Drinking device

Abstract

A drinking device for retronasal ingestion of an aroma substance comprises a reservoir (12) for drinking liquid, a head section (14) with a mouth end (28) that can be attached to the reservoir, at least one air-permeable, replaceable aroma container (20) that can be attached to the head section, and a drinking straw fixed in the head section, comprising a transport channel (18) for drinking liquid extending from the reservoir (12) towards the mouth end (28) of the drinking device (10), and an air channel (78) for transporting aromatized air, which extends from at least one of the at least one aroma container (20) towards the mouth end (28).

Description

Field of invention

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

[0002] There is a growing need for beverages that, on the one hand, have a pleasant taste, but on the other hand, avoid health risks that can arise from ingesting flavorings or stabilizing agents dissolved in the beverage. Furthermore, an increased calorie intake should be avoided.

[0003] Therefore, water with a subtle fruit flavor has become popular in recent years. However, this flavored water also contains undesirable additives, such as stabilizers and a certain amount of sugar, which is why these flavored drinks also have a calorie count that is unacceptable to many consumers.

[0004] A first step toward solving the problem is to add the flavoring to a beverage immediately before consumption. US 2008 / 028353 A1, US 2015 / 030726 A1, and US 8,662,2904 are examples of dosing systems in which a flavoring substance, originally intended to be added separately, is added to and dissolved in the beverage immediately before or even during consumption. While this measure can avoid problems such as stabilizing the beverage over an extended period, the issue of unwanted ingestion of additives remains.

[0005] Since the olfactory sensory impression constitutes a significant part of the gustatory perception when consuming food and beverages, existing systems attempt to influence the smell perceived while drinking. For this purpose, US 5,635,229 proposes an aroma element that can be attached to a drinking vessel near the drinking opening, so that the aroma element is in close proximity to the user's nose, who breathes through their nose while drinking and thus inhales the scent.

[0006] The drinking vessel according to US 8,662,339 B2 also works on this principle, whereby an aroma is inhaled through the nose while drinking. Description of the invention

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of proposing a drinking device that provides the user with an improved taste experience.

[0008] This problem is solved by a drinking device with the feature of claim 1. Preferred embodiments follow from the remaining claims and the following description.

[0009] The drinking device according to the invention for retronasal intake of an aroma substance comprises a reservoir for drinking liquid, a headpiece with a mouthpiece that can be attached to the reservoir; an air-permeable, replaceable aroma container that can be attached to the headpiece, and a drinking straw comprising a transport channel for drinking liquid extending from the reservoir towards the mouthpiece of the headpiece and an air channel for transporting aromatized air, which extends from the aroma container towards the mouthpiece in the headpiece.

[0010] The essential feature of the drinking device according to the invention is that the flavoring substance is absorbed retronasally. When drinking, the flavoring substance enters the user's mouth along with the drinking liquid and then rises retronasally via the pharynx to the olfactory mucosa (regio olfactoria), where it is detected by the receptors located there and perceived by the user. The device according to the invention is equally suitable for cold or warm drinking liquids.

[0011] This method takes advantage of the close connection between the senses of smell and taste. The user therefore gets the impression of tasting the aroma, even though they are actually only smelling it retronasally.

[0012] A person's sense of taste is significantly influenced by the retronasal sense of smell. The receptors on the tongue can only distinguish between sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami, whereas the more nuanced sense of taste arises when the gaseous phase of foods and liquids rises in the back of the throat via the retronasal route and reaches the olfactory mucosa. The sensors located there trigger neurological stimuli that create a taste sensation in the brain. Thus, a person who is exposed to an aroma in the back of their throat while drinking perceives the beverage as flavored, because the retronasal olfactory process creates the sensory impression in the brain that the beverage is the source of the aroma, even though the user is consuming a pure, unflavored liquid such as water.When smelling through the nose, the so-called orthonasal intake of an aroma substance, this impression does not arise to the same extent, because the sensory impression is linked to the breathing rate and the user thus gets the correct impression that he is only smelling the aroma substance, but not tasting it as with retronasal intake.

