Aroma container with dispensing device for a supplement and drinking device

DE102024202048A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-09-11AIR UP GRP GMBH
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE102024202048
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-03-05
Publication Date
2025-09-11

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Abstract

An aroma container for a drinking device (10) comprises an interior space (22) through which air can flow, which is surrounded by a wall (24) and comprises at least one air inlet opening (26) and at least one air outlet opening (28); a carrier substance (30) for at least one aroma substance in the interior space (22); and a dispensing device (36) through which air can flow for a supplement, wherein the dispensing device (36) is integrated into the aroma container (20) or can be coupled to a part of the aroma container.
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Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to an aroma container for a drinking device and a drinking device. State of the art

[0002] There is a growing demand for drinking liquids that, on the one hand, have a pleasant taste, while, on the other, avoiding health risks that can be caused by the ingestion of flavorings or stabilizers dissolved in the liquid. Furthermore, the consumption of excessive calories should be avoided. Therefore, water with a faint fruit flavor has become popular in recent years. However, even this flavored water contains undesirable additives, such as stabilizers and a certain amount of sugar. Many consumers reject such beverages simply because of the high calorie content.

[0003] Since the olfactory sensory impression forms a significant part of the gustatory perception when consuming food and beverages, existing drinking systems attempt to influence the odor perceived while drinking. To this end, aroma elements are proposed that can be attached to a drinking container near the drinking spout, so that the aroma element is in close proximity to the nose of the user, who breathes through their nose while drinking and thus absorbs the scent.

[0004] WO 2019 / 016096 A1 discloses a drinking device for the retronasal absorption of an aroma substance, comprising an air-permeable aroma container that supplies aromatized air to a transport channel for the drinking liquid. In this way, the aroma substance is absorbed retronasally. When drinking, the aroma substance enters the user's mouth together with the drinking liquid and then rises retronasally via the pharynx to the olfactory mucosa, where it is captured by receptors located there and perceived by the user. This takes advantage of the close connection between the senses of smell and taste. The user therefore has the impression of tasting the aroma, although in fact they are only smelling it retronasally.

[0005] An aroma container for such a retronasal drinking device is described in WO 2021 / 233516 A1.

[0006] In addition to the increasing trend to consume only calorie-free or at least highly reduced-calorie drinks, there is also an increasing consumption of dietary supplements that are supposed to have a positive effect on health or physical constitution.

[0007] Dietary supplements are often taken in large quantities as a single dose so that they don't have to be carried around by the user throughout the day. Users also often forget to take supplements in the morning, meaning they can't catch up if they're away from work during the day. This leads to uneven intake and significant fluctuations in the amount of substances transported in the bloodstream. Description of the invention

[0008] The invention is based on the object of improving an aroma container for a drinking device and a drinking device for the retronasal absorption of at least one aroma substance in such a way that a user is able to absorb it as evenly as possible throughout the day.

[0009] This object is achieved by an aroma container having the features of claim 1 and a drinking device having the features of one of claims 8, 12, 13, and 14. Preferred embodiments follow from the remaining claims.

[0010] An aroma container for a drinking device comprises an interior space through which air can flow, which is surrounded by a wall and comprises at least one air inlet opening and at least one air outlet opening, a carrier substance for at least one aroma substance in the interior space and a dispensing device for a supplement through which air can flow, wherein the dispensing device is integrated into the aroma container or can be coupled thereto.

[0011] The supplement preferably comprises one or more substances selected from the group comprising minerals, vitamins, vitaminoids, caffeine, alcohol, cannabinoids, antioxidants, flavonoids, and proteins. However, the supplement may also comprise a medication, such as a painkiller.

[0012] The aroma container according to the invention is thus suitable for fulfilling two tasks. Coupling with a suitably designed drinking device, the interior of the aroma container, which is surrounded by a wall, allows air to flow through it. A carrier substance in the interior for at least one aroma substance releases aroma substance into the air flowing into the interior via an air inlet opening, so that aromatized air flows out of the air outlet opening. At the same time, a dispensing device for a supplement, also through which air flows, is integrated into the aroma container. This dispensing device is either integrated into the aroma container or can be coupled to it.In other words, the supplement can also be located in the air-permeable interior of the aroma container, either together in the carrier substance for the aroma substance or in a separate supplement chamber, or the dispensing device can be coupled to a part of the aroma container that serves to aromatize air.

