Closing structure for a drinking device and drinking device

Abstract

A Closing structure for a drinking device comprises a liquid duct (46) with a first region with a first cross-sectional area which is a maximum cross-sectional area of the liquid duct (46); and a second, narrowed region with a second cross-section which is smaller than the first cross-sectional area, the second narrowed section being shaped and dimensioned such that a predetermined flow resistance is generated.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to a closing structure for a drinking device, and a drinking device with a refillable vessel, such closing structure and a replaceable aroma container.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 to 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 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. 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.

[0011] Previously known drinking devices like those disclosed in WO2019 / 016096 A1 and WO2020 / 126210 A1 use a straw for sucking up drinking liquid. Some users prefer to tilt and even overturn a drinking bottle when drinking instead of using a drinking straw which they consider to be inconvenient.Summary of the Invention

[0012] It is the object of the invention to suggest a closing structure for a drinking device and a related drinking device which are more convenient to use.

[0013] This object is solved by a closing structure for a drinking device with the features of claim 1 and a drinking device with the features of claim 15. Preferred embodiments follow from the other claims.

[0014] The inventive closing structure for a drinking device attachable to a refillable vessel of the drinking device at or close to a filling opening comprises an elongate liquid duct with an interior channel, a first end and a second end in a longitudinal direction of the liquid duct, the first end of the liquid duct being at a mouth end of the closing structure; wherein the liquid duct has a first region with a first cross-sectional area which is a maximum cross-sectional area of the liquid duct; and a second region with a second cross-sectional area which is smaller than the first cross-sectional area. The second region is shaped and dimensioned such that a predetermined flow resistance is generated. This predetermined flow resistance is preferably selected such that in a position upside down of the drinking device with the interior chamber filled with a water-based drinking liquid, the drinking liquid is prevented from flowing through the liquid duct.

[0015] The inventive drinking device for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance comprises a refillable vessel with an interior chamber for storing a drinking liquid defined by a bottom wall, at least one side wall extending from the bottom wall, and a filling opening distal to the bottom wall and the inventive closing structure with a replaceable aroma container attachable to the closing structure. The aroma container has an interior volume filled with an aromatizing substance, an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, wherein the air outlet opening is in communication with an air duct in the closing structure.

[0016] A flow of the drinking liquid through the liquid duct requires the application of a pre-determined sub-atmospheric sucking pressure at the first end of the liquid duct.

[0017] The geometry of the second region is designed such that the flow resistance generated by the second region is high enough so that, under static conditions without additional acceleration forces acting, the hydrostatic pressure of drinking liquid inside the interior chamber of the refillable vessel should be over-compensated. The hydrostatic pressure of a water-based drinking liquid is 1 millibar for 1 cm of liquid height.

[0018] This desired technical effect, which contributes to an easy and convenient use, is not only generated by an increase of the pressure drop along the liquid duct generated by the flow restriction of the second region. The second region also establishes a capillary effect which depends on the absolute dimensions and the shape of the second region both in terms of its cross-sectional shape and longitudinal extension. A capillary effect depends on the relationship between adhesive forces between the drinking liquid and the wall surrounding the interior channel in the second region and the cohesive forces of the drinking liquid. Therefore, the technical effect of the second region is both a capillary effect impeding a liquid flow through the second region and an increased flow resistance acting on the liquid flowing through the liquid.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the closing structure, the second narrowed section is shaped and dimensioned such that a flow of drinking liquid through the liquid duct requires a pressure difference between the first end and the second end of the liquid duct in the range of a sucking pressure used when drinking through a drinking straw.

[0020] The inventive closure and the inventive drinking device require no drinking straw. The drinking device is designed such that the second end of the liquid duct directly receives drinking liquid once the drinking device is brought into a position by tilting the drinking device so that drinking liquid flows into the liquid duct at its second end.

[0021] The sub-pressure at the first end of the liquid duct, where the mouth end is positioned, is generated by a sucking operation generated by a user when drinking as if using a drinking straw. Such usual sucking operation as if using a drinking straw generates a pre-determined sucking pressure which, for different users, is within a certain range.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the closing structure, the second region is arranged at or close to the second end of the liquid duct.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the closing structure, at least a part of the elongate liquid duct is provided as a separate part which is preferably attached by means of a press fitting or by means of welding.