[0013] The preferably refillable storage container can hold pure water or carbonated water, while the flavoring substance is transferred to the air in the transport channel and added to the drinking liquid immediately before ingestion by the user, or transported separately into the user's throat.

[0014] Alternatively, the drinking liquid can also have its own inherent flavor. The existing inherent flavor of the drinking liquid is either enhanced by the flavoring substance from the flavoring container or supplemented by one or more additional flavor components. If, for example, the reservoir contains apple juice, apple flavoring can be added to enhance the taste experience, or orange flavoring, for example, can be added to create a flavor blend. In this way, alcoholic beverages, such as beer, can also be flavored with additional flavoring substances, allowing for the consideration of a user's specific preferences by using a suitable flavoring container in the drinking device according to the invention.Furthermore, the drinking device disclosed here can also use flavors not typically found in food products, such as "sandalwood" (familiar from room fragrances), "spring meadow," or "unicorn." The flavoring used can be artificial or natural. It is possible to use flavorings isolated or concentrated from an artificial or natural source, as well as natural substances such as fresh or processed products made from, for example, lemon peels, dandelion leaves, licorice, or other aromatic materials.

[0015] Placing the aroma container at the top of the drinking device has the added advantage that the user can immediately identify the flavor. For example, the aroma container could be labeled according to the selected flavor or even colored throughout, such as yellow for lemon or green for green apple.

[0016] The drinking straw can be attached to the headpiece in such a way that one end of the straw is positioned a few centimeters, preferably between 2 cm and 5 cm, in front of the mouthpiece, and the flavored air guided in the air channel enters the drinking liquid at the end of the straw or in its immediate vicinity. The user then drinks the liquid infused with flavored air at the mouthpiece.

[0017] The flavored air escapes from the surrounding drinking liquid in the user's mouth in the form of air bubbles and rises retronasally through the pharynx to the olfactory mucosa. A further advantage of supplying the flavored air and the drinking liquid separately, right up to the mouthpiece, is that any transfer of substances between the air and the drinking liquid is negligible.

[0018] The technical challenge of all the solutions described above lies in coordinating the geometries of the transport channel for drinking liquid and the air channel so that, depending on the drinking position, as well as with special drinking liquids and also the viscosity of the drinking liquid, the flavored air and the drinking liquid are drawn in in the desired ratio to each other.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the replaceable aroma container is movable in an axial direction from a sealing position to a non-sealing position relative to the head. In this way, a simple axial movement of the aroma container allows it to be moved from a sealing position to an operating position in which air can flow through the aroma container.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the head part is arranged at an angle relative to the storage container, preferably inclined at an angle between 20° and 30° relative to the storage container and particularly preferably inclined at an angle of about 25° relative to the longitudinal axis of the storage container.

[0021] This measure has the advantage that the drinking device according to the invention has improved ergonomics and, moreover, it is intuitively clear to the user how to hold the drinking device. Furthermore, by providing a bend in the axial extension of the drinking device, the device is tilted significantly less when drinking, thus reducing the risk of unintentional spillage. In addition, the bend facilitates the filling process of the reservoir by the user, especially at water sources where the distance between the tap and sink is short.

[0022] The angular arrangement of the head part relative to the reservoir can also be combined with the further preferred feature in which the drinking straw has a section-by-section curvature in the longitudinal direction.

[0023] If the position of the reservoir is defined during drinking and the straw has at least a partial curvature, the end of the straw opposite the mouth can be positioned so that it is possible to drink almost the entire contents of the reservoir.