[0013] Since the dispensing device can also be permeated by air and dispenses a supplement into an air stream flowing through the dispensing device, the aroma container for a drinking liquid can be used as in the prior art, for example as the aroma container known in WO 2021 / 233516 A1, wherein simultaneously with a first air stream for aromatized air, either a second air stream with supplement-enriched air is supplied to a drinking device which is coupled to the aroma container, or only a single air stream is supplied to the drinking device which is enriched with both aroma substance and supplement.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the carrier substance is impregnated with the at least one flavoring substance. It is preferred to provide a nonwoven or granulate as the carrier substance.

[0015] A fleece with a random arrangement of fibers creates very small spaces between the fibers, which retain liquid aroma substances through capillary forces, allowing a controlled, even release of the aroma substance into the air flowing through the interior. At the same time, even abrupt changes in the position of the aroma container prevent unwanted leakage of the aroma substance.

[0016] Granules that bind liquid aroma substances by adsorption act in a similar way, creating a nearly constant concentration of aroma substance in an air space above the carrier substance, so that during the period of use of the aroma container, the aroma substance is released essentially evenly into the air flow flowing through the aroma container.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aroma container further comprises a user-operable activation device designed to introduce the supplement into the interior. A user can thus choose the time at which they wish to introduce the supplement into the interior. For example, during a longer competition, an athlete can initially consume water flavored with an aroma substance, but at a later time, by activating the activation device, introduce a magnesium supplement into the interior. From this point on, they can also consume magnesium as a supplement while drinking to prevent muscle cramps.

[0018] The activation device can be designed in any way. In the simplest case, it is an actuating pin that is pressed down by a user to open a closed chamber containing the supplement already located inside the aroma container. Activation can also occur by moving or twisting the aroma container, shaking it vigorously once, or by using an electronically activated dispensing device. The supplement could also be contained in a sealed reservoir with an actuating device for opening the depot. This can be achieved by mechanical force, e.g., as a sachet that is opened by a needle.

[0019] The activation device is preferably operable by the user, but can also be operable via a user's mobile phone or smartwatch, for example, when electronic blood glucose measurement requires the administration of a supplement.

[0020] Preferably, the interior comprises at least one aroma chamber through which air can flow and which at least partially contains the at least one aroma substance and a supplement chamber through which air can flow and which at least partially contains the supplement.

[0021] Firstly, the invention allows for the provision of multiple flavoring substances in addition to a single flavoring substance. Complex flavors such as pineapple and kiwi require the use of multiple flavoring substances, which are either miscible and can therefore be present as a single flavoring substance, or are immiscible due to their chemical structure, so that the carrier substance can be impregnated with different flavoring substances in certain areas. The same applies to a supplement, so that the flavor container can also comprise multiple air-permeable dispensing devices for different supplements.

[0022] In addition to the aroma chamber, a separate supplement chamber is preferably provided. The advantage of this measure is that some supplements should only be mixed with the aroma substance at the latest possible time. If the aroma container is coupled with an associated drinking device, the air flow through the interior only occurs during the drinking process, when a user triggers the transport of the drinking liquid by, for example, sucking in the drinking liquid, which simultaneously sucks in both aromatized air and supplement-enriched air. Only at this point is supplement-laden air sucked into the drinking liquid, dispersed in it, and just about one second later, the separation between the drinking liquid and the supplement-laden air occurs again in the user's throat.During this short period, no significant coalescence occurs between air bubbles containing the supplement and air bubbles containing the flavoring substance in the liquid stream drawn in by the user. Therefore, no interactions are to be expected when providing separate chambers and should be considered accordingly.

[0023] A further advantage of providing a separate supplement chamber can be that the flow conditions can be specifically influenced by the geometry of both the aroma chamber and the supplement chamber. The air flowing through the interior of the aroma container is subject to a pressure loss. If this pressure loss when flowing through the aroma chamber differs significantly from the pressure loss that occurs when flowing through the supplement chamber, the result is that the partial air flow subject to a lower pressure loss is preferentially drawn in. This allows the mixing ratio between aroma substance and supplement to be influenced, for example by deliberately different cross-sectional dimensions of the outlet openings from the aroma chamber and the supplement chamber.

