Closing structure for a refillable vessel and drinking device

Abstract

A closing structure (10) attachable to and detachable from a refillable vessel (20) for containing a liquid comprises a drinking straw (12) with an interior duct, a first end and a second end in a longitudinal direction of the drinking straw, an attachment structure (32) for attaching a replaceable aroma container (30), the aroma container having an interior aroma chamber and an air inlet opening (42) and an air outlet opening (40), a fixed element (46) which comprises an air duct (52) and a fluid guiding duct (50) in fluid communication with the interior duct (14) of the drinking straw (12). The closing structure comprises a movable element (48) attached to the fixed element (46) and rotationally movable relative to the fixed element. The movable element (48) comprising a spout section (54) and at least one stop means (78) for restricting the relative movement of the movable element (48) relative to the fixed element (46) such that the movable element is rotationally movable relative to the fixed element between a storing position and an operational position.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to a closing structure attachable to and detachable from a refillable vessel for containing a liquid, and a drinking device with such closing structure.Prior Art

[0002] There is an increasing need to ingest drinking liquids which on the one hand have a pleasant taste profile but on the other hand prevent health risks which could be brought about by the ingestion of aroma substances or stabilizing agents dissolved in the drinking liquid. The intake of an increased quantity of calories is also to be avoided.

[0003] Water which has been given a slightly fruity aroma has therefore become popular. However, even in this aromatized water there are undesired additives such as stabilisation agents and a certain proportion of sugar, which is why these aromatized beverages likewise have a quantity of calories which is rejected by many users. A first step towards solving this problem consists in only adding the flavouring aroma to the beverage just before it is consumed. An aroma substance originally provided separately is delivered to the drinking liquid and dissolved in it immediately before or during the consumption of the beverage. Although this measure allows problems such as the stabilisation of the drinking liquid to be avoided over a prolonged period of time, the problem of the undesired ingestion of additives remains.

[0004] Since the olfactory sensation plays a significant part in gustatory perception in the consumption of food and beverages, systems to date have attempted to influence the odour perceived while drinking. To that end US 5,635,229 proposes an aroma element which can be attached close to the drinking opening on a drinking container so that the aroma element is situated in the immediate proximity of the nose of the user who breathes through the nose while drinking and thereby takes in the aroma orthonasally.

[0005] Drinking devices have been suggested for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance comprising a storage container for drinking liquid, at least one aroma container through which air can flow, and a transporting channel for drinking liquid running from the storage container to a mouth end of the drinking device. Further, an air channel is provided for transporting aromatized air, wherein the air channel runs from an aroma container to the transporting channel for drinking liquid or to the mouth end. Such drinking device is known from WO 2019 / 016096 A1.

[0006] WO 2021 / 233516 A1 describes an aroma container and drinking device which also serves for the retronasal perception of an aroma.

[0007] The substantial aspect of such drinking systems consists in that the aroma substance is perceived retronasally. During drinking the aroma substance reaches the mouth of the user together with the drinking liquid and subsequently rises retronasally via the pharynx to the olfactory mucosa (regio olfactoria), where it is captured by the receptors situated there and is perceived by the user. Advantage is taken of the fact that there is a close correlation between the sense of smell and the sense of taste. The user therefore gains the impression that he / she is tasting the aroma, even though it is in fact only smelled retronasally.

[0008] A person's sense of taste is substantially determined by the retronasal sense of smell. The receptors of the tongue can only distinguish between sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami, whereas the differentiated sense of taste arises in that the gaseous phase of food stuffs and liquids in the pharynx ascends via the retronasal route and reaches the olfactory mucosa. The sensors located there trigger neurological processes which cause the taste impression to arise in the brain. Thus, a person to whose pharynx an aroma is delivered during drinking gains the impression that the beverage is aromatized, since the retronasal smelling process creates in the brain a sensation that the beverage is the source of the aroma, even though the user is ingesting a pure and unadulterated, i.e., non-aromatized, liquid such as water.

[0009] If the odour is perceived by breathing in through the nose, known as the orthonasal perception of an aroma substance, this impression does not arrive to the same extent since the sensation is linked to the rate of breathing and thus the user gains the correct impression that he / she is only smelling the aroma substance, but not tasting it as is the case with retronasal perception.

[0010] In the drinking device according to WO 2020 / 126210 A1, an aroma container is described which can be axially shifted relative to a mouthpiece between a position in which air cannot pass through the aroma container, and a position in which the aroma container is operating allowing aromatized air to enter a transport channel for drinking liquid so that the aromatized air can be orally administered and retronasally perceived by a user. In order to bring the drinking device into an operating position, several independent steps need to be carried out. In a first step, the cap has to be opened, e.g., screwed off. In a second step, the aroma container has to be shifted from a storing position to an operating position in which it is activated. After drinking, the aroma container has to be shifted back into the storing position and the cap has to be closed.Summary of the Invention

[0011] It is the object of the invention to suggest a closing structure which is more convenient to use.

[0012] This object is solved by a closing structure with the features of claim 1, and a drinking device with the features of claim 16. Preferred embodiments follow from the other claims.

[0013] A closing structure according to the invention is attachable to and detachable from a refillable vessel for containing a liquid and comprises a drinking straw with an interior duct, a first end and a second end in the longitudinal direction of the drinking straw, an attachment structure for attaching a replaceable aroma container, the aroma container having an interior aroma chamber and an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, a fixed element either comprising an attachment means configured to attach the first end of the drinking straw or being integrally formed with the drinking straw, the fixed element further comprising an air duct and a fluid guiding duct in fluid communication with the interior duct of the drinking straw. The closing structure according to the invention further comprises a movable element attached to the fixed element and being rotationally movable relative to the fixed element, the movable element comprising a spout section and at least one stop means for restricting the relative movement of the movable element relative to the fixed element such that the movable element is rotationally movable relative to the fixed element between a storing position and an operational position.

[0014] According to the invention, a closing structure is provided comprising a fixed element and a movable element. A drinking straw is either attachable to the fixed element, or the fixed element is integrally formed with a drinking straw. The movable element is attached to the fixed element and rotationally movable relative to the fixed element. The movable element comprises a spout section and at least one stop means. The movable element can be moved relative to the fixed element in a rotational direction and is movable between a storing position and an operational position.

[0015] Since the fixed element further comprises a fluid guiding duct in fluid communication with the interior duct of the drinking straw, the operational position of the movable element comprising the spout section is such that the fluid guiding duct in the fixed element needs to be in fluid communication with the spout section so that a user can drink once the closing structure is attached to a refillable vessel containing a drinking liquid.

[0016] Further, the closing structure is already prepared to be used in a drinking device for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance. It has a suitable attachment structure for attaching a replaceable aroma container, and the fixed element further comprises an air or any other means for establishing communication with air. Therefore, a replaceable aroma container adapted to the geometry of the closing structure can be attached to the closing structure, and air entering an air inlet opening of the aroma container, flowing through an interior aroma chamber of the aroma container and been sucked out of an air outlet opening of the aroma container can enter the air duct where the aromatized air sucked in either enters the fluid guiding duct to become finely dispersed within the drinking liquid, or can enter the air duct and is guided towards the spout section separate from the drinking liquid.