[0024] A preferred embodiment of the drinking device is the provision of a lid that is either placed on top or screwed on, thereby sealing the drinking device. A screw-on lid is well suited to sealing the drinking device tightly even when increased pressure builds up inside the reservoir, as can occur when the drinking liquid is a carbonated beverage. Such a lid can seal the transport channel for the drinking liquid, the air channel for flavored air, and, likewise, an additional air channel for supplying air into the reservoir for pressure equalization. A further advantage of a screw-on lid is that it protects the mouthpiece from contamination, and it is a familiar element to every user, whose suitability for tightly sealing the drinking device is readily relied upon.

[0025] Preferably, the lid has a receptacle for attaching a carrying strap. This receptacle can, for example, be designed as a tongue-and-groove system. In this way, different carrying straps can be conveniently attached to the lid, and the drinking device can be personalized to the user's wishes, for example, by choosing the color of the carrying strap. Personalization can also be achieved through a different shape of the strap.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the head section has an air chamber connected to the air channel. This air chamber acts as a safety buffer to dampen overpressure and underpressure during and after drinking, thus preventing drinking liquid from flowing into the aroma container. This particularly solves the problem that fluctuations in pressure and flow conditions in the liquid transport channel and the air channel, which occur at the end of the drinking process, can lead to drinking liquid entering the air channel and / or the aroma container. This ingress of liquid can, for example, cause the aroma-emitting substance in the aroma container to be undesirably diluted or lead to hygiene problems.The interruption of the air channel by an air chamber can be designed such that a recess is provided in the head of the drinking device at the contact point of the transport channel for drinking liquid and the air channel.

[0027] The invention also includes an aroma container for a drinking device for the retronasal administration of an aroma substance. The aroma container comprises a substantially annular aroma chamber comprising a carrier substance containing a fluid with an aromatizing substance, wherein the aroma chamber is enclosed by a wall comprising an inner circumferential surface, an outer circumferential surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the inner circumferential surface has a non-circular cross-section and is shaped such that the aroma container can be placed on a component shaped complementary to the inner circumferential surface only in a single direction of rotation and is displaceable in an axial direction relative to the component, and has at least one first opening for the inflow of air and at least one second opening for the outflow of air.

[0028] The aroma container according to the invention, which can be attached to the head of the drinking device, surrounds the head of the drinking device with its inner circumferential surface. Since the inner circumferential surface is shaped such that the aroma container can only be placed on a component shaped complementary to the inner circumferential surface in a single direction of rotation—in this specific case, the head of the drinking device shaped complementary to the inner circumferential surface—an inlet opening in the head of the drinking device can be aligned with the aroma container in such a way that the user, when drinking through the straw, draws in aromatized air that has flowed through the aroma container. Due to the axial displacement of the aroma container in a direction essentially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces, the aroma container can be moved between a locked position and an operating position.In the locked position, there is no airflow connection between the second opening of the flavor container and the air channel of the drinking straw. In the operating position, however, the user can draw air through the drinking straw, which is in airflow connection with the second opening of the flavor container, so that ambient air is drawn into the first opening of the flavor container, flows through the flavor chamber containing the flavoring substance, is flavored, exits the flavor container through the second opening, and flows into the air channel of the drinking straw.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one first opening for air inflow is arranged in the underside of the wall. The first opening or openings for air inflow are arranged essentially on the outside of, for example, an essentially ring-shaped aroma container, whereas the second opening or openings for air outflow are arranged essentially on the inside of the aroma container. Providing several second openings offers the advantage that the aroma container can be positioned not only in a single orientation relative to the head of the drinking device, but in several positions in which one of the second openings is fluidically connected to the air channels of the head.This makes handling easier for the user, and other shapes of the aroma container are possible because a defined relative positioning is no longer required.

[0030] This positioning of the first opening, in conjunction with the axial displacement of the aroma container, makes it possible to move the aroma container axially into a locking position, in which not only is there no flow connection between the second opening and the air channel of the drinking straw, but the first opening can also be brought into contact with a suitable part of the head, thus sealing the first opening in the locking position.

