the arrangement Fig. 1 with a beverage container placed on the storage surface, and Fig. 3 the arrangement Fig. 2 with the attached and magnetically fixed beverage container.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a partial view of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention and of a beverage container 2 according to the invention. An interior trim part 3 of the motor vehicle 1 is shown as an example, here for example a dashboard 4. This has a storage surface 5 which is designed as a free-form surface with a slight curve and in which a metal insert 6, for example a laminated metal foil or the like, is provided below a cover not shown in detail.

[0029] The beverage container 2 according to the invention comprises a container body 7, for example made of plastic. This container body has a receiving space 8 for receiving a liquid. The receiving space 8 is delimited laterally by a conical container wall 9, in this case, and on the underside by a base 10. A cavity 11 is formed in the base 10, in which a magnetic element 12, which in this case has a round disc shape, is received. The magnetic element 12 is received in a holder 13, for example an annular frame. This holder is provided with two webs 14, which extend outwards through slots (not shown in detail) in the container wall 9 and are connected there to two sliding elements 15, which can be gripped manually. The sliding elements 15 are arranged diametrically opposite one another so that they can be easily gripped by the user with two fingers of the hand grasping the beverage container 2.This allows the magnetic element 12 to be moved linearly from the position shown in . Fig. 1, in which it is positioned at the upper end of the cavity 11, into a position shown in Fig. 3, in which it is positioned at the lower end of the cavity 11. The Fig. 1 shown raised rest position and the one in Fig. 3 can be fixed by means of suitable latching or other locking elements, so that the magnetic element 12 remains remanent in the respective position, but can be pushed out of the respective position or locking by applying slight force.

[0030] The base 10 itself is expediently designed in two parts, consisting of an upper first base section 16 and a lower second base section 17, as in Fig. 2. The two base sections 16, 17 are not connected to each other in order to insert the magnetic element 12 and the holder 13 into the cavity 11 and to insert the webs 14 into the corresponding slots. Only then are the two base sections 16, 17 connected to each other, which can be achieved by a material bond, i.e., by plastic welding, or by a screw connection or a snap-in connection.

[0031] A flexible casing 18 is fully attached to the underside of the base 10, forming a closed volume filled with a magnetorheological fluid 19. The casing 18 is made of a suitable, tear-resistant, and flexible plastic, such as PTFE or similar. Since the casing 18 is flexible and the fluid is also fluid in its initial state, the underside of the casing 18, which forms a final storage surface 20, can be adapted to the geometry of the storage surface located below.

[0032] In the Fig. In the basic position shown in Figure 1, the magnetic element 12 is in the raised rest position. It is thus raised within the cavity and at its maximum distance from the magnetorheological fluid 19. The fluid is fluid, meaning its shape can be changed.

[0033] Now, as in Fig. 2, the beverage container is placed on the storage surface 5, which, as mentioned, is inclined and curved, the shape of the casing 18 and the magnetorheological fluid 19 can change accordingly and adapt precisely to the shape of the storage surface 5, making it possible to arrange the beverage container 2 vertically on the inclined storage surface 5. This is because the "cushion" arranged on the underside of the base 10, consisting of the flexible casing 18 and the magnetorheological fluid 19, is able to adapt precisely to the geometry underneath.

[0034] In order to freeze the envelope 18 and the liquid 19, i.e. the adaptable “cushion” in its shape, so that it retains this adapted shape remanently, and at the same time to secure the beverage container 2 immovably to the storage surface 5, as in Fig. 3, the magnetic element 12 is moved vertically downwards via the actuating elements, here the sliding elements 15, as indicated by the arrow P in Fig. 3 until the magnetic element 12 rests on the bottom surface 21 which defines the cavity 11, as shown in Fig. 3. The magnetic element 12 generates a magnetic field, which, in this active position, interacts with the magnetorheological fluid 19. Due to this interaction, the fluid essentially changes its aggregate state and becomes solid. It thus permanently retains its shape and is stiffened. At the same time, the casing 18 also no longer changes its shape. The geometry of the "cushion" is thus frozen and permanently maintained.