[0017] The closing structure can either be used with an ordinary vessel for drinking liquid or with the vessel of a drinking device for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance. In the first case, it might be possible to provide a closing structure which either closes the air duct within the fixed element or closes a separately provided air channel in the spout section. As an alternative, it is also possible to use the closing structure without a replaceable aroma container and to allow a certain amount of air to be sucked in together with, e.g., water and to become finely dispersed therein. Preferably, however, the closing structure is part of a drinking device for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance, and a replaceable aroma container is attached.

[0018] The movement of the movable element between the storing position and an operational position is limited by at least one stop means which restricts the relative movement of the movable element relative to the fixed element. The stop means can be provided at both end positions of the rotational range of movement of the movable element relative to the fixed element. The provision of a stop means provides guidance to the user to easily identify the operational position of the closing structure and helps to make its use more convenient.

[0019] Likewise, the storing position might also be defined by a stop means which restricts a rotational movement of the movable element relative to the fixed element from the operational position beyond the storing position. In the storing position, there is no more fluid communication between the fluid guiding duct and a drinking opening in the spout section so that an inadvertent spilling of drinking liquid through the spout section can be prevented.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the movable element comprises a convex sliding surface, and the fixed element comprises a concave sliding surface shaped and arranged to provide for a sliding movement of the convex sliding surface relative to and in contact with the concave sliding surface. The cooperation of a convex sliding surface and a concave sliding surface, which in a fully equivalent way can also be reversed such that the movable element comprises the concave sliding surface and the fixed element comprises a convex sliding surface, provides for a stable and guided relative movement because cooperating convex and concave sliding surfaces provide for a good mutual support.

[0021] Preferably, the spout section has a mouth end and a fluid channel with a first opening at the mouth end and a second opening at the end opposite to the first opening. Such structure makes it possible to provide a fluid communication between the fluid channel in the movable element and the fluid guiding duct in the fixed element if the fixed element is in the operational position. The provision of the interface between the fluid channel of the movable element and the fluid guiding duct in the fixed element is formed such as to allow for an accurate relative positioning such that, in the operational position of the movable element, a user can suck in liquid through the mouth end of the spout section, which liquid flows through the interior duct of the drinking straw, the fluid guiding duct in the fixed element and the fluid channel in the movable element. The provision of such interface makes it possible to avoid a possible leakage of liquid leaving the fluid guiding duct before entering the fluid channel.

[0022] According to the invention, the air duct has a first air duct section with an aroma inlet, and which is in fluid communication with the air outlet opening and attached aroma container, which first air duct section, in the longitudinal direction, has a varying cross-sectional surface, preferably continuously increasing towards the aroma inlet end. Such varying cross-sectional surface provides better access for cleaning purposes, and additional provides for a certain tolerance when attaching the aroma container if the varying cross-sectional surface continuously increases towards the aroma inlet end facing the aroma container. An aroma container which is not exactly positioned relative to the closing structure will still be operable because an increased cross-sectional surface of the air duct at the end facing the aroma container compensates for certain deviations of the aroma container from the accurate attachment position if the cross-sectional area of the aroma inlet end exceed the cross-sectional area of the aroma outlet opening of the aroma container.

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

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the air duct in the fixed element further comprises a depression provided in the convex sliding surface and a groove formed in the concave sliding surface, wherein in the operational position, a fluid communication is provided between the depression and the first air duct section, and between the depression and the groove, wherein the groove opens into the fluid guiding duct. In other words, in the operational position, air leaving the air outlet opening of the container may enter the first air duct section, enter the depression by means of the fluid communication between the first air duct section and the depression, and may enter the groove because of the fluid communication between the depression and the groove. Finally, the air may enter the fluid guiding duct because the groove opens into the fluid guiding duct.

[0025] This specific structure provides for a tortuous path of the air between the aroma container and the fluid guiding duct. It acts like a labyrinth seal and prevents drinking liquid to enter the aroma container.

[0026] Preferably, there is a narrowed section in the fluid guiding duct, which narrowed section is closer to the first end of the drinking straw than a position at which an opening of the air duct in the fluid guiding duct is arranged. Preferably, the narrowed section is adjacent to the opening of the air duct in the fluid guiding duct. Such narrowed section locally speeds up the flow of drinking liquid flowing through the fluid guiding duct and generates a venturi effect which promotes the sucking in of air through the air duct into the fluid guiding duct.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the closing structure further comprises a vent channel connecting the outside atmosphere and a surface of the closing structure which, when attached to a refillable vessel, faces the interior volume of the vessel.

[0028] Such a vent channel allows air to flow in when a user sucks out liquid from the interior chamber of the vessel. When the associated drinking device is in use and a user sucks in and removes liquid from the interior chamber of the vessel, air has to flow in to avoid the building up of sub-pressure in the interior chamber of the vessel. The vent channel connecting the outside atmosphere and a surface of the closing structure which, when attached to a refillable vessel, faces the interior volume of the vessel, establishes a connection between the outside atmosphere and an interior volume of the vessel such that an appropriate amount of air is allowed to flow in from the outside atmosphere into the interior chamber for holding liquid if liquid is removed through the fluid guiding duct.

[0029] Preferably, the fixed part comprises a first fixed part element and a second fixed part element attached to the first fixed part element. The provision of separated parts has the advantage that the fixed part of the closing structure with a highly complex shape is easier to manufacture by means of an injection molding process.

[0030] In this context, it is preferable that the vent channel comprises a vent channel section formed in an abutting surface between the first fixed part element and the second fixed part element. In such a way, the vent channel having a very small cross-section can be easily formed. Preferably, it is formed by a groove in the first fixed part element and / or the second fixed part element. This provides for an easy manufacturing of the vent channel in abutting surfaces of the first fixed part element and the second foxed part element. If the vent channel is provided with a very small cross-section, the capillary effect will prevent a leakage of the drinking liquid through the vent channel.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one stop means comprises a stop member attached to or integrally formed with the spout section, wherein the stop member is arranged such that, in the operational position, the stop member rests against the step portion of the fixed element. The provision of such stop member attached to or integrally formed with the spout section in the immediate surrounding of the mouth end of the closing structure has the advantage that a user can readily recognize or confirm that the movable element is in the operational position and the movable element cannot be further rotated relative to the fixed element because the stop member rests against a step portion of the fixed element.

[0032] Preferably, the stop member comprises an actuating member which is arranged such that the rotational movement of the spout is hand operated by pressing on the actuating member. In such a preferred embodiment, the stop member has a double function. It defines the end position of the relative rotational movement between the movable element and the fixed element and, at the same time, comprises an actuating member hand-operated by a user who uses the actuating member to move the movable element between the rest position and the operational position.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the movable element comprises a means for closing the vent channel in the storing position. Such structure is advantageous in that, in the storing position, even a rough impact on a drinking device provided with the closing structure will not lead to the inadvertent spilling of liquid through the vent channel because both the fluid guiding duct in the fixed element and the vent channel are closed by the movable element.

[0034] Preferably, the drinking devices for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance further comprises a replaceable aroma container attached to the attachment structure of the closing structure.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the aroma container is shaped such that it at least partially surrounds the fixed element. Such arrangement provides for a well-balanced weight distribution of the closing structure with an attached aroma container and further additionally fixes an attached aroma container when the movable element is in the storing position because, once the movable element including a spout section is rotationally moved into the storing position, a detachment of the aroma container can be prevented if the aroma container, e.g. surrounding the fixed element, might no longer be movable or at least removable in a direction towards the movable element because such displacement required for removing the aroma container is blocked by the spout section tilted into the storing position.