[0024] To generate complex geometries like the provision of an intermediate aroma channel, the provision of a tortuous path of the air duct or the provision of narrowed sections, it is advantageous to provide a separate element for the liquid duct as such or the portion of the liquid duct surrounding the interior channel of the liquid duct. Such separate element can be attached to any part of the closing structure, e.g., the seating element for an aroma container, or pressed into a receiving structure of the liquid duct such that the air duct is formed between the receiving structure of the liquid duct and the separate element. In such a way, complex geometries can be realized in an easy manufacturing process, i.e., using injection-moulded plastic parts. The separate element can also be welded into the receiving structure, e.g., by means of ultrasonic welding.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the closing structure further comprises a replaceable aroma container attachable to the closing structure; wherein the aroma container has an interior volume filled with an aromatizing substance, an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening; wherein the air outlet opening is in communication with an air duct in the closing structure.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the closing structure, the air duct runs essentially parallel to and separate from the liquid duct, and the air duct has an aroma inlet opening in communication with the air outlet opening of the aroma container and an aroma outlet opening close to the first end of the liquid duct.

[0027] In other words, the air duct can be arranged such that the aromatized air and the drinking liquid are not mixed before entering the oral cavity of a user. This can be desired if a user does not want to swallow drinking liquid with some finely dispersed bubbles of aromatized air therein or drinking liquid with a small amount of aromatized substance dissolved therein. The shorter the contact time between drinking liquid and aromatized air, the less mass transfer of aroma substance from the aromatized air into the drinking liquid takes place.

[0028] According to an alternative, preferred embodiment of the closing structure, the air duct runs separate from the liquid duct and has at least one communication opening close to the first end of the liquid duct, which at least one communication opening is in fluid communication with the interior channel of the liquid duct.

[0029] In this case, the aromatized air is dispersed in the drinking liquid shortly before the drinking liquid leaves the mouth end of the drinking device. In the process of drinking, the drinking liquid flows from the second end of the liquid duct to the first end of the liquid duct. A position to feed in aromatized air which is close to the first end of the liquid duct, i.e., downstream when drinking, prevents the formation of larger air bubbles when small air bubbles contact each other, coagulate and form larger air bubbles.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the closing structure, the air duct comprises at least one tortuous section and / or at least one flow restriction.

[0031] The provision of a tortuous flow path and narrowed sections in the air duct have an impact on the pressure drop of aromatized air flowing through the air duct so that the amount of aromatized air added to the drinking liquid under a specific sucking pressure at the mouth end can be tailored.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment of the closing structure, the air duct is in fluid communication with the interior channel, wherein the air duct opens into the interior channel at a position of the interior channel between the second region and the first end.

[0033] According to an alternative geometry of the air duct of the closing structure, the aroma channel and the air duct are both arranged in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the liquid duct. The aroma channel and the aroma channel can be aligned. As an alternative, a ring-shaped intermediate aroma channel can be provided which is in fluid communication with the aroma channel 86 and the air duct, and which intermediate aroma channel extends in a direction around the liquid duct.

[0034] The closing structure could further comprise a cap element attached to the closing structure, the cap being provided with a pressure equalization hole.

[0035] The provision of a cap has several advantages. Firstly, it prevents the inadvertent ingress of undesired substances into the mouth end of the drinking device. Secondly, it protects the closing structure against damage in case that the drinking device drops onto a hard surface. Thirdly, the cap can be provided with a carrying strap attachable to a suitable connecting structure of the cap so that the drinking device is more convenient to carry. Finally, a cap can be designed to effectively prevent the spilling out of liquid in case of an impact or a low surrounding pressure like in an airplane.

[0036] The cap when closed on the closing structure could have a sealing portion sealing against the aroma outlet opening.

[0037] Such a sealing portion seals in two directions. It prevents the ingress of debris or other particles into the mouth end, and it prevents the spilling out of drinking liquid. Finally, it also closes the air duct and leads to a longer operative time of the aroma container because no aroma substance can leave the aroma container through the air duct when the drinking device is not in use and the cap is closed.

[0038] The cap can be attached by means of a hinge to the closing structure.

[0039] The provision of a hinge further contributes to the convenient use of the dinking device because the cap is permanently attached to the closing structure so that it cannot be misplaced or even get lost.

[0040] The closing structure could further comprise cooperating first and second locking elements, positioned at a part of the closing structure and the cap, respectively, one of the first and second locking elements comprising a release actuator which is adapted to be operated by a user to unlock the first and second locking elements.

[0041] Such cooperating first and second locking elements can be designed such that a single-handed operation is possible for opening the cap. In combination with an elastic member biasing the cap into an open position, the drinking device is fully operable with one hand only. This can be advantageous in specific situations which often arise during sporting activities, e.g., when biking.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment of the closing structure, the aroma container at least partially surrounds a portion of the closing structure which comprises the liquid duct and the air duct.

[0043] Such arrangement provides for a well-balanced weight distribution of the closing structure with an attached aroma container. A further advantage associated with an aroma container at least partially surrounding a portion of the closing structure is the possibility to arrange the air inlet opening and air outlet opening such that the air stream within the aroma container has a long travelling distance which contributes to a high uptake of aroma substance in the air stream flowing through the aroma container and even saturation of the air stream with aroma substance.