[0024] When providing an aroma chamber through which air can flow and a separate supplementary chamber through which air can flow, it is therefore preferable to provide both the aroma chamber and the supplementary chamber with air outlet openings which each have predetermined cross-sectional dimensions with a view to achieving a predetermined pressure loss.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the supplement chamber is arranged downstream of the at least one aroma chamber in the direction of air flow between the air inlet and the air outlet. In other words, the aroma chamber and supplement chamber are arranged in series in the direction of air flow between the air inlet and the air outlet, and the supplement chamber is arranged downstream, so that the air flow flowing through the aroma container during use is first enriched with aroma substance and then enriched with supplement. This configuration is always useful when the aroma substance and the supplement are miscible and cannot react with each other.

[0026] Alternatively, according to a preferred embodiment, it is also possible for a first air stream to flow through the at least one aroma chamber and to be in flow communication with the air outlet opening, and for a second air stream to flow through the supplement chamber and to be in flow communication with a second air outlet opening. In other words, with this parallel connection of the aroma chamber and supplement chamber, the air flowing into the aroma container is guided separately through the aroma chamber and the supplement chamber and even flows out of the aroma container through separate air outlet openings.

[0027] A drinking device according to the invention, to which at least one flavor container according to the invention is attached, further comprises a head part with a fluid channel for drinking liquid, through which drinking liquid can be transported to a mouthpiece. For example, the transport liquid can be sucked in by a user, or the drinking process can be triggered by tilting the drinking device.

[0028] According to a first preferred alternative, the air outlet opening of the aroma container is in flow communication with an air channel in the head section, which opens into the liquid channel. In this alternative, the air flow exiting the aroma container is guided through an air channel in the head section, which opens into the liquid channel, so that the air passing through the air channel of the head section is dispersed in the drinking liquid in the form of fine bubbles.

[0029] According to an alternative, preferred embodiment, the air outlet opening is in flow connection with an air channel that runs separately from the liquid channel and ends in the mouthpiece, where an air opening is provided in the mouthpiece near a liquid opening of the liquid channel. The air laden with aroma and, depending on a possible activation by a user, with supplement is thus guided separately from the drinking liquid in the liquid channel to the mouthpiece and discharged via an air opening in the mouthpiece, which is located near a liquid opening of the liquid channel, so that a user, during the drinking process, when enclosing the mouthpiece with their lips, inhales both drinking liquid through the liquid opening and flavored and supplement-enriched air through the air opening in the mouthpiece.

[0030] According to a further alternative embodiment of the drinking device, the aroma container comprises a second air outlet opening, wherein the air outlet opening is in flow connection with an air channel which either opens into the liquid channel or runs separately from the liquid channel and comprises an air opening in the mouthpiece near a liquid opening of the liquid channel, and the second air outlet opening is in flow connection with a second air channel which runs separately from the liquid channel and comprises a second air opening in the mouthpiece near a liquid opening of the liquid channel.

[0031] Providing a second air outlet opens up various possibilities. For example, the flavored air can be added to the liquid channel via the first air channel, which opens into the liquid channel, while the supplement-enriched air is discharged via the second air outlet and guided separately from the liquid channel through a second air channel and discharged near the liquid opening of the liquid channel in the mouthpiece. In this first variant, the flavor is thus added to the liquid, and the supplement is drawn in separately in a second air stream during the drinking process.It is also possible for a user to draw in drinking liquid without dispersed air bubbles, and for both the flavored air and the supplement-enriched air to be directed separately to the liquid channel and separately from each other, and to a first and a second air opening in the mouthpiece. This allows a user to draw in drinking liquid, flavored air, and supplement-enriched air separately through three separate openings during the drinking process. Finally, according to another variant, it is also possible to draw the flavored air separately to the mouthpiece, while the supplement-enriched air is directed to the liquid channel and dispersed therein.

[0032] A drinking device according to the invention, which comprises an aroma container which comprises at least one aroma chamber with an air outlet opening and a supplement chamber with a second air outlet opening, can comprise a head part with a liquid channel for drinking liquid, through which drinking liquid can be transported to the mouthpiece, wherein the air outlet opening is in flow connection with an air channel which either opens into the liquid channel or runs separately from the liquid channel and comprises an air opening in the mouthpiece near a liquid opening of the liquid channel, and the second air outlet opening is in flow connection with a second air channel which opens into the liquid channel for drinking liquid.