[0031] For example, the aroma container, with any prismatic geometry, could be pressed axially to bring it into a non-sealing position. The aroma container could then lock into this position, meaning it would remain there automatically, or it could be possible to drink with added aroma only if the aroma container is removed. This would also allow a user to choose between drinking liquid with and without flavored air.

[0032] Using a substantially elastic material, such as silicone or other elastomers, to manufacture the headpiece or parts of the headpiece of the drinking device can enable a simplified sealing of the system.

[0033] Preferably, the opening for air to escape is arranged in the inner circumferential surface. In this way, a flow connection between the aroma container and the head section, which rests against the inner circumferential surface of the aroma container, can be easily established.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the removable aroma container can be inserted into the drinking device according to the invention using a simple sequence of movements. This can be achieved by having the inner circumferential surface have a characteristic shape that is immediately recognizable to the user, enabling them to place the aroma container in its correct position on the head of the drinking device.

[0035] A particularly preferred embodiment, however, is one in which the aroma container of the drinking device simultaneously serves as a shut-off device, enabling the air channel as well as the first and second openings of the aroma container to be tightly sealed. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aroma container is designed such that it can be moved from the sealing position to the non-sealing position via a translational movement. Consequently, the user only needs to move the aroma container into an operating position, which then activates the sealing device without the user noticing. This approach minimizes the number of components, resulting in, among other things, a more hygienic design and cost savings during the production and assembly of the drinking device.Furthermore, almost every user is familiar with the function of a sports valve, so that the user intuitively pulls out the aroma container as a sliding component for drinking and, after drinking, pushes it back into its original position or unscrews the lid, with the help of which the aroma container can be moved back into its locked position.

[0036] The drinking device according to the invention can be designed in a variety of ways. It can be a portable drinking bottle, either single-walled or double-walled as a thermos flask.

[0037] Another preferred embodiment of the invention consists in the transport channel for drinking liquid and / or the air channel having a special shape. For example, the transport channel for drinking liquid may be widened or narrowed at one, two, or more points, meaning that the diameter of the transport channel is larger or smaller than at the other points. A narrowing or widening can be implemented in the drinking straw of the drinking device. This allows for a modified mouthfeel for the user when drinking from the device.

[0038] Another preferred modification of the geometry of the channels in the drinking device includes different surfaces on the inside of the channel or obstacles that change the flow conditions in the transport channel for drinking liquid or the air channel.

[0039] The air channel of the drinking device can also have a specific shape. Previous solutions use a channel of a uniform shape throughout. This requires the air channel to have a small diameter, which causes problems during the manufacturing of the drinking device's head. Furthermore, a narrow channel makes cleaning the drinking device more difficult. However, it is also possible for the air channel to be narrowed only at a short point. This simplifies production and facilitates cleaning.

[0040] Another preferred embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention provides that the aroma unit of the drinking device according to the invention must be activated before use. The aroma can initially be encapsulated microscopically or macroscopically. Activation can be effected, for example, by a change in temperature or a mechanical process. A preferred embodiment provides an air-permeable filter in which a substantially round aroma unit is placed, the interior of which essentially contains a fluid comprising a flavoring substance. The shell of the aroma unit preferably consists of a material such as gelatin or agarose, so that in the inactive state a dense shell keeps the fluid containing the flavoring substance in a non-volatile state. Upon activation, for example by rupturing the shell under pressure, the fluid is released into the surrounding filter.Such solutions are proposed, for example, in US Patent 20040261807 A1 for use in cigarettes. According to the invention, this technology is to be used in a preferred embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention. This offers several advantages. For example, it allows the flavoring substances to be protected from oxidative processes, and in general, packaging material can be saved and plastic seals avoided.