[0044] The aroma container, once mounted to the closing structure, needs not to be activated before use which further contributes to the convenient use of the closing structure in use when attached to a drinking device.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment of the drinking device, the closing structure is provided with a skirt with a first thread, and the refillable vessel is provided with a corresponding second thread at the filling opening of the refillable vessel.

[0046] Such structure provides for an easy, convenient and intuitive coupling. Any user recognizes how the skirt of the closing structure and the refillable vessel have to be arranged relative to each other. However, other types of coupling are also possible and can have certain advantages. A clamping structure is easy to use once a user learned how to couple the closing structure and the refillable vessel. Another alternative for a coupling is a press-fitting. Another alternative is a coupling of the bayonet-type which, in comparison to a thread connection, requires a smaller relative movement between the closing structure and the refillable vessel for coupling and decoupling. 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 thread or a connection of the bayonet type.

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment, the closing structure further comprises a pressure equalization duct extending through the closing structure and being arranged such that, when the closing structure is attached to a drinking vessel, the pressure equalization duct extends from the interior chamber to the outside atmosphere.

[0048] Such pressure equalization duct serves to equalize the pressure between the interior chamber of the refillable vessel and the outside atmosphere and allows to introduce a volume of air into the interior chamber of the refillable vessel corresponding to the volume of drinking liquid withdrawn from the interior chamber during drinking. When the drinking device is in use, and a user sucks in and removes liquid from the interior chamber of the refillable vessel, air has to flow in to avoid the building up of sub-pressure in the interior chamber of the refillable vessel. The pressure equalization duct connecting the outside atmosphere and a surface of the closing structure which, when attached to a refillable vessel, faces the interior chamber of the refillable vessel, establishes a connection between the outside atmosphere and the interior chamber such that an appropriate amount of air is allowed to flow in from the outside atmosphere into the interior chamber if liquid is removed through the liquid duct.

[0049] Preferably, the closing structure further comprises a pressure equalization valve arranged in the pressure equalization duct.

[0050] According to a preferred embodiment of the closing structure, the pressure equalization valve is a one-way valve which is configured to open only to allow air to flow through the pressure equalization duct into the interior chamber if a first pressure of the air in the interior chamber is lower than a second pressure of the outside atmosphere and the pressure difference between the second pressure and the first pressure exceeds a predetermined value.

[0051] The valve seals the pressure equalization duct with a predetermined closing force so that it is configured to open only in case that the pressure difference between the ambient pressure and the pressure in the interior chamber of the refillable vessel exceeds a specific, predetermined value. Such measure avoids an inadvertent spilling out of drinking liquid through the pressure equalization duct when the drinking device is in an upside down position with the exterior surface of the bottom wall facing upwards. In such a case, drinking liquid inside the interior chamber generates a hydrostatic pressure acting on the valve, and the valve should close the pressure equalization duct with a closing force which exceeds such hydrostatic pressure to avoid a spilling out of drinking liquid.

[0052] According to a preferred embodiment of the closing structure, the pressure equalization valve is a check valve and preferably an umbrella valve. An umbrella valve which uses, e.g. polypropylene for the body and silicone for the valve seat can be used for the drinking device because of its food and drug safety.

[0053] Such pressure equalization valve serves as a suitable locking device. It could be embodied, e.g., as a one-way valve, and prevents undesired leaking of the drinking liquid through the pressure equalization duct.

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment of the closing structure, the aroma container at least partially surrounds the wall structure of the closing element surrounding the liquid duct, and the closing element comprises a step portion for seating and positioning the aroma container.

[0055] Such geometry with a step portion contributes to an easy and intuitive mounting of the aroma container by a user. The step portion has an upper surface facing a user who inserts an aroma container so that it is easy to determine the correct orientation of the aroma container relative to the step portion. Further, a step portion reduces the friction force acting between the aroma container and the closing structure when attaching an aroma container because the friction force only acts close to the final seating position of the aroma container when the aroma container is in contact with the step portion. Finally, a step portion with a limited longitudinal length has the advantage that the manufacturing tolerances can be higher because a tight fit between a mounting structure and the aroma container needs not to be established over the full longitudinal length of the wall structure surrounding the liquid duct.

[0056] Preferably, the step portion has a cross sectional shape which deviates from a circular shape. A replaceable aroma container with a complementary shape can only be attached to the closing structure in a defined orientation so that a position of the air inlet opening and air outlet opening of the replaceable aroma container are well-defined relative to the closing structure.

