Aroma diffuser for disposable water bottle

Abstract

The invention relates to a beverage device comprising a disposable water bottle (1) including: a neck (2), a screw cap (6), a tamper-evident ring (4) connected by a tamper-evident link (5), preferably of the tab type (5), to the screw cap (6) so as to render the screw cap (6) captive, an aroma diffuser (7) fixed in the base of the captive screw cap (6), capable of containing at least one aroma, in liquid or solid form, alone or absorbed in an absorbent material, for: diffusing this aroma in gaseous form from the reservoir layer (7), this aroma then being detectable by a human nose, while preventing water from entering this reservoir layer (7), and preventing this aroma from escaping from the reservoir layer (7) in liquid or solid form. Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Aroma diffuser for disposable water bottle FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of bottles from which one can drink directly, that is to say of a volume between 0.2 litres and 2 litres, and containing a non-alcoholic beverage. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the field of non-alcoholic beverages, there are mainly water, fruit juices and sodas. The challenge is to reconcile two different, not to say often opposing, things: the user's taste and their health.

[0003] Many users like sodas, but these are too sweet, especially since the combination of gas plus sugar seems even more harmful than sugar alone, risking an increase in the proportion of obese people in the population.

[0004] Water is excellent for health, but many users find it too bland, whether still or sparkling. Fruit juices might seem, at first glance, to offer a happy medium between sodas and water, striking a good balance between taste and consumer health. But here again, the compromise is far from perfect, because either the quantity of fruit juice is high, and the drink tastes good but remains too sweet, or the quantity of fruit juice is low, and the drink becomes less harmful to health but more bland.

[0005] However, the users' strong taste for fruits and fruit drinks actually comes essentially from the users' sense of smell detecting and enjoying the aroma of the fruit, much more than from the detection by the tongue which is much more limited than the sense of smell, whether by direct breathing / olfaction or by retro-nasalization.

[0006] Thus, instead of making the user drink fruit juice, if we simply make him drink water, while simultaneously allowing him to smell the fruit, we can achieve a much better compromise: his taste is almost as well satisfied, since the essential part of the fruit detection, coming from olfaction, is well done, while totally preserving his health since no sugar is swallowed, the scent of the fruit is only smelled.

[0007] However, making such a fruit perfume scent capsule, which is both effective, good for health, and economically interesting, is not so simple, as shown by the disadvantages of the various systems of the prior art, especially if one also takes into account the simplification of use for the user and the stability of positioning of the capsule during use by the user.

[0008] According to prior art, as described in US patent 5635229, a specific water bottle is known, with a specific two-part cap connected by a tab, in which an aroma pellet is disposed in the specific cap, so that, when the user drinks the water from the bottle, he simultaneously breathes in a carbonated fragrance diffused by the aroma pellet disposed in the cap.

[0009] In Figure 5 of US patent 5635229, the cap shown comprises: • On the one hand, a cylinder 36 equipped with a small orifice 42 for draining water through the neck of the bottle located at the top of the cylinder 36, and a large opening located at the bottom of the cylinder 36, the inside of which is threaded to allow the entire cap 34 to screw onto the neck of the specific bottle 12 (see figure 7), • And on the other hand, a capsule 38 capable of covering and closing this small orifice 42, an absorbent material 44 located in this capsule 38 diffusing a gaseous aroma fragrance, a small central totally impermeable protective disc 46 preventing water from escaping through the small orifice 42 when the capsule 38 covers and closes the cylinder 36, thus preventing water from entering the absorbent material 44, thereby increasing the lifespan of the aroma stored in the absorbent material 44.

[0010] The orifice 42 is small, compared to the size of the absorbent material disc 44, so that the totally impermeable central protective disc 46 can also remain small, leaving the vast majority of the surface of the absorbent material disc 44 free and available to emit the gaseous perfume from the aroma lozenge 38.

[0011] According to the invention, this prior art has three drawbacks: • Firstly, the use of a specific bottle, and especially a specific cap with a complex, dedicated two-part structure, makes the entire beverage device more difficult and expensive to manufacture, • Secondly, the diameter of the 42 opening is very small compared to the size of the bottle neck, which does not allow for a sufficiently high flow rate, especially when one is really thirsty. • Admittedly, drinking slowly allows the fizz to have plenty of time to diffuse around the neck of the bottle, but drinking slowly can be very frustrating, especially when you're really thirsty. • However, according to the invention, it is observed that even if this were desired, it would be difficult and inconvenient to significantly increase the diameter of the orifice 42, as this would result in a significant increase in the diameter of the completely impermeable central protective disc 46, which in turn would reduce to a narrow crown of the aroma disc 44, the diffusion surface of the gaseous perfume by this absorbent material disc 44 containing the aroma to be diffused in the form of gaseous perfume, unless this totally impermeable central protective disc 46 is omitted and the lifespan of the aroma pellet 44 is drastically reduced, • Thus, in the structure of the drinking device of this earlier art, it does not seem possible to reconcile both: • on the one hand, a good flow rate of water through opening 42, to allow for a quick and easy drink of the water from the bottle, • and on the other hand, a good diffusion rate of the gaseous fragrance from the aroma lozenge 44, to intensely breathe in the fragrance of this aroma, • Thirdly, if the user drinks intermittently, i.e., from time to time just a few quick sips and then closes the bottle each time, which corresponds to regular and recommended hydration for health, the fragrance will not necessarily have time to diffuse properly around the neck of the bottle and the sensation of breathing in the gaseous fragrance of the aroma will be a little less intense. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The invention aims first to improve the overall compromise between the three previous disadvantages, and preferably then to improve all three of these disadvantages simultaneously with a simple and inexpensive structural solution.