[0033] In this alternative design of a drinking device according to the invention, the flavored air either flows into the liquid channel or is led separately to the mouthpiece, while the supplement-enriched air is led separately to both the flavored air and the drinking liquid at the mouthpiece.

[0034] A further variant of a drinking device according to the invention comprises an aroma container for a drinking device with an interior space through which air can flow, which is surrounded by a wall and comprises an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, and a carrier substance for at least one aroma substance in the interior space, as well as a dispensing device for a supplement through which air can flow, wherein the dispensing device for a supplement is arranged in an air channel which either has a supplement dispensing opening in the mouthpiece or opens into the liquid channel.

[0035] In this variant, the supplement is not integrated into the aroma container via an air-permeable supplement dispensing device, but rather is provided in a separate, air-permeable dispensing device. This separate, air-permeable dispensing device can either flow into the liquid channel via a suitable air duct or be routed separately to the mouthpiece.

[0036] Providing a separate dispensing device for supplements has the advantage of providing users with greater variability in terms of choosing between different flavorings and supplements. Covering all possible combinations is a logistically challenging task, because manufacturers must provide and deliver any number of possible combinations separately.

[0037] In addition, this solution has the advantage for a user that a suitable supplement can be administered at a specific time depending on the need.

[0038] All of the above-described embodiments of the invention and their preferred embodiments have in common that the supplement is administered together with air when consuming a drinking liquid, either via a separate air channel or in the form of air bubbles dispersed in the drinking liquid. The air, with the supplement molecules it contains, serves for retronasal administration to the nasal mucosa. Two areas at the level of the nose play a special role in the absorption of the supplement by the user: the respiratory and olfactory regions. These regions have a strong blood supply, which enables the absorption of medication into the cardiovascular system. The advantage of this type of supplement administration is that the supplement is absorbed through the nasal mucosa rather than the intestinal mucosa, and thus does not enter the portal circulation.Thus, the supplement is not subject to liver metabolism, which has the advantage of eliminating the so-called first-pass effect. Blood from the stomach, intestines, spleen, and pancreas is transported via the portal vein, allowing the conversion of a supplement or drug to occur during its first passage through the liver. Another advantage of absorbing substances through the nasal mucosa is that the effect occurs more quickly. When a supplement in the form of a medication such as a painkiller is absorbed nasally, the effect can be achieved particularly quickly, as the so-called nasal-brain pathway allows direct entry into the central nervous system, bypassing the blood-brain barrier.

[0039] According to an alternative embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention, it comprises an aroma container for a drinking device with an interior space through which air can flow, which is surrounded by a wall and comprises an air inlet and an air outlet, and a carrier substance for at least one aroma substance in the interior space. The drinking device according to the invention further comprises a dispensing device for a supplement through which liquid can flow, wherein the dispensing device for a supplement is in flow communication with a liquid channel and is arranged such that at least a partial flow of the liquid flowing through the liquid channel can flow through it.

[0040] The supplement is thus in fluid communication with the liquid and can be dissolved by the liquid. In conjunction with an air-permeable aroma container, whose carrier substance contains at least one aroma substance inside, a drinking liquid, such as water, can be added to a flavor substance that is absorbed retronasally, and a supplement that is dissolved in the drinking liquid and absorbed orally.

[0041] What all embodiments of the invention have in common is that by distributing the intake of drinking liquid over a day, a low dosage supplement can be absorbed throughout the day, a consistent blood level of supplement can be maintained with consistent intake of drinking liquid, and suitable supplements can be absorbed by a user largely unnoticed and without the need for separate administration. Short description of the drawings

[0042] The invention is described below purely by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, in which Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of part of a drinking device with an inventive flavor container; Fig. 2 a view as in Fig. 1 shown with modified geometry of the aroma container; Fig. 3 a view as in Fig. 1 shown with a further modified geometry of the aroma container; Fig. 4 shows part of a drinking device with an aroma container according to the invention similar to that according to Fig. 3 with a modified air flow in the drinking device; Fig. 5 shows part of a drinking device with an aroma container according to the invention similar to that according to Fig. 3 with a further modified air flow in the drinking device; Fig. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of part of a drinking device with an inventive aroma container with a modified air flow both in the aroma container and in the drinking device; Fig. 7 shows a flavor container and part of a drinking device in sectional view, the flavor container having a different geometry from the previous embodiments; Fig. 8 shows an aroma container and a substrate container coupled thereto, wherein the substrate container can be flowed through by drinking liquid; and Fig. 9 shows the top view of an annular aroma container with a modular structure. Ways to implement the invention