[0036] In the storing position, a part of the movable element could even abut and bear against an aroma container such that the aroma container cannot leave the appropriate operational position attached to the fixed element or, in case that the aroma container in use made a slight positional deviation from the appropriate operating position, is even pushed back into the appropriate operating position each time the movable element is brought into its storing position.

[0037] The inventive drinking device comprises a vessel with an interior chamber for holding a liquid, which interior chamber is open at a filling opening, and a closing structure according to the invention which is attachable to and detachable from the vessel at or close to the filling opening.

[0038] For the attachment of the closing structure to the vessel any suitable means can be provided, like a threaded connection, a bayonet-type connection or a clamping connection. Since, in use, the drinking device is supposed to be refilled many times, a connecting structure between the closing structure and the vessel is preferred which has a function which is immediately apparent to a user, like a screwing on threat or a connection of the bayonet type.

[0039] The closing structure according to the invention can be attachable to the vessel of any kind of drinking device. However, it is preferably designed such as to be attachable to a vessel of a drinking device for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance. In this case, the closing structure needs to comprise a suitable structure to allow aromatized air to be directed towards the mouthpiece. The aromatized air can either be administered to the drinking liquid and become dispersed therein, or a duct for the aromatized air might run separately from the transport channel for drinking liquid to the mouthpiece where a user might simultaneously suck in drinking liquid and aromatized air which are not mixed together to form a gas-liquid dispersion.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0040] In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings in which: Fig. 1is a cross-sectional view of the drinking device with the closing structure according to the invention; Fig. 2is an enlarged cross-sectional partial view of the closing structure in its operational position; Fig. 3is an enlarged cross-sectional partial view of the closing structure in its storing position; and Fig. 4is an enlarged cross-sectional partial view in another cross-sectional plane of the closing structure in its operational position. Description of preferred Embodiments

[0041] Throughout the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0042] In Fig. 1, a cross-sectional view is shown of the closing structure 10 attached to the vessel 20 of a drinking device. The vessel 20 has an interior volume 22 which can have any suitable shape. The closing structure is provided with a drinking straw 12 with an interior duct 14, a first end 16 and a second end 18 defined in the longitudinal direction of the drinking straw 12. The closing structure 10 is provided with an attachment structure 24 which is configured to hold the first end 16 of the drinking straw 12. As an alternative not shown in the drawings, the drinking straw can be integrally formed with the closing structure.

[0043] Further, the closing structure 10 is provided with a second attachment structure 26 like threads to couple the closing structure to the vessel 20 at or close to a filling opening 28. The second attachment structure can be embodied in any suitable form which allows for an easy and safe repeated detachment and attachment of the closing structure 10 to the vessel 20. An easy detachment and attachment is important because over the lifetime of the drinking device, it is refilled numerous times and for this purpose, the closing structure 10 is detached from the vessel 20 and attached again every time the vessel is refilled.

[0044] Preferably, the fixed part 46 of the closing structure and the movable part 48 of the closing structure are made of plastic material, like silicon or EPDM rubber (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber). Preferably food grade plastic material is used.

[0045] The closing structure 10 comprises a suitable third attachment structure 32 for attaching and positioning an aroma container 30.

[0046] The aroma container 30 has a top wall 34 which is preferably flat, at least in regions, so that a label 38 can be affixed to the outside of the top wall 34. The aroma container has an interior aroma chamber at least partially filled with a carrier substance impregnated with an aroma substance.

[0047] The aroma container 30 is substantially annular, comprising a circular ring-shaped outer sidewall 36, and an inner sidewall 38 which deviates from a circular shape. In other words, the space surrounded by the inner sidewall 38 has a cross-sectional area which is not circular.

[0048] This illustrated geometry of the inner sidewall 38 of the aroma container allows for a defined positioning of the aroma container 30 on a correspondingly shaped third attachment structure 32 of the closing structure 10. Therefore, the aroma container 30 can only be placed in one single angular position, i.e., with respect to rotation in the plane of the top wall 34.

[0049] The air outlet opening 40 is located in the inner sidewall 38, and an air inlet opening 42 in a bottom wall 44 is preferably arranged at a position of the bottom wall 44 which, in the essentially ring-shaped aroma container 30, is diametrically opposed to the air outlet opening 40 so that the air flow flowing through the aroma container 30 has to travel as wide a travel distance as possible, and can thus be enridged with aroma substance in a particularly effective manner.

[0050] The shape of the aroma container 30 in the embodiment as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 is only an example and any suitable shape of the aroma container can be provided.

[0051] The closure 10 comprises a fixed part 46 and a movable part 48. The movable part 48 is attached to the fixed part 46 and rotationally movable in the direction of arrow A between an operational position as shown in Fig. 2 and a storing position as shown in Fig. 3. In the fixed element, a fluid guiding duct 50 is provided which is in fluid communication with the interior duct 14 of the drinking straw 12. Further, the fixed part 46 comprises an air duct 52 which, when the aroma container 30 is mounted to the fixed part 46, is in fluid communication with the air outlet opening 40 of the aroma container 30.

[0052] The movable part 48 comprises a spout section 54 with a mouth end 56 and a fluid channel 58 with a first opening 60 at the mouth end 56 and a second opening longitudinally opposite to the first end. In the operational position, the second opening 62 of the spout section 54 establishes a fluid communication with the fluid guiding duct 50 in the fixed part. Accordingly, a user can suck in liquid through the mouth end 56, which liquid enters the second end 18 of the drinking straw 12, enters the fluid guiding duct 50 of the fixed part 46 and enters through the second opening 62 the fluid channel 58 where it is transported up to the first opening 60 of the spout section 54.

[0053] In a drinking device adapted for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance, there is fluid communication between the air duct 52 and the fluid guiding duct 50.

[0054] When the movable part 48 of the closing structure 10 is moved relative to the fixed part 46, a portion of the movable part 48 slides over a correspondingly arranged and formed portion of the fixed part 46 of the closing structure 10. In the specific example as shown in the drawings, the movable part 48 is provided with a convex shaped portion embodied as a convex sliding surface 64, whereas the fixed part 46 of the closing structure 10 comprises a concave sliding surface 66. When the movable part 48 is moved relative to the fixed part 46, the convex sliding surface 64 of the movable part slides over the concave sliding surface 66 of the fixed part 46.

[0055] The movable part can be attached to the fixed part by means of any suitable hinge element.

[0056] As can be best seen in Fig. 4, the concave sliding surface 66 of the movable part 48 is provided with a depression 68 which, in the operational position as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, is in fluid communication with the air duct 52 of the fixed part 46.

[0057] In the concave sliding surface 66, a groove 70 is formed which is part of the fluid communication between the air duct 52 and the fluid guiding duct 50. Further, a narrowed section 72 is provided in the wall surrounding the fluid guiding duct 50. This narrowed section 72 is closer to the first end 16 of the drinking straw 12 than a position at which an opening 74 of the air duct 52 leading into the fluid guiding duct 50 is arranged.