[0041] All preferred embodiments and combinations of the technical features described above and below have in common that the average airflow through the air channel during normal drinking from the drinking device according to the invention is expediently between approximately 250 and 550 ml / min. This airflow is achieved, for example, by using an air channel with a diameter of approximately 0.5 to 2.5 mm or with a non-circular cross-section and a cross-sectional area of ​​the air channel between 0.2 mm² and 4.9 mm². The airflow can also be adjusted in other ways, such as by a substantially short narrowing of the air channel, a valve (which can also be designed as a check valve) to prevent the entry of liquid into the air channel and / or the flavor container, or by using a membrane.A substantially permeable membrane can, for example, be installed at the point where the air duct enters the transport channel for drinking liquid. A further advantage of using a membrane at this location is that the fluctuations in pressure and flow conditions described above, occurring at the end of the drinking process, do not cause drinking liquid to enter the air duct and / or the aroma container, or reduce its quantity, at that or any other moment. Brief description of the drawings

[0042] The invention is described below by way of example only, with reference to the attached schematic figures, in which Fig. 1 schematically shows the operating principle of a drinking device according to the invention for the retronasal absorption of an aroma substance; Fig. 2 shows a side view of a drinking device according to the invention with a screwed-on lid; Fig. 3 shows a side view of the drinking device according to the invention. Fig. 2 without lid; Figs. 4 and 5 show a retaining loop and the attachment geometry on the lid for the retaining loop; Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of an aroma container; Fig. 7 shows a top view of the aroma container after Fig. 6 Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 show the head of the drinking device according to the invention with the drinking straw inserted; Fig. 10 shows a top view of the head; Fig. 11 shows a sectional view along section line AA. Fig. 10Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 show the two operating states of the drinking device according to the invention; Fig. 14 shows a sectional view of the drinking straw; and Fig. 15 shows the inside of the lid. Description of preferred embodiments

[0043] In the following embodiments, the same components are designated with the same reference numbers.

[0044] In Fig. 1A drinking device 10 is schematically depicted, in which the individual components are shown so that they are easily visible without exactly following the embodiment described in more detail later. The drinking device consists of a reservoir 12 filled with pure drinking liquid and a head 14. Pure drinking liquid in this context always refers to drinking liquid that does not contain any flavoring added by the drinking system according to the invention. The head 14 has a mouthpiece, which in this case is integrated into the head 14, but can also be provided separately. An flavoring container 20 is located in the head 14, which is in a Fig. 1The air channel 12 is connected to the ambient air in a manner not shown, and an air channel 22 leads away from it for the transport of aromatized air. Furthermore, a transport channel 18 for drinking liquid is provided, which in the present embodiment extends into the pure liquid present in the storage container 12, similar to a straw.

[0045] When using the drinking device 10 according to the invention, both the pure liquid and the aromatized air are ingested orally, and the aromatized air travels via the retronasal pathway 24 in the direction of arrow A to the olfactory mucosa 26, where the aroma is detected by the receptors located in the olfactory mucosa and, through the neuronal processing of the sensory stimuli, the user gets the impression that the pure liquid that the user drinks (direction of arrow B) has the taste added by the aroma.

[0046] It is advantageous to minimize the contact time between the flavored air and the pure liquid. This minimizes unwanted mass transfer of flavoring substances between the air and the pure liquid, although absorption of the flavoring into the liquid cannot be completely ruled out. The shorter the contact time between the air and the liquid, and also the smaller the total interface between the two, the lower the unwanted mass transfer.

[0047] In order to use the drinking device according to the invention effectively, it must be ensured that, firstly, the aroma does not escape undesirably during storage of the drinking device, and secondly, that a drinking device already filled with pure liquid cannot leak. Furthermore, the drinking device must have an air channel between the interior of the liquid reservoir and the outside atmosphere. This air channel serves to equalize pressure and introduces a corresponding volume of air into the drinking device, corresponding to the volume of liquid dispensed. This air channel should also be equipped with a suitable shut-off device to prevent any undesired liquid leakage.