[0043] In the following figures, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0044] In all of the following forms, the supplements can be pharmaceutically active substances such as painkillers, but also vitamins, vitaminoids, caffeine, alcohol, cannabinoids, antioxidants, flavonoids, proteins or minerals, as well as combination supplements from the above-mentioned groups, such as multivitamin preparations enriched with minerals.

[0045] With regard to vitamins, particularly suitable supplements are sodium ascorbate (vitamin C), L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), DL-α-tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), nicotinamide, retinoacetate (vitamin A), cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), thiamine mononitrate or riboflavin.

[0046] Examples of proteins include vegan pea protein isolate or chickpea protein isolate.

[0047] The following mixtures of substances are particularly suitable as supplements from multivitamin compositions: - Vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc - L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), zinc citrate, ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) - Calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide, l-ascorbic acid, potassium chloride, iron gluconate, d-α-tocopheryl acetate, nicotinamide, manganese gluconate, copper gluconate, sodium molybdate (molybdenum VI), calcium d-pantotenate, zinc oxide, retinyl acetate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, cholecalciferol, thiamine hydrochloride, riboflavin, phylloquinone, chromium(III) chloride, pteroylmonoglutamic acid (folic acid), D-biotin, potassium iodide, sodium silenite, cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12)

[0048] In Fig. 1 shows part of a drinking device 10, which comprises a storage container for drinking liquid, a closure element closing a filling opening for drinking liquid, and optionally a lid that can be screwed onto the closure element. Part of the closure element is the Fig. 12 shown mouthpiece 12 of the drinking device. Also in Fig. 1 shows a fluid channel 14 for drinking liquid, which extends through the mouthpiece 12 and the adjoining head section 16 of the drinking device and has a fluid opening 18 through which drinking liquid is drawn in during the drinking process. During the drinking process, pure drinking liquid A is thus drawn in in the direction of the arrow.

[0049] An aroma container 20 according to the invention is coupled in a suitable manner to the drinking device 10. The aroma container 20 comprises in the embodiment according to Fig. 1 an interior space 22 through which air can flow, which is surrounded by a wall 24. The wall contains at least one air inlet opening 26 and at least one air outlet opening 28. The interior space 22 of the aroma container preferably contains a suitable carrier substance 30, which can be configured, for example, as a fleece or granulate.

[0050] The choice of carrier substance depends on its purpose. Fig. 1, the carrier substance 30 is impregnated with both a flavoring substance and a supplement. In Fig. 1 and in subsequent figures, for easier reference, a flavoring substance is indicated schematically with circles, a supplement is indicated schematically with squares.

[0051] In the interior 22 of the aroma container 20, a headspace 32 is also provided, which essentially represents the volume in the interior 22 not filled by carrier substance 30. The air inlet opening 26 is located in that part of the aroma container 20 covered by the carrier substance 30, preferably in a bottom section of the aroma container, and the air outlet opening 28 is located in the region of the headspace. As a result, when air flows through the aroma container 20, pure ambient air B flows into the aroma container 20 in the direction of arrow B, passes through the carrier substance 30, and is enriched with both aroma substance and supplement. In the direction of arrow C, air C laden with aroma substance and supplement enters the liquid channel 14 for drinking liquid and is dispersed in the drinking liquid conveyed therein in the form of small air bubbles.

[0052] A prerequisite for the design according to Fig. 1 of the aroma container 20 is that the aroma substance and supplement do not interact undesirably. When using the drinking device, a user thus draws in drinking liquid containing the aroma substance and supplement D in the direction of arrow D.

[0053] The embodiment according to Fig. 2 differs from that according to Fig. 1 in that the aroma container 20 has a first chamber 34 and a second chamber 36, which are connected to each other by a partition 38 with a connecting opening 40 therein. In the embodiment according to Fig. 2, the first chamber could contain carrier material 30 with flavoring substance, while the second chamber contains supplement. Similarly, the first chamber 34 could, of course, contain the supplement and the second chamber 36 the flavoring substance.