[0058] Such narrowed section 72 generates a venturi effect when liquid flows through the fluid guiding duct 50 towards the mouth end. The local narrowing of the fluid guiding duct 50 leads to an increase of the flow velocity of drinking liquid flowing towards the mouth end. Such increased velocity enhances the entrainment of air as well as the fine dispersion of air added through the air duct 52. The provision of the narrowed section 72 has the further advantage that it prevents the undesired ingress of water into the air duct 52 and into the aroma container 30.

[0059] As can also be seen in Figs. 2 to 4, the air duct 52 is provided with an air duct section 76, which has a longitudinal axis which is straight. The air duct section 76 has a varying cross-sectional area increasing towards the air outlet opening 40 of the aroma container 30. Such geometry of the air duct section 76 is advantageous in that it is better accessible for cleaning purposes. Further, a slight misplacement of the aroma container 30 relative to the third attachment structure 32 can be compensated so that the drinking device can also be used in case that a user did not insert the aroma container in a way that it rests in an appropriate way on the third attachment structure.

[0060] Turning again to Fig. 2, which shows the movable part 48 in its operational position, the movable part is provided with a stop member 78 integrally formed with the movable part 48. The stop member 78 serves a double function. On the one hand, in the operational position, the stop member 78 rests against an abutting surface 80 of the fixed part 46 so that the movable part 48 cannot be further rotated in the direction opposition to arrow A beyond the correct operational position. The second function of the stop member 78 is its use as a tab which can be easily gripped by the user to move the movable part 48 between the operational position as shown in Fig. 2 and the storing position as shown in Fig. 3.

[0061] Turning now to Fig. 3, which shows the storing 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, due to the fixed mutual arrangement of the fixed part 46 and the aroma container 30, is still in fluid communication with the air outlet opening 40 of the aroma container, is no longer in fluid communication with the depression 68 in the concave sliding surface 66 so that the air communication through the air duct 52 is interrupted.

[0062] A further detail is shown in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 4. The fixed part 46 comprises a first fixed part element 82 and a second fixed part element 84. In abutting surfaces of the first fixed part element 82 and the second fixed part element 84, a vent groove 86 is formed which is part of a vent channel 92 establishing an air path between the interior volume 22 of the vessel 20 and the outside atmosphere. The vent groove 86 is in fluid communication with a through hole 88 in the first fixed part element 82 so that a ventilation path indicated as a dash-dotted line B is formed extending through the closing structure 10. In the storing position as shown in Fig. 3, all channels are closed which also includes the vent channel 92 because there is a contact line 90 between the movable part 48 and the fixed part 46 closing the vent channel 92 in the storing position.

[0063] The spout section 54 of the movable part 48 prevents an inadvertent removal of the aroma container 30 from the drinking device. In the position as shown in Fig. 3, the wall surrounding the fluid channel 49 of the spout section 54 comes close to the top wall 34 of the aroma container 30. The aroma container can only be shifted upwards to a negligible extent before, in the storing position, the top wall of the aroma container will abut against the spout section and no further upwards movement of the aroma container is possible. Since such minor upwards movability of the aroma container cannot be exceeded, and since the air duct section 76 widens in a direction towards the aroma container, the restricted movability of the aroma container in an upwards-downwards direction does not lead to a mutual positioning in which the air outlet hole 40 of the aroma container is no longer in communication with the air duct 52 in the fixed part. In case that, during use, the aroma container should be inadvertently moved in an upwards direction so that it can no longer provide aromatized air, it will be automatically shifted back into a correct working position once the movable part 48 will be moved into its storing position.

[0064] The geometrical arrangement of the vent channel, the air duct 52 and the fluid communication between the fluid guiding duct 50 and the fluid channel 58 are such that, when the movable part is moved from the storing position as shown in Fig. 3 towards the operational position as shown in Fig. 2, the vent channel 92 is opened first such that a pressure equalization between the interior volume 22 of the vessel 20 and the outside atmosphere takes place before the fluid guiding duct 50 comes into fluid communication with the fluid channel 58. This prevents the spilling out of drinking liquid in case that an atmospheric overpressure should have formed within the interior volume 22 of the vessel 20. Such overpressure can form if the drinking device is allowed to heat up in a warm environment of it is used in an airplane during a flight where the ambient pressure is lower than the atmospheric pressure which existed when filling the drinking device on ground before the flight.

[0065] The inventive closing structure is easy to use and does not require a user to move the aroma container from an operative into a non-operative position. All that is required is to tilt the movable part comprising the spout between its storing position and operational position.Reference List

[0066] 10closing structure 12drinking straw 14interior duct 16first end of drinking straw 18second end of drinking straw 20vessel 22interior volume of vessel 24attachment structure of closing structure 26second attachment structure of closing structure 28filling opening 30aroma container 32third attachment structure of closing structure 34top wall of aroma container 36outer sidewall 38inner sidewall 40air outlet opening 42air inlet opening 44bottom wall of aroma container 46fixed part of closing structure 48movable part of closing structure 50fluid guiding duct 52air duct 54spout section 56mouth end 58fluid channel 60first opening 62second opening 64convex sliding surface 66concave sliding surface 68depression 70groove 72narrowed section 74opening 76air duct section 78stop member 80abutting surface 82first fixed part element 84second fixed part element 86vent groove 88through hole 90contact line 92vent channel

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0041]Throughout the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0042]In Fig. 1, a cross-sectional view is shown of the closing structure 10 attached to the vessel 20 of a drinking device. The vessel 20 has an interior volume 22 which can have any suitable shape. The closing structure is provided with a drinking straw 12 with an interior duct 14, a first end 16 and a second end 18 defined in the longitudinal direction of the drinking straw 12. The closing structure 10 is provided with an attachment structure 24 which is configured to hold the first end 16 of the drinking straw 12. As an alternative not shown in the drawings, the drinking straw can be integrally formed with the closing structure.

[0043]Further, the closing structure 10 is provided with a second attachment structure 26 like threads to couple the closing structure to the vessel 20 at or close to a filling opening 28. The second attachment structure can be embodied in any suitable form whi...

Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to a closing structure attachable to and detachable from a refillable vessel for containing a liquid, and a drinking device with such closing structure.Prior Art

[0002] There is an increasing need to ingest drinking liquids which on the one hand have a pleasant taste profile but on the other hand prevent health risks which could be brought about by the ingestion of aroma substances or stabilizing agents dissolved in the drinking liquid. The intake of an increased quantity of calories is also to be avoided.

[0003] Water which has been given a slightly fruity aroma has therefore become popular. However, even in this aromatized water there are undesired additives such as stabilisation agents and a certain proportion of sugar, which is why these aromatized beverages likewise have a quantity of calories which is rejected by many users. A first step towards solving this problem consists in only adding the flavouring aroma to the beverage just before it is consumed. An aroma substance originally provided separately is delivered to the drinking liquid and dissolved in it immediately before or during the consumption of the beverage. Although this measure allows problems such as the stabilisation of the drinking liquid to be avoided over a prolonged period of time, the problem of the undesired ingestion of additives remains.

[0004] Since the olfactory sensation plays a significant part in gustatory perception in the consumption of food and beverages, systems to date have attempted to influence the odour perceived while drinking. To that end US 5,635,229 proposes an aroma element which can be attached close to the drinking opening on a drinking container so that the aroma element is situated in the immediate proximity of the nose of the user who breathes through the nose while drinking and thereby takes in the aroma orthonasally.