[0013] With the diffuser, advantageously in the shape of a pellet, according to the invention, associated with a standard water bottle, which is advantageously a disposable mineral water bottle, in particular a disposable plastic mineral water bottle, with a capacity of between 0.2 and 2 liters, this standard water bottle now comprising a captive cap connected by a fastener, advantageously of the tab type, to a safety ring disposed around the neck of this standard bottle, the user will find in combination the following three advantages: • Firstly, the use of the specific design of the captive cap on the standard water bottle, to place the aroma diffuser in the bottom of this captive cap, without any modification to either the standard water bottle or any modification, at least significant, to this captive screw cap, • This allows the use of the captive cap, which has the advantage of being more environmentally friendly but the disadvantage of being less practical For the water drinker, without modifying it, or almost without modifying it, to obtain a second advantage, to house an aroma diffuser allowing the water drinker to directly smell the aroma without any additional gesture or effort other than that of drinking, the structure and arrangement of the captive screw cap making it perfectly suited to house the aroma diffuser. Secondly, the water outlet diameter, that is to say the diameter of the orifice sizing the water flow rate out of the standard bottle, can become larger and even much larger, can even simply be the internal diameter of the neck of the standard water bottle, allowing water to be drunk at a high flow rate, and in any case significantly higher than that of the prior art US 5635229. • While maintaining a long lifespan for the aroma in the diffuser, even when the bottle is closed and stored, • By avoiding, or greatly reducing, contact between the water from the bottle and the inside of the diffuser containing the aroma, through the use of a material or layer of material that is impermeable or very impermeable to water, so as to prevent water from entering the diffuser and coming into contact with the aroma, or at the very least to prevent any water that might have entered the diffuser from leaving laden with aroma (the aroma being in solid or liquid form), which would otherwise significantly reduce the lifespan of the aroma diffuser by unnecessarily losing a substantial portion of the aroma contained within it. Thirdly, if the user drinks intermittently, that is, occasionally taking just a few quick sips and then closing the bottle each time, which corresponds to regular and recommended hydration, the fragrance will still be intense.because the reserve of carbonated perfume that will have diffused in the upper, unfilled part of the closed bottle will be released towards the user's nose when they open the bottle. • Some of the aroma emitted in gaseous form by the aroma diffuser will have been stored inside the bottle, in fact inside the body of the bottle, for as long as the bottle remains closed, because the bottom of the cap is in direct communication with the inside of the bottle body; indeed, there is no wall or element that prevents the perfume emitted by the diffuser located at the bottom of the cap from going into the body of the bottle.

[0014] The use, in conjunction with that of a standard bottle and its standard captive screw cap, of a part or layer of material that is both permeable to gases and impermeable or very slightly permeable to water, allows not only a high flow rate of beverage with a long aroma life, but also to obtain this without modifying or almost without modifying the simple structure of the captive screw cap of a standard bottle, thus finally obtaining a double qualitative improvement with a simple and inexpensive structure.

[0015] The invention proposes an alternative approach to solving this problem. The invention provides an aroma diffuser whose design, shape, and structure make it directly usable with a commercially available bottle of mineral water, without any adaptation of the bottle's shape or structure. The aroma is diffused when the user drinks the water from the bottle. Thus, the aroma diffuser offers users simplicity and flexibility in its use, also allowing them to save money.

[0016] The invention provides both an aroma diffuser for use with a water bottle and a drinking device integrating this aroma diffuser and the water bottle with which it is used.

[0017] To this end, the invention proposes a drinking device, comprising: a disposable water bottle, in particular a disposable plastic water bottle, with a capacity of between 0.2 and 2 liters, comprising: a neck, surrounded by a thread for a screw cap, and by a collar, located below the thread of the neck; a screw cap, which has an internal thread corresponding to the external thread of the neck allowing the cap to screw around the neck; a tamper-evident ring, which is annular, which is located between the external thread of the neck and the annular collar, which is connected by a tamper-evident link, preferably of the tab type, to the screw cap, so as to make the screw cap captive; an aroma diffuser, fixed in the bottom of the captive screw cap, and comprising a stack of successive layers: an aroma reservoir layer suitable for: containing at least one aroma, in liquid or solid form,alone or absorbed in an absorbent material, to, for at least part of the surface of the layer stack, or for at least half of the surface of the layer stack, or for the entire surface of the layer stack: diffuse this aroma in gaseous form out of the reserve layer, this aroma then being detectable by a human nose, while preventing water from entering this reserve layer and / or while preventing water that has entered this reserve layer from exiting this reserve layer carrying the aroma in liquid or solid form, to prevent this aroma from exiting the reserve layer in the form of, liquid or in solid form, the stacking of layers having a total thickness between 1mm and 10mm, or between 2mm and 5mm, the stacking of layers having a width or diameter between 5mm and 20mm, or between 7mm and 15mm.