[0057] If the air duct has an opening into the liquid duct, there can be a narrowed section in the liquid duct, which narrowed section is preferably adjacent to the opening of the air duct in the liquid duct. Such narrowed section locally speeds up the flow of drinking liquid flowing through the liquid duct and generates a venturi effect which promotes the sucking in of air through the air duct into the fluid guiding duct.

[0058] Preferably, the closing structure comprises a first closing structure element and a second closing structure element fixed to the first closing structure element. The provision of separated parts has the advantage that the closing structure with a highly complex shape is easier to manufacture by means of an injection moulding process. A further advantage is that disassembled, separate closing structure elements are more convenient to clean.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0059] In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings in which: Fig. 1is a cross-sectional side view of the drinking deice according to the invention; Fig. 1is a cross-sectional view of the closing structure according to the invention attached to an upper part of the drinking device according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3shows an aroma container used in the drinking device according to Fig. 1; Fig. 4is a first cross-sectional view of the aroma container of Fig. 4; and Fig. 5is a second cross-sectional view in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the first cross-sectional view of the aroma container of Fig. 4. Description of preferred Embodiments

[0060] Throughout the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0061] In Fig. 1, a cross-sectional view is shown of the drinking device 10 comprising a refillable vessel 12 with an interior chamber 14 for storing drinking liquid. The interior chamber 14 is defined by a bottom wall 16 and a side wall 18 which is preferably essentially cylindrical. The side wall 18 is connected to the bottom wall 16 at its lower end 18a, extends from the bottom wall 16 and has a filling opening 20 at its upper end 18b at a position which is at the distal end relative to the bottom wall 16.

[0062] The side wall 18 is provided with an attachment structure like an external thread 22 at a portion close to the upper end 18b surrounding the filling opening 20.

[0063] The interior chamber 14 can have any suitable shape. It has a defined height which is the maximum distance between the bottom wall 16 and the filling opening 20. When the interior chamber 14 of the drinking device 10 is filled with drinking liquid up to the filling opening 20, and the drinking device 10 is turned upside down so that the bottom wall 16 defines the uppermost part of the drinking device 10, the defined height defines a hydrostatic pressure of the drinking liquid in the drinking device 10.

[0064] The refillable vessel 12 can be repeatedly coupled with and decoupled from a closing structure 24. The closing structure 24 is provided with an attachment structure corresponding to the attachment structure of the refillable vessel 12, like internal threads 26 to attach the closing structure 24 to the refillable vessel 12 at or close to its filling opening 20. The cooperating attachment structure of the refillable vessel 12 and closing structure 24 can be embodied in any suitable form which allows for an easy and safe repeated detachment and attachment of the closing structure 24 to the refillable vessel 12. An easy detachment and attachment is crucial because over the lifetime of the drinking device 10, the refillable vessel 12 is refilled numerous times and for this purpose, the inventive closing structure 24 is detached from the refillable vessel 12 and attached again every time the refillable vessel 12 is refilled with drinking liquid.

[0065] The refillable vessel 12 can be made of any suitable material like stainless steel or plastic material which is preferably food grade plastic material. Preferably, the closing structure 24 is made of plastic material, like silicon or EPDM rubber (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber). Preferably food grade plastic material is used.

[0066] A cap 30 is provided which covers the closing structure 24. The cap 30 has a top wall 28 and an essentially cylindrical sidewall 32 integrally formed with the top wall 28. The top wall 28 is provided with a vent opening 88 for pressure equalization between the outside atmosphere and an air space between the cap 30 and the closing structure 24 when the cap 30 is in a closed position. The sidewall 32 is provided with a mounting structure for attaching a carrying strap 34 to the cap 30.

[0067] The sidewall 32 of the cap 30 and the closing structure 24 are provided with cooperating locking elements 36, 38 which engage with each other and lock the cap 30 in a closed position. In such closed position, the cap 30 closes a mouth end 40 of the closing structure 24 and preferably abuts against the mouth end 40 to seal it. This prevents an inadvertent spilling of drinking liquid in case of an impact which could generate a dynamic pressure which might be much higher than the hydrostatic pressure of the drinking liquid so that drinking liquid might inadvertently spill out.

[0068] An actuator element 42 is provided as a release actuator which, when pushed by a user, releases the engagement between the cooperating locking elements 36, 38. The provision of an actuator element 42 is advantageous because it allows a single-handed operation to open the cap 30.

[0069] In the specific embodiment as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cap 30 is attached to the closing structure 24 by means of a hinge 56. Any type of hinge can be used like a hinge as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with a pivot pin, or a film hinge integrally connecting the cap 30 and the closing structure 24. By using a hinge 56, the cap 30 cannot be misplaced or lost. The hinge 56 can be designed such that by means of an elastic biasing element or the geometry of a film hinge the cap 30 automatically swings into an open position once the actuator element 42 is pressed to release the engagement of the cooperating locking elements 36, 38.