[0005] Drinking devices have been suggested for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance comprising a storage container for drinking liquid, at least one aroma container through which air can flow, and a transporting channel for drinking liquid running from the storage container to a mouth end of the drinking device. Further, an air channel is provided for transporting aromatized air, wherein the air channel runs from an aroma container to the transporting channel for drinking liquid or to the mouth end. Such drinking device is known from WO 2019 / 016096 A1.

[0006] WO 2021 / 233516 A1 describes an aroma container and drinking device which also serves for the retronasal perception of an aroma.

[0007] The substantial aspect of such drinking systems consists in that the aroma substance is perceived retronasally. During drinking the aroma substance reaches the mouth of the user together with the drinking liquid and subsequently rises retronasally via the pharynx to the olfactory mucosa (regio olfactoria), where it is captured by the receptors situated there and is perceived by the user. Advantage is taken of the fact that there is a close correlation between the sense of smell and the sense of taste. The user therefore gains the impression that he / she is tasting the aroma, even though it is in fact only smelled retronasally.

[0008] A person's sense of taste is substantially determined by the retronasal sense of smell. The receptors of the tongue can only distinguish between sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami, whereas the differentiated sense of taste arises in that the gaseous phase of food stuffs and liquids in the pharynx ascends via the retronasal route and reaches the olfactory mucosa. The sensors located there trigger neurological processes which cause the taste impression to arise in the brain. Thus, a person to whose pharynx an aroma is delivered during drinking gains the impression that the beverage is aromatized, since the retronasal smelling process creates in the brain a sensation that the beverage is the source of the aroma, even though the user is ingesting a pure and unadulterated, i.e., non-aromatized, liquid such as water.

[0009] If the odour is perceived by breathing in through the nose, known as the orthonasal perception of an aroma substance, this impression does not arrive to the same extent since the sensation is linked to the rate of breathing and thus the user gains the correct impression that he / she is only smelling the aroma substance, but not tasting it as is the case with retronasal perception.

[0010] In the drinking device according to WO 2020 / 126210 A1, an aroma container is described which can be axially shifted relative to a mouthpiece between a position in which air cannot pass through the aroma container, and a position in which the aroma container is operating allowing aromatized air to enter a transport channel for drinking liquid so that the aromatized air can be orally administered and retronasally perceived by a user. In order to bring the drinking device into an operating position, several independent steps need to be carried out. In a first step, the cap has to be opened, e.g., screwed off. In a second step, the aroma container has to be shifted from a storing position to an operating position in which it is activated. After drinking, the aroma container has to be shifted back into the storing position and the cap has to be closed.Summary of the Invention

[0011] It is the object of the invention to suggest a closing structure which is more convenient to use.

[0012] This object is solved by a closing structure with the features of claim 1, and a drinking device with the features of claim 16. Preferred embodiments follow from the other claims.

[0013] A closing structure according to the invention is attachable to and detachable from a refillable vessel for containing a liquid and comprises a drinking straw with an interior duct, a first end and a second end in the longitudinal direction of the drinking straw, an attachment structure for attaching a replaceable aroma container, the aroma container having an interior aroma chamber and an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, a fixed element either comprising an attachment means configured to attach the first end of the drinking straw or being integrally formed with the drinking straw, the fixed element further comprising an air duct and a fluid guiding duct in fluid communication with the interior duct of the drinking straw. The closing structure according to the invention further comprises a movable element attached to the fixed element and being rotationally movable relative to the fixed element, the movable element comprising a spout section and at least one stop means for restricting the relative movement of the movable element relative to the fixed element such that the movable element is rotationally movable relative to the fixed element between a storing position and an operational position.

[0014] According to the invention, a closing structure is provided comprising a fixed element and a movable element. A drinking straw is either attachable to the fixed element, or the fixed element is integrally formed with a drinking straw. The movable element is attached to the fixed element and rotationally movable relative to the fixed element. The movable element comprises a spout section and at least one stop means. The movable element can be moved relative to the fixed element in a rotational direction and is movable between a storing position and an operational position.

[0015] Since the fixed element further comprises a fluid guiding duct in fluid communication with the interior duct of the drinking straw, the operational position of the movable element comprising the spout section is such that the fluid guiding duct in the fixed element needs to be in fluid communication with the spout section so that a user can drink once the closing structure is attached to a refillable vessel containing a drinking liquid.

[0016] Further, the closing structure is already prepared to be used in a drinking device for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance. It has a suitable attachment structure for attaching a replaceable aroma container, and the fixed element further comprises an air or any other means for establishing communication with air. Therefore, a replaceable aroma container adapted to the geometry of the closing structure can be attached to the closing structure, and air entering an air inlet opening of the aroma container, flowing through an interior aroma chamber of the aroma container and been sucked out of an air outlet opening of the aroma container can enter the air duct where the aromatized air sucked in either enters the fluid guiding duct to become finely dispersed within the drinking liquid, or can enter the air duct and is guided towards the spout section separate from the drinking liquid.

[0017] The closing structure can either be used with an ordinary vessel for drinking liquid or with the vessel of a drinking device for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance. In the first case, it might be possible to provide a closing structure which either closes the air duct within the fixed element or closes a separately provided air channel in the spout section. As an alternative, it is also possible to use the closing structure without a replaceable aroma container and to allow a certain amount of air to be sucked in together with, e.g., water and to become finely dispersed therein. Preferably, however, the closing structure is part of a drinking device for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance, and a replaceable aroma container is attached.

[0018] The movement of the movable element between the storing position and an operational position is limited by at least one stop means which restricts the relative movement of the movable element relative to the fixed element. The stop means can be provided at both end positions of the rotational range of movement of the movable element relative to the fixed element. The provision of a stop means provides guidance to the user to easily identify the operational position of the closing structure and helps to make its use more convenient.

[0019] Likewise, the storing position might also be defined by a stop means which restricts a rotational movement of the movable element relative to the fixed element from the operational position beyond the storing position. In the storing position, there is no more fluid communication between the fluid guiding duct and a drinking opening in the spout section so that an inadvertent spilling of drinking liquid through the spout section can be prevented.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the movable element comprises a convex sliding surface, and the fixed element comprises a concave sliding surface shaped and arranged to provide for a sliding movement of the convex sliding surface relative to and in contact with the concave sliding surface. The cooperation of a convex sliding surface and a concave sliding surface, which in a fully equivalent way can also be reversed such that the movable element comprises the concave sliding surface and the fixed element comprises a convex sliding surface, provides for a stable and guided relative movement because cooperating convex and concave sliding surfaces provide for a good mutual support.

[0021] Preferably, the spout section has a mouth end and a fluid channel with a first opening at the mouth end and a second opening at the end opposite to the first opening. Such structure makes it possible to provide a fluid communication between the fluid channel in the movable element and the fluid guiding duct in the fixed element if the fixed element is in the operational position. The provision of the interface between the fluid channel of the movable element and the fluid guiding duct in the fixed element is formed such as to allow for an accurate relative positioning such that, in the operational position of the movable element, a user can suck in liquid through the mouth end of the spout section, which liquid flows through the interior duct of the drinking straw, the fluid guiding duct in the fixed element and the fluid channel in the movable element. The provision of such interface makes it possible to avoid a possible leakage of liquid leaving the fluid guiding duct before entering the fluid channel.