[0048] In Figures 2 and 3The essential components of the drinking device 10 according to the invention are shown. A head 14 is attached to the reservoir 12 for pure liquid. The head 14 is clamped into the upper opening of the reservoir 12, but could also be attached, for example, via an internal thread (not shown) on the reservoir 12 for pure liquid or by another closure mechanism. As shown in the illustrations according to Figures 2 and 3 As can be seen, the head section 14 is arranged at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis A of the reservoir 12. For ergonomic reasons, an angle of approximately α = 25° between the longitudinal axis A of the reservoir and the longitudinal axis B of the drinking spout ending at the mouth end 28 has proven to be particularly advantageous.

[0049] As in Figure 2 As shown, a lid 40 can be screwed onto the head part using the thread 32 to close the drinking device 10.

[0050] A carrying handle 45, which can be interchangeable, can be attached to the lid 40. For this purpose, a connection between the lid 40 and the carrying handle 45, easily detachable by the user, is provided, as shown in the Figures 4 and 5 It can be designed as a tongue-and-groove system with one or more springs 44 on the carrying tab 42 and corresponding grooves 46 on the lid 40. The grooves narrow to increase friction so that the carrying tab 45 cannot detach from the lid on its own. Of course, the Figures 4 and 5 The connection shown is only an example and can be replaced by any other easily assembled and disassembled connection. The carrying strap 45 is preferably made of silicone with a rounded loop to prevent tearing under tension. The two ends are joined at the bottom to conceal the technically sophisticated, form-fit connection.

[0051] In Figure 3The drinking device 10 is shown without a lid, so that the headpiece 14, attached to the angled end of the reservoir 10 in the upper opening, is visible. The headpiece 14 is clamped into the upper opening of the reservoir. Preferably, the headpiece is made of silicone or another elastomer that is sufficiently elastic to be clamped into the upper opening of the reservoir and to seal it tightly. The headpiece has a mouthpiece 28 that is oval-shaped for improved ergonomics at the lips. Furthermore, the oval shape of the mouthpiece 28 also allows for more precise positioning of the headpiece 14 on the reservoir 12, since the non-round shape of the mouthpiece provides visual and haptic feedback.

[0052] An interchangeable aroma container 20 is attached to the head section 14. The one in the Figures 6 and 7The illustrated aroma container 20 has an annular interior 48, which is enclosed on the outside by an annular outer wall 50, radially on the inside by an inner wall 52, above by a top surface 54, and below by a bottom surface 56. The interior 48 contains a carrier material that is provided with an aroma substance. The aroma substance is preferably in liquid form.

[0053] On the underside 56 is a first opening 58, through which ambient air can flow into the interior 48 of the aroma container 20 in the operating position described later. A second opening 60 is provided in the inner wall 52, through which the aromatized air in the aroma container exits in the operating position. The first opening 58 and the second opening 60 are positioned as far apart as possible so that the air flowing in through the first opening 58 absorbs as much aroma as possible as it passes through the interior 48 before exiting through the second opening 60.

[0054] As particularly in Figure 7 As can be seen, the space enclosed by the inner wall 52 has a teardrop-shaped cross-section. This cross-sectional shape is only an example. Crucially, however, with respect to the radial direction R, only one position is possible in which the aroma container 20 can be slid onto the mouthpiece.

[0055] The top surface 54 is designed to be as flat as possible so that a sticker can be attached there which provides information about the aroma direction of the aroma container 20.

[0056] Furthermore, a step 62 is provided between the inner wall 52 and the top surface 54, with which the aroma container 20 in the operating position is protected against, for example, an object in the Figures 8 and 11 The depicted stop 64 abuts the headboard.

[0057] Additional measures may be provided on the outer wall 50 to ensure that a user can grip the aroma container securely and easily, in order to move the aroma container between the rest position and the operating position and also to replace it.