[0070] The closing structure 24 comprises a wall structure 44 surrounding a liquid duct 46 and a seating structure 84 for an aroma container 50.

[0071] The liquid duct 46 comprises an interior channel 47 through which drinking liquid can flow. The liquid duct 46 extends in a longitudinal direction from a first end 46a at the mouthpiece 40 to a second end 46b at a liquid inlet 82 of the liquid duct 46. The liquid inlet 82 formed at the second end 46b in longitudinal direction of the liquid duct 46 is opposite to the mouth end 40.

[0072] The liquid duct 46 comprises a cylindrical first region 54 with a first cross-sectional area A1 which is preferably circular. Further, a second region 52 is provided with a second cross-sectional area A2 which is considerably smaller than the first cross-sectional area A1 of the first region 54.

[0073] In tests it could be found that a suitable range of the size of the second cross-sectional area A2 is between 10% and 25% of the size of the first cross-sectional area A1. However, it is not only the relative amount of the flow restriction decisive because the second region 52 also establishes a capillary effect which depends on the absolute dimensions and the shape of the second region 52 both in terms of its cross-sectional shape and longitudinal extension. A capillary effect depends on the relationship between adhesive forces between the drinking liquid and the wall surrounding the interior channel 47 in the second region 52 and the cohesive forces of the drinking liquid. Therefore, the technical effect of the second region 52 is both a capillary effect impeding a liquid flow through the second region 52 and an increased flow resistance acting on the liquid flowing through the liquid duct 46.

[0074] The shape and dimensions of the second region 52 are selected such that a user can use the drinking device by lifting up and tilting the drinking device as if drinking from an open neck of a bottle. At the same time, a user should generate a sucking pressure which is similar to a sucking pressure when drinking through a drinking straw.

[0075] Even when tilting the drinking device 10 into an upside down position, drinking liquid should not spill out. Therefore, the flow resistance should be selected high enough so that, under static conditions without additional acceleration forces, the hydrostatic pressure of drinking liquid inside the interior chamber 14 of the refillable vessel 12 should be over-compensated. The hydrostatic pressure of a water-based drinking liquid is 1 millibar for 1 cm of liquid height.

[0076] The closing structure 24 can be formed by a plurality of interconnected elements. This simplifies the production and tools used in an injection moulding process. Further, the closing structure can be readily adapted to different refillable vessels 12 with different dimensions of the filling opening 20. In the specific example as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, one of the interconnected elements comprises the external thread 22, a locking element 36 for locking the cap, and part of the hinge 56.

[0077] In the embodiment as shown in Fig. 1 and 2, the wall structure 44 surrounding the liquid duct 46 comprises two separate parts 58, 60 which are concentrically arranged relative to each other. The two-part structure of the wall structure 44 has the advantage that an easy manufacture of an air duct 48 is possible which can be formed between the abutting, cylindrical wall surfaces of the two parts 58, 60.

[0078] The air duct 48 in the specific embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 runs parallel to and separate to the liquid duct 46 up to close to the mouth end 40 where a first end of the air duct 48 opens in a communication opening 62 into the liquid duct 46.

[0079] The air duct 48 has a second end opposite to the first end where the air duct is in fluid communication with an aroma channel 86 extending in a radial direction of the wall structure 44, i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the liquid duct 46. The aroma channel 86 extending in a radial direction is arranged to be in fluid communication with an air outlet opening 64 of the aroma container 50. A surrounding flange 98 helps a user to firmly grip the aroma container 50 when detaching the aroma container from the closing structure 24.

[0080] Further embodiments, not specifically shown in the drawings, have a different geometry of the air duct. The air duct can run essentially parallel to the liquid duct up to close to the first end of the liquid duct where it leads in a plurality of openings into the liquid duct. In this case, the aromatized air is dispersed in the drinking liquid shortly before the drinking liquid leaves the mouth end of the drinking device. In the process of drinking, the drinking liquid flows from the second end 46b of the liquid duct 46 to the first end 46a of the liquid duct 46. A position to feed in aromatized air which is close to the first end 46a of the liquid duct 46, i.e., downstream when drinking, prevents the formation of larger air bubbles when small air bubbles contact each other, coagulate and form larger air bubbles.

[0081] The provision of a plurality of openings as well as the selection of their cross-sectional areas serves to tailor the flow resistance of the aromatized air and, thus, the amount of aromatized air added to the drinking liquid under a specific sucking pressure acting at the mouth end.