[0022] According to the invention, the air duct has a first air duct section with an aroma inlet, and which is in fluid communication with the air outlet opening and attached aroma container, which first air duct section, in the longitudinal direction, has a varying cross-sectional surface, preferably continuously increasing towards the aroma inlet end. Such varying cross-sectional surface provides better access for cleaning purposes, and additional provides for a certain tolerance when attaching the aroma container if the varying cross-sectional surface continuously increases towards the aroma inlet end facing the aroma container. An aroma container which is not exactly positioned relative to the closing structure will still be operable because an increased cross-sectional surface of the air duct at the end facing the aroma container compensates for certain deviations of the aroma container from the accurate attachment position if the cross-sectional area of the aroma inlet end exceed the cross-sectional area of the aroma outlet opening of the aroma container.

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

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the air duct in the fixed element further comprises a depression provided in the convex sliding surface and a groove formed in the concave sliding surface, wherein in the operational position, a fluid communication is provided between the depression and the first air duct section, and between the depression and the groove, wherein the groove opens into the fluid guiding duct. In other words, in the operational position, air leaving the air outlet opening of the container may enter the first air duct section, enter the depression by means of the fluid communication between the first air duct section and the depression, and may enter the groove because of the fluid communication between the depression and the groove. Finally, the air may enter the fluid guiding duct because the groove opens into the fluid guiding duct.

[0025] This specific structure provides for a tortuous path of the air between the aroma container and the fluid guiding duct. It acts like a labyrinth seal and prevents drinking liquid to enter the aroma container.

[0026] Preferably, there is a narrowed section in the fluid guiding duct, which narrowed section is closer to the first end of the drinking straw than a position at which an opening of the air duct in the fluid guiding duct is arranged. Preferably, the narrowed section is adjacent to the opening of the air duct in the fluid guiding duct. Such narrowed section locally speeds up the flow of drinking liquid flowing through the fluid guiding duct and generates a venturi effect which promotes the sucking in of air through the air duct into the fluid guiding duct.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the closing structure further comprises a vent channel connecting the outside atmosphere and a surface of the closing structure which, when attached to a refillable vessel, faces the interior volume of the vessel.

[0028] Such a vent channel allows air to flow in when a user sucks out liquid from the interior chamber of the vessel. When the associated drinking device is in use and a user sucks in and removes liquid from the interior chamber of the vessel, air has to flow in to avoid the building up of sub-pressure in the interior chamber of the vessel. The vent channel connecting the outside atmosphere and a surface of the closing structure which, when attached to a refillable vessel, faces the interior volume of the vessel, establishes a connection between the outside atmosphere and an interior volume of the vessel such that an appropriate amount of air is allowed to flow in from the outside atmosphere into the interior chamber for holding liquid if liquid is removed through the fluid guiding duct.

[0029] Preferably, the fixed part comprises a first fixed part element and a second fixed part element attached to the first fixed part element. The provision of separated parts has the advantage that the fixed part of the closing structure with a highly complex shape is easier to manufacture by means of an injection molding process.

[0030] In this context, it is preferable that the vent channel comprises a vent channel section formed in an abutting surface between the first fixed part element and the second fixed part element. In such a way, the vent channel having a very small cross-section can be easily formed. Preferably, it is formed by a groove in the first fixed part element and / or the second fixed part element. This provides for an easy manufacturing of the vent channel in abutting surfaces of the first fixed part element and the second foxed part element. If the vent channel is provided with a very small cross-section, the capillary effect will prevent a leakage of the drinking liquid through the vent channel.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one stop means comprises a stop member attached to or integrally formed with the spout section, wherein the stop member is arranged such that, in the operational position, the stop member rests against the step portion of the fixed element. The provision of such stop member attached to or integrally formed with the spout section in the immediate surrounding of the mouth end of the closing structure has the advantage that a user can readily recognize or confirm that the movable element is in the operational position and the movable element cannot be further rotated relative to the fixed element because the stop member rests against a step portion of the fixed element.

[0032] Preferably, the stop member comprises an actuating member which is arranged such that the rotational movement of the spout is hand operated by pressing on the actuating member. In such a preferred embodiment, the stop member has a double function. It defines the end position of the relative rotational movement between the movable element and the fixed element and, at the same time, comprises an actuating member hand-operated by a user who uses the actuating member to move the movable element between the rest position and the operational position.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the movable element comprises a means for closing the vent channel in the storing position. Such structure is advantageous in that, in the storing position, even a rough impact on a drinking device provided with the closing structure will not lead to the inadvertent spilling of liquid through the vent channel because both the fluid guiding duct in the fixed element and the vent channel are closed by the movable element.

[0034] Preferably, the drinking devices for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance further comprises a replaceable aroma container attached to the attachment structure of the closing structure.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the aroma container is shaped such that it at least partially surrounds the fixed element. Such arrangement provides for a well-balanced weight distribution of the closing structure with an attached aroma container and further additionally fixes an attached aroma container when the movable element is in the storing position because, once the movable element including a spout section is rotationally moved into the storing position, a detachment of the aroma container can be prevented if the aroma container, e.g. surrounding the fixed element, might no longer be movable or at least removable in a direction towards the movable element because such displacement required for removing the aroma container is blocked by the spout section tilted into the storing position.

[0036] In the storing position, a part of the movable element could even abut and bear against an aroma container such that the aroma container cannot leave the appropriate operational position attached to the fixed element or, in case that the aroma container in use made a slight positional deviation from the appropriate operating position, is even pushed back into the appropriate operating position each time the movable element is brought into its storing position.

[0037] The inventive drinking device comprises a vessel with an interior chamber for holding a liquid, which interior chamber is open at a filling opening, and a closing structure according to the invention which is attachable to and detachable from the vessel at or close to the filling opening.

[0038] For the attachment of the closing structure to the vessel any suitable means can be provided, like a threaded connection, a bayonet-type connection or a clamping connection. Since, in use, the drinking device is supposed to be refilled many times, a connecting structure between the closing structure and the vessel is preferred which has a function which is immediately apparent to a user, like a screwing on threat or a connection of the bayonet type.

[0039] The closing structure according to the invention can be attachable to the vessel of any kind of drinking device. However, it is preferably designed such as to be attachable to a vessel of a drinking device for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance. In this case, the closing structure needs to comprise a suitable structure to allow aromatized air to be directed towards the mouthpiece. The aromatized air can either be administered to the drinking liquid and become dispersed therein, or a duct for the aromatized air might run separately from the transport channel for drinking liquid to the mouthpiece where a user might simultaneously suck in drinking liquid and aromatized air which are not mixed together to form a gas-liquid dispersion.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0040] In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings in which: Fig. 1is a cross-sectional view of the drinking device with the closing structure according to the invention; Fig. 2is an enlarged cross-sectional partial view of the closing structure in its operational position; Fig. 3is an enlarged cross-sectional partial view of the closing structure in its storing position; and Fig. 4is an enlarged cross-sectional partial view in another cross-sectional plane of the closing structure in its operational position. Description of preferred Embodiments

[0041] Throughout the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0042] In Fig. 1, a cross-sectional view is shown of the closing structure 10 attached to the vessel 20 of a drinking device. The vessel 20 has an interior volume 22 which can have any suitable shape. The closing structure is provided with a drinking straw 12 with an interior duct 14, a first end 16 and a second end 18 defined in the longitudinal direction of the drinking straw 12. The closing structure 10 is provided with an attachment structure 24 which is configured to hold the first end 16 of the drinking straw 12. As an alternative not shown in the drawings, the drinking straw can be integrally formed with the closing structure.