[0035] At the same time, the magnetic field generated by the magnetic element 12, for example a sufficiently strong neodymium magnet, is transmitted via the magnetorheological fluid 19, so that it interacts with the metal insert 6 of the interior trim part 3. This results in a magnetic adhesive force developing between the magnetic element 12 and the metal insert 6, which is so strong that the beverage container 2 is immovably fixed to the storage surface 5. When the beverage container 2 is to be removed again, the user again grasps the two sliding elements 15 and pushes them upwards again, i.e., opposite to the direction of arrow P, so that the magnetic element 12 moves away from the virtually frozen fluid 19.The interaction of the magnetic field of element 12 with the magnetorheological fluid 19 is canceled, so that the fluid 19 suddenly changes its state of aggregation from solid to liquid. At the same time, the magnetic field of element 12 is no longer coupled to the metal insert 10 via the fluid 19, so that the magnetic fixation is canceled and the beverage container 2 can be easily removed from the storage surface 5. At the same time, the "cushion" naturally also changes its shape again, since the fluid 19 is liquid again. If the cushion is placed down again, a corresponding shape adjustment occurs, combined with freezing and magnetic fixation, as described above.

[0036] Alternatively, in addition to the positionally adjustable element 12 shown in the example figures, it would also be conceivable to arrange an element in the cavity 11 that generates a magnetic field in the form of an energizable coil, and to provide a button or the like on the outside of the beverage container 2, as well as a small energy storage device at a suitable position over which the coil can be charged. Accordingly, when the button is pressed, the magnetic field is generated; upon further pressing, it is deactivated. The design on the underside of the base 10 with the flexible covering 18 and the magnetorheological fluid 19, i.e. the "cushion," would be the same. This also allows for simple shape adaptation and magnetic fixation by simply pressing the button without manual movement.

Claims

[1] Beverage container, comprising a container body (7) delimiting a receiving space (8) for a liquid, with a base (10) in which an element (12) is received in a cavity (11) and generates a magnetic field, wherein a flexible casing (18) is arranged on an underside of the base (10) and contains a magnetorheological fluid (19), the viscosity of which can be changed depending on an interaction with the magnetic field. [2] Beverage container according to claim 1, characterized by that the covering (18) covers the entire underside of the base (10). [3] Beverage container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the element (12) is movable and its position is changeable. [4] Beverage container according to claim 3, characterized bythat the element (12) is linearly movable from a raised position in which it is spaced from the underside to a lowered position in which it is adjacent to the underside, so that the magnetic field interacts with the liquid (19). [5] Beverage container according to claim 4, characterized by that the element (12) is disc-shaped or plate-shaped and can be placed flat on a base surface (21) delimiting the cavity (11). [6] Beverage container according to claim 5, characterized by that the size of the surface of the element (12) which can be placed on the floor surface (21) essentially corresponds to the size of the floor surface (21). [7] Beverage container according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by that an actuating element (15) is provided, via which the element (12) can be moved. [8] Beverage container according to claim 7, characterized bythat the actuating element is a sliding element (15) which is arranged on an outer side of the container body (8) and which is coupled to the element (12). [9] Beverage container according to claim 8, characterized by that two sliding elements (15) arranged diametrically opposite each other are provided, both of which are coupled to the element (12). [10] Beverage container according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by that a holder (13) is provided in which the element (12) is received, which holder (13) is connected to the actuating element, in particular the sliding element or elements (15). [11] Beverage container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the magnetic element (12) is a coil, wherein an energy store is further provided for energizing the coil to generate the magnetic field, and wherein an actuating element is further provided for switching the energizing operation. [12] Beverage container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the base (10) is formed in two parts and comprises a first base section (16) which is firmly connected to the container body (8) and a second base section (18) arranged thereon, which second base section has the underside and the casing (18) together with the liquid (19), wherein the cavity (11) is delimited by both base sections (16, 17), and wherein the second base section (17) is integrally connected to the first base section (16) or is detachably arranged on the first base section (16). [13] Beverage container according to claim 12, characterized by that the first and second base sections (16, 17) are connected to one another via a screw connection or a snap-in connection. [14] Motor vehicle, with a vehicle interior in which one or more trim elements (3) or console elements are provided, which have or have surfaces exposed towards the vehicle interior, which are provided with a metal insert element (6), and a beverage container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the magnetic field generated by the element (2) interacts with the insert element (6) in the position solidifying the liquid (19).

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