[0082] According to an alternative geometry of the air duct, the air duct has at least one curvature and / or at least one narrowed section. The provision of a tortuous flow path and narrowed sections in the air duct also have an impact on the pressure drop of aromatized air flowing through the air duct so that the amount of aromatized air added to the drinking liquid under a specific sucking pressure at the mouth end can be tailored. Further, the provision of at least one curvature and / or at least one narrowed section serves to dampen pressure fluctuations generated by changes in the suction pressure.

[0083] According to an alternative geometry of the air duct, the aroma channel 86 and the air duct are both arranged in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the liquid duct 46. The aroma channel 86 and the aroma channel 86 can be aligned. As an alternative, a ring-shaped intermediate aroma channel is provided which is in fluid communication with the aroma channel 86 and the air duct 48, and which intermediate aroma channel extends in a direction around the liquid duct 46.

[0084] To generate such complex geometries like the provision of an intermediate aroma channel, the provision of a tortuous path of the air duct 48 or the provision of narrowed sections, it is advantageous to provide a separate element 102 for the portion of the liquid duct 46 surrounding the interior channel 47 of the liquid duct. Such separate element 102 can be pressed into a receiving structure of the closing structure 24 such that the air duct 48 is formed between the receiving structure of the closing structure 24 and the separate element 102. In such a way, complex geometries can be realized in an easy manufacturing process, i.e., using injection-moulded plastic parts. The separate element 102 can also be welded into the receiving structure, e.g., by means of ultrasonic welding.

[0085] The aroma container 50 is shown in Figs. 3 to 5 and has an upper wall 66 which is preferably flat, at least in regions, so that a label 68 can be affixed to the outside of the upper wall 66. The aroma container 50 has an interior aroma chamber 70 at least partially filled with a carrier substance 72 impregnated with an aroma substance.

[0086] The aroma container 50 is substantially annular, comprising a circular ring-shaped outer sidewall 74, and an inner sidewall 76 which deviates from a circular shape. In other words, the space surrounded by the inner sidewall 76 has a cross-sectional area which is not circular.

[0087] This illustrated geometry of the inner sidewall 76 of the aroma container 50 allows for a defined positioning of the aroma container 50 on a correspondingly shaped wall of the seating structure 84 of the closing structure 24. Therefore, the aroma container 50 can only be placed in one single angular position, i.e., with respect to rotation in the plane of the upper wall 66.

[0088] The air outlet opening 64 is located in the inner sidewall 76 in a flattened region 100, and an air inlet opening 78 in a bottom wall 80 is preferably arranged at a position of the bottom wall 80 which, in the essentially ring-shaped aroma container 50, is diametrically opposed to the air outlet opening 64 so that the air flow flowing through the aroma container 50 has to travel as wide a travel distance as possible, and can thus be enriched with aroma substance in a particularly effective manner.

[0089] The shape of the aroma container 50 in the embodiment as shown in Figs. 3 to 5 is only an example and any suitable shape of the aroma container can be provided.

[0090] The seating structure 84 comprises a first seating section 90 with a cylindrically shaped outer wall corresponding to the shape of the inner sidewall 76 of the aroma container, and a second seating section 92 arranged and shaped to support the bottom wall 80 of the aroma container 50.

[0091] The first seating section 90 has an extension in a longitudinal direction which essentially corresponds to the extension of the inner sidewall 76 in a longitudinal direction of the aroma container 50 mounted to the closing structure 24. For an accurate positioning of the aroma container 50, both the inner sidewall 76 of the aroma container 50 and the first seating section 90 need to be in abutment at the air outlet opening 64 of the aroma container 50. Therefore, close tolerances need to be provided to avoid a leakage of aromatized air at the interface between the aroma container 50 and the seating structure 84 of the closing structure 24. A limited extension in a longitudinal direction of the first seating section 90 limits the extension of the surface with close tolerances and also reduces the frictional force required to shift the aroma container in a longitudinal direction when mounting or removing the aroma container 50.

[0092] The second seating section 92 extends essentially perpendicular to the first seating section 90 and is shaped as a seating flange. Where the air inlet opening 78 of the aroma container 50 is positioned in the bottom wall 80 of the aroma container, the second seating section 92 is designed not the obstruct the ingress of air through the air inlet opening 78. In the specific embodiment according to Figs. 1 and 2, the second seating section 92 has a radial extension such that the specific part of the bottom wall 80 of the aroma container 50 where the air inlet opening 78 is arranged does not abut against the second seating section 92. However, it is also possible to dimension the second seating section 92 such that the bottom wall 80 of the aroma container fully rests on the seating section 92 except for a groove formed in the second seating section 92 such that air can travel to the air inlet opening 78.

[0093] In an embodiment not shown in the drawings, the aroma container can be movable between an operative position and a locking position. In the locking position, air cannot leave the aroma container and / or cannot enter the aroma container. The movement of the aroma container can be an axial shifting movement or a rotational movement.