[0054] When air flows through the aroma container 20, pure air B flows into the aroma container in the direction of arrow B, is loaded with aroma substance in the carrier substance 30 of the first chamber 34 and is sucked into the second chamber 36 via the connecting opening 40 between the first chamber 34 and the second chamber 36. In the second chamber 36, the air is again passed through the carrier substance 30 impregnated with supplement and is fed through the air outlet opening 28 into an air channel 42 of the head part 16 and from there introduced as air C loaded with aroma substance and supplement in the direction of arrow C into the liquid channel 14 for drinking liquid.

[0055] The design according to Fig. 2 is particularly suitable in cases where the flavoring substances can be mixed with each other, but different carrier substances are preferred for the absorption of the flavoring substance and the supplement.

[0056] In contrast to the Fig. The arrangement of the first chamber and second chamber shown in Figure 2, which are connected in series in the direction of air flow through the aroma container, are in the embodiment according to Fig. 3, the first chamber 34 and the second chamber 36 of the aroma container 20 are arranged in parallel, so that each of the two chambers 34 and 36 has a separate air inlet opening 26 through which pure air B flows into the respective chamber and through air outlet openings 28 also provided in each of the first and second chambers 34, 36 into separate air channels 42 in the head part 16. The air bubbles entering the liquid channel 14 for drinking liquid thus have a different chemical composition. The drinking liquid with aroma substance and supplement marked in the direction of arrow D thus differs from the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in that the aroma substance and the supplement are essentially located in separate air bubbles, while in the embodiments according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is not the case. The design according to Fig. 3 is therefore particularly suitable when no significant mixing between the flavoring substance and the supplement is desired.

[0057] The embodiment according to Fig. 4 is similar to that of Fig. 3 in that separate air streams B of pure air, separated by a closed partition wall 38, flow through the first chamber 34 and the second chamber 36 and also leave the first chamber 34 and the second chamber 36 through separate air outlet openings 28, the air channel 42 in the head part 16 of the drinking device brings the two partial air streams, namely the air E laden with aroma substance and the air F laden with supplement, together again before the air C laden with aroma substance and supplement enters the liquid channel 14 for drinking liquid.

[0058] This design has the advantage that two different types of aroma containers can be used, namely aroma containers with a separate chamber for the supplement and aroma containers without such a separate chamber. In other words, the aroma container 20 could Fig. 4 can be replaced by another aroma container which does not have a partition 38, does not have a second air inlet opening 26 into the second chamber 36 and where in the Fig. 4, the air outlet opening 28 for air E loaded with aroma substance is arranged without any opening. Thus, only a single container is present with a single air outlet opening and the additionally provided path for receiving air emerging from a first chamber no longer serves any function. In this way, in the design according to Fig. 4 Either use an aroma container with two chambers for the additional addition of supplement or use an aroma container that only contains aroma substance.

[0059] In the embodiment according to Fig. 5 an aroma container as in Fig. 4. In contrast to the design according to Fig. 4, however, the air channel 42 in the head section 16 does not open into the liquid channel 14 for drinking liquid. A user thus draws pure drinking liquid A through the liquid opening 18. The air exiting through the respective air outlet openings 28 in the chambers 34 and 36—in this example, air E laden with flavoring substance and air F laden with supplement—thus enters the air channel 42, which is routed separately from the liquid channel 14 for drinking liquid to the mouthpiece 12, where it is drawn in by a user through an air opening 46.

[0060] In the embodiment according to Fig. 6, only the air exiting from the second chamber 36, in the present example air F loaded with supplement, is discharged via the air opening 46 separately to the drinking channel 14 for drinking liquid, while the first chamber 34 of the aroma container 20 opens into the liquid channel 14 for drinking liquid via a first air channel 421, which runs separately from the second air channel 422.

[0061] In addition, the aroma container is provided with a distribution chamber 44 so that the pure air B entering through a single common air inlet opening 50 is divided into two partial air flows which enter the chambers 34 and 36 via the air inlet openings 26 provided in the first and second chambers, respectively.

[0062] When using the drinking device according to Fig. 6 a user thus sucks in drinking liquid with aroma substance G, whereby the drinking liquid is present in the form of finely dispersed air bubbles, while at the same time air F loaded with supplement is sucked in during the drinking process.