[0043] Further, the closing structure 10 is provided with a second attachment structure 26 like threads to couple the closing structure to the vessel 20 at or close to a filling opening 28. The second attachment structure can be embodied in any suitable form which allows for an easy and safe repeated detachment and attachment of the closing structure 10 to the vessel 20. An easy detachment and attachment is important because over the lifetime of the drinking device, it is refilled numerous times and for this purpose, the closing structure 10 is detached from the vessel 20 and attached again every time the vessel is refilled.

[0044] Preferably, the fixed part 46 of the closing structure and the movable part 48 of the closing structure are made of plastic material, like silicon or EPDM rubber (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber). Preferably food grade plastic material is used.

[0045] The closing structure 10 comprises a suitable third attachment structure 32 for attaching and positioning an aroma container 30.

[0046] The aroma container 30 has a top wall 34 which is preferably flat, at least in regions, so that a label 38 can be affixed to the outside of the top wall 34. The aroma container has an interior aroma chamber at least partially filled with a carrier substance impregnated with an aroma substance.

[0047] The aroma container 30 is substantially annular, comprising a circular ring-shaped outer sidewall 36, and an inner sidewall 38 which deviates from a circular shape. In other words, the space surrounded by the inner sidewall 38 has a cross-sectional area which is not circular.

[0048] This illustrated geometry of the inner sidewall 38 of the aroma container allows for a defined positioning of the aroma container 30 on a correspondingly shaped third attachment structure 32 of the closing structure 10. Therefore, the aroma container 30 can only be placed in one single angular position, i.e., with respect to rotation in the plane of the top wall 34.

[0049] The air outlet opening 40 is located in the inner sidewall 38, and an air inlet opening 42 in a bottom wall 44 is preferably arranged at a position of the bottom wall 44 which, in the essentially ring-shaped aroma container 30, is diametrically opposed to the air outlet opening 40 so that the air flow flowing through the aroma container 30 has to travel as wide a travel distance as possible, and can thus be enridged with aroma substance in a particularly effective manner.

[0050] The shape of the aroma container 30 in the embodiment as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 is only an example and any suitable shape of the aroma container can be provided.

[0051] The closure 10 comprises a fixed part 46 and a movable part 48. The movable part 48 is attached to the fixed part 46 and rotationally movable in the direction of arrow A between an operational position as shown in Fig. 2 and a storing position as shown in Fig. 3. In the fixed element, a fluid guiding duct 50 is provided which is in fluid communication with the interior duct 14 of the drinking straw 12. Further, the fixed part 46 comprises an air duct 52 which, when the aroma container 30 is mounted to the fixed part 46, is in fluid communication with the air outlet opening 40 of the aroma container 30.

[0052] The movable part 48 comprises a spout section 54 with a mouth end 56 and a fluid channel 58 with a first opening 60 at the mouth end 56 and a second opening longitudinally opposite to the first end. In the operational position, the second opening 62 of the spout section 54 establishes a fluid communication with the fluid guiding duct 50 in the fixed part. Accordingly, a user can suck in liquid through the mouth end 56, which liquid enters the second end 18 of the drinking straw 12, enters the fluid guiding duct 50 of the fixed part 46 and enters through the second opening 62 the fluid channel 58 where it is transported up to the first opening 60 of the spout section 54.

[0053] In a drinking device adapted for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance, there is fluid communication between the air duct 52 and the fluid guiding duct 50.

[0054] When the movable part 48 of the closing structure 10 is moved relative to the fixed part 46, a portion of the movable part 48 slides over a correspondingly arranged and formed portion of the fixed part 46 of the closing structure 10. In the specific example as shown in the drawings, the movable part 48 is provided with a convex shaped portion embodied as a convex sliding surface 64, whereas the fixed part 46 of the closing structure 10 comprises a concave sliding surface 66. When the movable part 48 is moved relative to the fixed part 46, the convex sliding surface 64 of the movable part slides over the concave sliding surface 66 of the fixed part 46.

[0055] The movable part can be attached to the fixed part by means of any suitable hinge element.

[0056] As can be best seen in Fig. 4, the concave sliding surface 66 of the movable part 48 is provided with a depression 68 which, in the operational position as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, is in fluid communication with the air duct 52 of the fixed part 46.

[0057] In the concave sliding surface 66, a groove 70 is formed which is part of the fluid communication between the air duct 52 and the fluid guiding duct 50. Further, a narrowed section 72 is provided in the wall surrounding the fluid guiding duct 50. This narrowed section 72 is closer to the first end 16 of the drinking straw 12 than a position at which an opening 74 of the air duct 52 leading into the fluid guiding duct 50 is arranged.

[0058] Such narrowed section 72 generates a venturi effect when liquid flows through the fluid guiding duct 50 towards the mouth end. The local narrowing of the fluid guiding duct 50 leads to an increase of the flow velocity of drinking liquid flowing towards the mouth end. Such increased velocity enhances the entrainment of air as well as the fine dispersion of air added through the air duct 52. The provision of the narrowed section 72 has the further advantage that it prevents the undesired ingress of water into the air duct 52 and into the aroma container 30.

[0059] As can also be seen in Figs. 2 to 4, the air duct 52 is provided with an air duct section 76, which has a longitudinal axis which is straight. The air duct section 76 has a varying cross-sectional area increasing towards the air outlet opening 40 of the aroma container 30. Such geometry of the air duct section 76 is advantageous in that it is better accessible for cleaning purposes. Further, a slight misplacement of the aroma container 30 relative to the third attachment structure 32 can be compensated so that the drinking device can also be used in case that a user did not insert the aroma container in a way that it rests in an appropriate way on the third attachment structure.

[0060] Turning again to Fig. 2, which shows the movable part 48 in its operational position, the movable part is provided with a stop member 78 integrally formed with the movable part 48. The stop member 78 serves a double function. On the one hand, in the operational position, the stop member 78 rests against an abutting surface 80 of the fixed part 46 so that the movable part 48 cannot be further rotated in the direction opposition to arrow A beyond the correct operational position. The second function of the stop member 78 is its use as a tab which can be easily gripped by the user to move the movable part 48 between the operational position as shown in Fig. 2 and the storing position as shown in Fig. 3.

[0061] Turning now to Fig. 3, which shows the storing 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, due to the fixed mutual arrangement of the fixed part 46 and the aroma container 30, is still in fluid communication with the air outlet opening 40 of the aroma container, is no longer in fluid communication with the depression 68 in the concave sliding surface 66 so that the air communication through the air duct 52 is interrupted.

[0062] A further detail is shown in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 4. The fixed part 46 comprises a first fixed part element 82 and a second fixed part element 84. In abutting surfaces of the first fixed part element 82 and the second fixed part element 84, a vent groove 86 is formed which is part of a vent channel 92 establishing an air path between the interior volume 22 of the vessel 20 and the outside atmosphere. The vent groove 86 is in fluid communication with a through hole 88 in the first fixed part element 82 so that a ventilation path indicated as a dash-dotted line B is formed extending through the closing structure 10. In the storing position as shown in Fig. 3, all channels are closed which also includes the vent channel 92 because there is a contact line 90 between the movable part 48 and the fixed part 46 closing the vent channel 92 in the storing position.