[0058] In the Figures 8 and 9The head 14 with the drinking straw 66 fixed within it is shown. When refilling the container with liquid, the head 14 is removed together with the drinking straw 66. The head 14 is formed in one piece with the mouth end 28. The oval shape of the mouth end 28 is best illustrated by Figure 10 The drinking straw 66 can be detached from the head section 14 for easier cleaning.

[0059] The mouthpiece 68 of the head 14 is also teardrop-shaped, although the exact shapes are preferably not completely complementary to those of the aroma container. The aroma container should fit firmly against the mouthpiece 68 primarily at its tip and on the diametrically opposite surface, so that there is no play in the area of ​​the openings, while at the same time the frictional surface is not too large, in order to facilitate the movement of the aroma container 20 relative to the mouthpiece 68 of the head 14.

[0060] When the aroma container 20 is inserted onto the mouthpiece 68 of the head part 14, the aroma container is closed and, due to the contact of the underside 56 with the surface 70 of the head part 14, no air can flow into the first opening of the aroma container.

[0061] The stop 64 limits the axial movement of the aroma container when it is pushed up into the operating position. The stop 64 is spring-loaded on the inside by a circumferential cavity 72 to allow for easy replacement of the aroma container, for which the aroma container must be pulled upwards over the stop 64.

[0062] As in Figure 9As shown, a pressure relief channel 74 is provided at the head 14, through which air can escape from the reservoir and also flow in during drinking. When the lid 40 is in place, the pressure relief channel 74 is compressed from above between the edge of the reservoir and the lid, thus creating a seal. When opened, the pressure relief channel 74 vents the excess pressure to the outside. At the same time, the pressure relief channel 74 is designed so that no water remains in it, preventing water from splashing out of the opening when it is opened.

[0063] The opening for the straw again adopts the teardrop shape, ensuring precise positioning of the straw in the bowl. When inserted, the straw meets a stop at the top of the bowl. This stop, along with the cross-sectional shape, determines the straw's position. Figure 14 The hole 78 shown in the drinking straw 66 is fixed both axially and radially and thus positioned relative to the head part.

[0064] In the head section 14 an entry opening 80 is formed, which in Figure 11 This opening 80 communicates with a compensation chamber 82 in the headpiece, which acts as a buffer and can absorb any over- and under-pressures that occur during and after drinking, thus preventing water from flowing into the aroma container. When assembled, the compensation chamber 82 forms the space between the headpiece 14 and the [unclear text]. Figure 11 The drinking straw 66 (not shown) is formed. Suitable stabilizing ribs are provided within the compensation chamber 82 to ensure sufficient stability of the head in the area of ​​the inlet opening 80, so that the desired seal between the aroma container and the head is present.

[0065] Finally, the mouthpiece of the head part has 14 sealing lips 84, which separate the different areas in the opening from each other and prevent the ingress of dirt to the functional areas.

[0066] As in the Figure 10 As shown, a marking in the form of a raised area 75 is provided on the head section 14, which indicates to the user where to place his thumb to easily detach the head section from the storage container.

[0067] In the Figures 12 and 13 The aroma container 20 is shown in the operating position. In comparison, the following is shown: Figure 13 the locking position of the aroma container 20. In the operating position, the top of the aroma container 20 abuts against the stop 64, so that it is clearly visible to the user when the aroma container is in the operating position. Only in the Figure 12In the operating position shown, air can flow in through the first opening and the flavored air can flow out of the second opening and enter the headpiece 14 through the opening 80 aligned with it and enter the opening 76 in the drinking straw from the compensation chamber 82 adjoining the opening 80.

[0068] In Figure 14 Figure 66 shows a cross-sectional view of the drinking straw, which contains the transport channel 18 for drinking liquid and the air channel 78. The drinking straw also has a teardrop-shaped cross-section. The drinking straw 66 is, as in Figure 66, a sectional view of the drinking straw 66. Figure 78 shows the transport channel 18 for drinking liquid and the air channel 78 ... Figure 3 It is shown curved so that, when drinking from the reservoir, it ends near the lowest point of the reservoir, allowing for almost complete emptying of the liquid in the reservoir.