[0063] The embodiment according to Fig. 7 differs from the previous embodiments in that a first air channel 421 is provided separately from a second air channel 422. The first air channel 421 is guided separately from the liquid channel 14 for drinking liquid to the mouthpiece 12 and ends there in the air opening 46, while the second air channel 422 is also guided separately from the liquid channel 14 for drinking liquid, but also to the first air channel 421 and exits in a second air opening 48 in the mouthpiece 12. The aroma container 20 can be Fig. 7 be partially led around the head part, for example be C-shaped and have separate chambers, as in Fig. 7 are shown.

[0064] Thus, in use, during the drinking process, when a user sucks on the mouthpiece 12, pure drinking liquid is sucked through the liquid channel 14 for drinking liquid, at the same time air E loaded with aroma substance is sucked through the first air channel 421, and air F loaded with supplement is sucked through the air channel 422.

[0065] In Fig. 8 shows an aroma container which, for example, in a device according to Fig. 7 and has a ring-shaped geometry.

[0066] The aroma container after Fig. 9 has a first chamber 34, which is designed as an aroma chamber and has an air outlet opening 28, which, when the aroma container is properly inserted into a corresponding drinking device for drinking liquid, is in flow connection with a corresponding air channel in the head part. The second chamber 36 can contain supplement and can be separated from the Fig. 9 in the direction of arrow H to the position shown in broken lines. In the position shown in Fig. In the position of the movable chamber 36 shown in Figure 9, its air outlet opening 28 is in flow connection with a corresponding air duct in the head part, while in the position of the movable second chamber 36 shown in broken lines, there is no flow connection. Thus, the Fig. The aroma container 20 shown in Figure 9 can be controlled by a user so that the addition of supplements can be switched on or off. The movement of the second chamber 26 can be performed by a user using a suitable actuating device.

[0067] In the embodiment according to Fig. 8, in contrast to the previous embodiments, the aroma container 20 is supplemented by a separate supplement container 50, which is movable in the direction of arrow I. The supplement container 50 has two sections. In a first section 52, there is no carrier material with supplement. Thus, if the supplement container 50 is moved in the direction of arrow I, the drinking liquid flowing through the liquid channel 14 for drinking liquid can flow unhindered through the first section 52. In this case, a user only consumes drinking liquid that is provided with aroma substance, because during the drinking process, air E laden with aroma substance is sucked from the aroma container 20 into the liquid channel 14 for drinking liquid.

[0068] At the Fig. In the position of the movable supplement container 50 shown in Figure 8, however, the fluid flows through a second section 54 of the movable supplement container 50. The second section 20 has a chamber filled with carrier substance 30, which is provided with flow-through boundaries, such as sieves 58, in the downstream and upstream flow directions, between which the carrier substance is held. Fig. In the position shown in Figure 8, the drinking liquid flows through the second section 54 and is enriched with supplement.

[0069] In contrast to the previous embodiments, when using the drinking device according to Fig. 8 The user thus either sucks in drinking liquid with only aroma substance G or drinking liquid with aroma substance and supplement D, whereby the supplement is not supplied in air bubbles, but is dissolved in the liquid and is thus absorbed orally by the user. List of reference symbols 10 Drinking device 12 Mouthpiece 14 Liquid channel for drinking liquid 16 Headboard 18 Liquid opening 20 aroma containers 22 Interior of the aroma container 24 Wall of the aroma container 26 Air inlet opening 28 Air outlet opening 30 Carrier substance 32 headroom 34 first chamber of the aroma container 36 Second chamber of the aroma container 38 Partition of the aroma container 40 connection opening 42 Air duct 421 first air duct 422 second air duct 44 Distribution chamber 46 Air opening 48 second air opening 50 supplement containers 52 first section 54 second section 56 common air inlet opening 58 Sieve A pure drinking liquid B clean air C Air laden with aroma substance and supplement D Drinking liquid with flavoring substance and supplement E air laden with aroma substance F supplement-laden air G Drinking liquid with flavoring substance QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2019 / 016096 A1

[0004] WO 2021 / 233516 A1 [0005, 0013]