[0094] The closing structure 24 further comprises a pressure equalization duct 94 which can be arranged at any suitable position where it provides an air communication between the interior chamber 14 of the refillable vessel 12 and the outside atmosphere. The pressure equalization duct 94 is adapted to supply the amount of air into the interior chamber 14 which replaces drinking liquid withdrawn from the interior chamber 14 through the liquid duct 46 when drinking. Another function of the pressure equalization duct 94 could be to allow air to leave the interior chamber 14 in case that the atmospheric pressure drops, e.g., when travelling in an airplane. When the cap 30 is in its closed position, the escape of air under increased pressure between the closing structure 24 and the outside atmosphere is established by the vent opening 88.

[0095] Preferably, a valve 96 is arranged in the pressure equalization duct. The valve 96 can be a check valve which seals the pressure equalization duct 94 with a predetermined closing force so that it is configured to open only in case that the pressure difference between the ambient pressure and the pressure in the interior chamber 14 of the refillable vessel 12 exceeds a specific, predetermined value. The provision of a check valve an inadvertent spilling out of drinking liquid through the pressure equalization duct 94 when the drinking device is in an upside down position with the exterior surface of the bottom wall 16 facing upwards. In such a case, drinking liquid inside the interior chamber 14 generates a hydrostatic pressure acting on the valve 96, and the valve 96 should close the pressure equalization duct 94 with a closing force which exceeds such hydrostatic pressure to avoid a spilling out of drinking liquid.

[0096] Preferably, the valve 96 can be a one-way valve only allowing the flow of air into the interior chamber 14 while preventing the leakage of drinking liquid through the pressure equalization duct 94. A suitable one-way valve for such purpose is an umbrella valve.

[0097] When preparing for use of the drinking device 10 as shown in the embodiment according to Figs. 1 and 2, the interior chamber 14 of the refillable vessel 12 is filled with drinking liquid, e.g., water. The closing structure 24 is mounted to the refillable vessel 12. An aroma container 50 is mounted to the seating structure 84 of the closing structure 24. The cap 30 is closed on the mounting structure 24 and kept in the closed position by engagement of the locking elements 36, 38.

[0098] When a user wants to drink from the drinking device 10, he / she presses the actuator element 42 releasing the engagement between the locking elements 36, 38. The cap can be manually opened or, in case of being biased into the opened position, automatically swings open. After this, a user can lift the drinking device and close his / her lips around the mouth end 40. When a sufficient sucking pressure is applied, drinking liquid flows towards the mouth end 40. The sucking pressure which is a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure leads to air being sucked into the air inlet opening 78 of the aroma container 50. The air travels through the interior aroma chamber 70 comprising a carrier substance 72 impregnated with an aroma substance and becomes loaded with aroma substance. The aromatized air leaves the air outlet opening 64 of the aroma container 50 and enters the air duct 48 in which it flows towards the mouth end 40. The aromatized air enters the mouth of the user either separately to the drinking liquid in case that the air duct has a separate aroma outlet opening in the mouth end 40, or the aromatized air enters the liquid duct 46 through the communication opening 62 between air duct 48 and liquid duct 46 and becomes dispersed in the drinking liquid as bubbles filled with aromatized air. In the oral cavity of the user, the aromatized air is retronasally perceived as a taste, while the drinking liquid is swallowed.

[0099] When a user stops applying a sucking pressure, the flow of drinking liquid through the liquid duct 46 stops. When there is no more sucking pressure, the flow of air through the air duct 48 stops as well, and there is no more air flow sucked through the aroma container 50. Even in case that the drinking device is held in an upside down position, the pressure drop generated by the second region 52 of the liquid duct 46 as well as the capillary effect generated by the second region 52 prevents a further flow of drinking liquid through the liquid duct 46 because the flow resistance generated by the pressure drop generated by the second region 52 and the adhesive forces acting in the second region 52 is higher than the hydrostatic pressure of the drinking liquid.Reference List

[0100] 10drinking device 12refillable vessel 14interior chamber 16bottom wall 18side wall 18alower end of side wall 18bupper end of side wall 20filling opening 22external thread 24closing structure 26internal threads 28top wall 30cap 32sidewall 34carrying strap 36,38locking elements 40mouth end 42actuator element 44wall structure 46liquid duct 46afirst end of liquid duct 46bsecond end of liquid duct 47interior channel 48air duct 50aroma container 52second region of the liquid duct 54first region of the liquid duct 56hinge 58,60separate parts of wall structure 44 62communication opening 64air outlet opening 66upper wall of aroma container 68label 70interior aroma chamber 72carrier substance 74outer sidewall of aroma container 76inner sidewall of aroma container 78air inlet opening 80bottom wall of aroma container 82liquid inlet of liquid duct 84seating structure 86aroma channel 88vent opening 90first seating section 92second seating section 94pressure equalization duct 96pressure equalization valve 98flange of aroma container 100flattened region 102separate element A1first cross-sectional area A2second cross-sectional area