[0069] In Figure 15The lid 40 is shown. The lid has an internal thread 86, which allows it to be screwed onto the thread 32 on the head piece. When screwed on, the lid performs several functions. Firstly, a sealing plug 88 is molded onto it, which seals the mouthpiece. In addition, numerous ribs 90 are provided on the inner circumference of the lid 40, which, when closed, press flat against the outer edge of the surface 70 of the mouthpiece, thereby sealing the equalization channel. This seal can also be achieved by a different type of projection (not shown here) at the level of the ends of the ribs. Finally, an annular shoulder 92 is provided, which, when the lid 40 is screwed onto the head piece 14, engages the aroma container 20 in the Figure 13 The depicted locking position is moved. Therefore, after drinking, a user no longer needs to remove the aroma container 20 from the position shown. Figure 12 depicted operating position in the Figure 13 Instead of moving the depicted locking position, you only need to unscrew the cover 40.

[0070] With the drinking device according to the invention, the aroma is ingested solely orally, thus preventing an orthonasal olfactory impression. Due to the oral ingestion of the aroma, the taste sensation for the user arises exclusively through retronasal perception of the aroma substance and is absorbed by the consumer via the enteral route only in negligible amounts, if at all. Complex aromas and aroma mixtures can also be produced that do not require long-term stabilization in the drinking liquid and are not swallowed by the user.

Claims

1. Drinking device for retronasal ingestion of an aroma substance, comprising: - a reservoir (12) for drinking liquid; - a headpiece (14) with a mouthpiece (28) that can be attached to the reservoir; - an air-permeable, replaceable aroma container (20) that can be attached to the headpiece (14); and - a drinking straw (66) fixed in the headpiece (14), comprising: - a transport channel (18) for drinking liquid extending from the reservoir (12) towards the mouthpiece (28) of the headpiece (14); and - an air channel (78) for transporting aromatized air, extending from the aroma container (20) towards the mouthpiece (28) of the headpiece (14).

2. Drinking device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the replaceable aroma container (20) is movable in an axial direction from a sealing position to a non-sealing position relative to the head part (14).

3. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a pressure equalization channel which closes an air supply line which leads into the interior of the reservoir (12) for drinking liquid.

4. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the head part (14) is arranged at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the storage container, preferably inclined at an angle between 20° and 30° relative to the storage container and particularly preferably inclined at an angle of about 25° relative to the longitudinal axis of the storage container.

5. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the drinking straw (66) has a curvature in the longitudinal direction in sections.

6. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a lid (40) which is preferably screwable onto the head part (14) of the drinking device and preferably has a receiving device (46) for attaching a carrying strap (45).

7. Drinking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the head section (14) has an air chamber (82) in conjunction with the air channel (22).

8. Aroma container for a drinking device according to one of the preceding claims for retronasal intake of an aroma substance, comprising: - a substantially annular aroma chamber (48) comprising a carrier substance containing a fluid with an aromatizing substance; wherein - the aroma chamber (48) is enclosed by a wall comprising an inner circumferential surface (52), an outer circumferential surface (50), a top (54), and a bottom (56); wherein - the inner circumferential surface (52) has a non-circular cross-section and is shaped such that the aroma container (20) can be placed on a component shaped complementary to the inner circumferential surface (52) only in a single direction of rotation and is displaceable in an axial direction substantially perpendicular to the top (54) relative to the component; - at least one first opening (58) for the inflow of air; and - at least one second opening (60) for the outflow of air.

9. Aroma container according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that which has at least one first opening (58) for the inflow of air in the underside (56) of the wall.

10. Aroma container according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by the fact that which has at least one second opening (60) for the outflow of air in the inner circumferential surface (52).

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