Claims

[1] Aroma container for a drinking device (10), comprising: - an air-flowable interior space (22) which is surrounded by a wall (24) and comprises at least one air inlet opening (26) and at least one air outlet opening (28); - a carrier substance (30) for at least one aroma substance in the interior (22); and - a dispensing device (36) for a supplement through which air can flow, wherein the dispensing device (36) is integrated into the aroma container (20) or can be coupled to a part of the aroma container. [2] Aroma container according to claim 1, characterized by that the supplement comprises one or more substances selected from the group comprising minerals, vitamins, vitaminoids, caffeine, alcohol, cannabinoid, antioxidants, flavonoids and proteins. [3] Aroma container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the carrier substance (30) is impregnated with the at least one aroma substance. [4] Aroma container according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a user-operable activation device designed to activate the addition of supplement. [5] Aroma container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the interior (22) comprises: - at least one aroma chamber (34) through which air can flow, which at least partially contains the at least one aroma substance; and - a supplement chamber (36) through which air can flow and which at least partially contains the supplement. [6] Aroma container according to claim 5, characterized by that in the flow direction of the air between the air inlet opening (26) and the air outlet opening (28) the supplement chamber (36) is arranged downstream of the at least one aroma chamber (34). [7] Aroma container according to claim 5, characterized by , that - the at least one aroma chamber (34) can be flowed through by a first air stream and is in flow connection with the air outlet opening (28); and - the supplement chamber (36) can be flowed through by a second air stream and is in flow connection with a second air outlet opening (28). [8] Drinking device comprising - at least one aroma container (20) according to one of the preceding claims, which is attached to the drinking device (10); and - a head part (16) with a liquid channel (14) for drinking liquid, through which drinking liquid can be transported to a mouthpiece (12). [9] Drinking device according to claim 8, characterized by that the air outlet opening (28) of the aroma container (20) is in flow connection with an air channel (42) of the head part (16) which opens into the liquid channel. [10] Drinking device according to claim 8, characterized bythat the air outlet opening (28) is in flow connection with an air channel (42; 421; 422) which runs separately from the liquid channel (14) and comprises an air opening (46; 48) in the mouthpiece near a liquid opening (18) of the liquid channel (14). [11] Drinking device according to claim 8, characterized by that the aroma container comprises a second air outlet opening (48), wherein - the air outlet opening (46) is in flow connection with an air channel (42; 421) which either opens into the liquid channel (14) or runs separately from the liquid channel (14) and comprises an air opening (46) in the mouthpiece (12) near a liquid opening (18) of the liquid channel (14); and - the second air outlet opening (28) is in flow connection with a second air channel (422) which runs separately from the liquid channel (14) and comprises a second air opening (48) in the mouthpiece near a liquid opening (18) of the liquid channel (14). [12] Drinking device comprising: - an aroma container (20) according to claim 7 which is attached to the drinking device (10); and - a head part (16) with a liquid channel (14) for drinking liquid, through which drinking liquid can be transported to a mouthpiece (12); wherein - the air outlet opening (28) is in flow connection with an air channel (42, 421) which either opens into the liquid channel (14) or runs separately from the liquid channel (14) and comprises an air opening (46) in the mouthpiece (12) near a liquid opening (18) of the liquid channel (14); and - the second air outlet opening (28) is in flow connection with a second air channel (42) which opens into the liquid channel (14) for drinking liquid. [13] Drinking device comprising: an aroma container (20) for a drinking device with: - an interior space (22) through which air can flow, which is surrounded by a wall (24) and comprises an air inlet opening (26) and an air outlet opening (28); and - a carrier substance (30) for at least one aroma substance in the interior (22); and - a dispensing device (36) for a supplement through which air can flow, wherein the dispensing device for a supplement, wherein the dispensing device in the supplement is arranged in an air channel (42) which either has a supplement dispensing opening in the mouthpiece or opens into the liquid channel (14) for drinking liquid. [14] Drinking device comprising: an aroma container (20) for a drinking device with: - an interior space (22) through which air can flow, which is surrounded by a wall (24) and comprises an air inlet opening (26) and an air outlet opening (28); and - a carrier substance (30) for at least one aroma substance in the interior (22); and - a dispensing device (50) for a supplement through which liquid can flow, wherein the dispensing device (50) for a supplement is in flow connection with a liquid channel (14) for drinking liquid and is arranged such that it can be flowed through by at least a partial flow of the liquid flowing through the liquid channel (14).

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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    WO2019016096A1

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