Claims

1. Closing structure for a drinking device attachable to a refillable vessel of the drinking device at or close to a filling opening, comprising: - an elongate liquid duct (46) with an interior channel (47), a first end and a second end in a longitudinal direction of the liquid duct (46), the first end of the liquid duct (46) being at a mouth end (40) of the closing structure (24); wherein - the liquid duct (46) has a first region (54) with a first cross-sectional area (A1) which is a maximum cross-sectional area of the liquid duct (46); and - a second region (52) with a second cross-sectional area (A2) which is smaller than the first cross-sectional area (A1), and - the second region (52) is shaped and dimensioned such that a predetermined flow resistance is generated, which predetermined flow resistance is preferably selected such that in a position upside down of the drinking device (10) with the interior chamber (14) being filled with a water-based drinking liquid, the drinking liquid is prevented from flowing through the liquid duct (46).

2. Closing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the second narrowed section is shaped and dimensioned such that a flow of drinking liquid through the liquid duct (46) requires a pressure difference between the first end and the second end of the liquid duct (46) in the range of a sucking pressure used when drinking through a drinking straw.

3. Closing structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second region (52) is arranged at or close to the second end of the liquid duct (46).

4. Closing structure according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a part (102) of the elongate liquid duct (46)is provided as a separate part which is preferably attached by means of a press fitting or by means of welding.

5. Closing structure according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a pressure equalization duct (94) extending through the closing structure (24) and being arranged such that, when the closing structure is attached to a drinking vessel, the pressure equalization duct extends from an interior chamber (14) of the drinking vessel to the outside atmosphere.

6. Closing structure according to claim 5, further comprising a pressure equalization valve (96) arranged in the pressure equalization duct (94).

7. Closing structure according to claim 6, characterized in that the pressure equalization valve (96) is a one-way valve which is configured to open only to allow air to flow through the pressure equalization duct (94) into the interior chamber (14) if a first pressure of the air in the interior chamber is lower than a second pressure of the outside atmosphere and the pressure difference between the second pressure and the first pressure exceeds a predetermined value.

8. Closing structure according to claim 7, characterized in that the pressure equalization valve (96) is an umbrella valve.

9. Closing structure according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising - a replaceable aroma container (50) attachable to the closing structure (24); wherein the aroma container (50) has an interior volume (70) filled with an aromatizing substance, an air inlet opening (78) and an air outlet opening (64); wherein - the air outlet opening (64) is in communication with an air duct (48) in the closing structure (24) .

10. Closing structure according to claim 9, wherein - the air duct (48) runs essentially parallel to and separate from the liquid duct (46); and - the air duct (48) has an aroma inlet opening in communication with the air outlet opening (64) of the aroma container (50) and at least one aroma outlet opening at the mouth end (40) close to the first end of the liquid duct (46).

11. Closing structure according to claim 9, wherein the air duct (48) runs separate from the liquid duct (46) and has at least one communication opening (62) close to the first end of the liquid duct (48), which at least one communication opening (62) is in fluid communication with the interior channel (47).

12. Closing structure according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the air duct (48) comprises at least one tortuous section and / or at least one flow restriction.

13. Closing structure according to claim 9, characterized in that the air duct (48) is in fluid communication with the interior channel (47), wherein the air duct (48) opens into the interior channel (47) at a position of the interior channel (47) between the second region (52) and the first end (46a).

14. Drinking device according to any of the claims 9 to 13, wherein the aroma container (50) at least partially surrounds the wall structure (44) of the closing element (24) surrounding the liquid duct (46); and the closing element (24) comprises a step portion (90, 92) for seating and positioning the aroma container (50).

15. Drinking device for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance, comprising: - a refillable vessel (12) with an interior chamber (14) for storing a drinking liquid defined by a bottom wall (16), at least one sidewall (18) extending from the bottom wall (16), and a filling opening (20) distal to the bottom wall (16); and - the closing structure (24) according to any of the claims 9 to 14 attachable to the refillable vessel (12) at or close to its filling opening (20).

16. Drinking device according to claim 15, wherein the aroma container (50) at least partially surrounds a portion (44) of the closing structure (24) which comprises the liquid duct and the air duct.

17. Drinking device according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the closing structure (24) is provided with a skirt with a first thread (26), and the refillable vessel (12) is provided with a corresponding second thread (22) at the filling opening (20).

Images