[0063] The spout section 54 of the movable part 48 prevents an inadvertent removal of the aroma container 30 from the drinking device. In the position as shown in Fig. 3, the wall surrounding the fluid channel 49 of the spout section 54 comes close to the top wall 34 of the aroma container 30. The aroma container can only be shifted upwards to a negligible extent before, in the storing position, the top wall of the aroma container will abut against the spout section and no further upwards movement of the aroma container is possible. Since such minor upwards movability of the aroma container cannot be exceeded, and since the air duct section 76 widens in a direction towards the aroma container, the restricted movability of the aroma container in an upwards-downwards direction does not lead to a mutual positioning in which the air outlet hole 40 of the aroma container is no longer in communication with the air duct 52 in the fixed part. In case that, during use, the aroma container should be inadvertently moved in an upwards direction so that it can no longer provide aromatized air, it will be automatically shifted back into a correct working position once the movable part 48 will be moved into its storing position.

[0064] The geometrical arrangement of the vent channel, the air duct 52 and the fluid communication between the fluid guiding duct 50 and the fluid channel 58 are such that, when the movable part is moved from the storing position as shown in Fig. 3 towards the operational position as shown in Fig. 2, the vent channel 92 is opened first such that a pressure equalization between the interior volume 22 of the vessel 20 and the outside atmosphere takes place before the fluid guiding duct 50 comes into fluid communication with the fluid channel 58. This prevents the spilling out of drinking liquid in case that an atmospheric overpressure should have formed within the interior volume 22 of the vessel 20. Such overpressure can form if the drinking device is allowed to heat up in a warm environment of it is used in an airplane during a flight where the ambient pressure is lower than the atmospheric pressure which existed when filling the drinking device on ground before the flight.

[0065] The inventive closing structure is easy to use and does not require a user to move the aroma container from an operative into a non-operative position. All that is required is to tilt the movable part comprising the spout between its storing position and operational position.Reference List

[0066] 10closing structure 12drinking straw 14interior duct 16first end of drinking straw 18second end of drinking straw 20vessel 22interior volume of vessel 24attachment structure of closing structure 26second attachment structure of closing structure 28filling opening 30aroma container 32third attachment structure of closing structure 34top wall of aroma container 36outer sidewall 38inner sidewall 40air outlet opening 42air inlet opening 44bottom wall of aroma container 46fixed part of closing structure 48movable part of closing structure 50fluid guiding duct 52air duct 54spout section 56mouth end 58fluid channel 60first opening 62second opening 64convex sliding surface 66concave sliding surface 68depression 70groove 72narrowed section 74opening 76air duct section 78stop member 80abutting surface 82first fixed part element 84second fixed part element 86vent groove 88through hole 90contact line 92vent channel

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0041]Throughout the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0042]In Fig. 1, a cross-sectional view is shown of the closing structure 10 attached to the vessel 20 of a drinking device. The vessel 20 has an interior volume 22 which can have any suitable shape. The closing structure is provided with a drinking straw 12 with an interior duct 14, a first end 16 and a second end 18 defined in the longitudinal direction of the drinking straw 12. The closing structure 10 is provided with an attachment structure 24 which is configured to hold the first end 16 of the drinking straw 12. As an alternative not shown in the drawings, the drinking straw can be integrally formed with the closing structure.

[0043]Further, the closing structure 10 is provided with a second attachment structure 26 like threads to couple the closing structure to the vessel 20 at or close to a filling opening 28. The second attachment structure can be embodied in any suitable form whi...

Claims

1. A closing structure (10) attachable to and detachable from a refillable vessel (20) for containing a liquid, the closing structure (10) comprising: - a drinking straw (12) comprising an interior duct (14), a first end (16) and a second end (18) in a longitudinal direction of the drinking straw (12); - an attachment structure (32) for attaching a replaceable aroma container (30), the aroma container (30) having an interior aroma chamber, an air inlet opening (42) and an air outlet opening (40) ; - a fixed element (46) either comprising an attachment means (24) configured to attach the first end (16) of the drinking straw (12) or being integrally formed with the drinking straw; - the fixed element (46) further comprising - an air duct (52); and - a fluid guiding duct (50) in fluid communication with the interior duct (14) of the drinking straw (12) ; - a movable element (48) attached to the fixed element (46) and being rotationally movable relative to the fixed element (46), the movable element (48) comprising - a spout section (54); and - at least one stop means (78) for restricting the relative movement of the movable element (48) relative to the fixed element (46) such that the movable element (48) is rotationally movable relative to the fixed element (46) between a storing position and an operational position.

2. Closing structure according to claim 1, wherein the movable element (48) comprises a convex sliding surface (64), and the fixed element (46) comprises a concave sliding surface (66) shaped and arranged to provide for a sliding movement of the convex sliding surface (64) relative to and in contact with the concave sliding surface (64).

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

4. Closing structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the air duct (52) has a first air duct section (76) with an aroma inlet end which is in fluid communication with the air outlet opening (40) of an attached aroma container (30), which first air duct section (76), in a longitudinal direction, has a varying cross-sectional surface, preferably continuously increasing towards the aroma inlet end.

5. Closing structure according to claim 4, wherein the first air duct section (76) is essentially linear.

6. Closing structure according any of the claims 2 to 5, wherein the air duct (52) comprises an opening in the concave sliding surface (66) of the fixed element (46).

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

8. Closing structure according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a narrowed section (72) in the fluid guiding duct (50), which narrowed section (72) is closer to the first end (16) of the drinking straw (12) than a position at which an opening of the air duct (52) leading onto the fluid guiding duct (50) is arranged.

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

10. Closing structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fixed part (46) comprises a first fixed part element (82) and a second fixed part element (84) attached to the first fixed part element (82).

11. Closing structure according to claim 10 as dependent on claim 9, wherein the vent channel (92) comprises a vent channel section formed in an abutting surface between the first fixed part element (82) and the second fixed part element (84), wherein the vent channel section is preferably formed by a groove (86) in the first fixed part element (82) and / or the second fixed part element (84) .

12. Closing structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one stop means comprises a stop member (78) attached to or integrally formed with the spout section (54), wherein the stop member (78) is arranged such that, in the operational position, the stop member (78) rests against an abutting surface (80) of the fixed element (46).

13. Closing structure according to claim 12, wherein the stop member comprises an actuating member (78) which is arranged such that the rotational movement of the spout section (54) is hand operated by pressing on the actuating member (78).

14. Closing structure according to claim 9 or 11, wherein, the movable element (48) comprises a means for closing the vent channel (92) in the storing position.

15. Closing structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the aroma container (30) is shaped such that it at least partially surrounds a portion of the fixed element (46).

16. Drinking device, comprising: - a vessel (20) with an interior chamber (22) for holding a liquid; which interior chamber (22) is open at a filling opening (28); and - a closing structure (10) according to any of the preceding claims which is attachable to and detachable from the vessel (20) at or close to the filling opening (28).

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

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