[0018] The present invention thus makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks of known devices by providing a diffuser: - providing the consumer with a perceived flavour without the drawback of calories or the addition of any type of additives to the drinked content, thus allowing the best nutritional value according to the "Nutriscore" scale ("registered trademark"), - very simple to use on a standard water bottle, i.e., it can be opened / closed with little effort and few steps, - obeying an objective of sustainable and responsible development: that of achieving a simple manufacturing process for the invented diffuser, requiring no change or almost no change in the manufacturing process of the containers with which it will cooperate, in particular for water bottles, which will allow a standardization of the use of such a diffuser, i.e. an easier adoption by consumers, the industries concerned, and even regulators who see it as a dual issue of public health and of avoiding the multiplication of capsules with proprietary designs, and will thus confirm the desired objective of sustainable and responsible development.

[0019] According to preferred embodiments, the invention comprises one or more of the following features which can be used separately or in partial combination with each other or in total combination with each other, with any of the aforementioned objects of the invention.

[0020] Preferably, the aroma storage layer comprises the stacking of two sub-layers: a first sub-layer, suitable for containing this aroma, in liquid or solid form, alone or absorbed in an absorbent material, a second sub-layer, formed by a semi-permeable membrane which is permeable to gases, but impermeable to water or impermeable to liquids, and which is disposed on at least a part of the surface of the stack of layers, or on at least half of the surface of the stack of layers, or on the entire surface of the stack of layers, located, with respect to the first sub-layer, on the side opposite to the adhesive layer.

[0021] Thus, the aroma reservoir is in two parts, one part that contains the aroma and one part that protects the aroma from water. This two-part embodiment of the aroma reservoir is structurally slightly less simple but qualitatively more effective, in terms of protection against water and maintaining a long lifespan of the aroma in the diffuser.

[0022] Preferably, the first sub-layer is chargeable or rechargeable by immersion in an aroma solution, this aroma solution being preferably heated.

[0023] Thus, filling the aroma reservoir with its aroma is very efficient, even if the charging time can be relatively long. This charging time is shortened by heating the aroma solution.

[0024] Water impermeability does not preclude recharging with aroma solution by immersion, provided that: • Some materials, such as silicone, are selectively permeable to certain liquids but impermeable to other liquids (such as water), • Heating the solution can make certain materials temporarily permeable to heated liquids, • The aroma storage material can be recharged by first immersion, then covered with a waterproof layer. • the diffuser may have a waterproof layer on only one side, on one surface, the other sides or other surfaces remaining permeable to solutions, heated or not, of aroma.

[0025] Preferably, the first underlayer is essentially formed by a liquid-absorbing foam or by a liquid-absorbing sponge.

[0026] Thus, the essential or main material of the aroma reservoir, a foam or a sponge, is simple and inexpensive.

[0027] Preferably, the foam or sponge has slits on its periphery arranged so as to deform to fit the shape of a screw cap base of a disposable water bottle which has a capacity of between 0.2 and 2 liters and which includes a neck surrounded by a thread.

[0028] Thus, the installation of the diffuser at the bottom of the cap is facilitated.

[0029] Preferably, the second underlayer is a rubber membrane.

[0030] Thus, the level of protection against water is high, while also maintaining a high, therefore intense, rate of gaseous diffusion of the aroma in the form of a perfume to be smelled.

[0031] Preferably, the first sub-layer is tapered on the adhesive layer side to better fix itself in the bottom of a screw cap of a disposable water bottle which has a capacity of between 0.2 and 2 liters and which includes a neck surrounded by a thread.

[0032] Thus, the installation of the diffuser at the bottom of the cap is facilitated.

[0033] Preferably, the aroma reserve layer is formed by an absorbent material, which is suitable for containing this aroma in liquid or solid form, which allows the aroma it has absorbed to diffuse in gaseous form while forming a barrier to water or liquids, on at least part of the surface of the layer stack, or on at least half of the surface of the layer stack, or on the entire surface of the layer stack.

[0034] Thus, the aroma reservoir is a single piece that both contains the aroma and protects it from water. This embodiment of the aroma reservoir as a single piece is structurally somewhat simpler but qualitatively slightly less effective in terms of protection against water and maintaining a long lifespan for the aroma in the diffuser.

[0035] Preferably, the reserve layer is tapered on the side of the adhesive layer to better fix itself in the bottom of a screw cap of a disposable water bottle which has a capacity of between 0.2 and 2 liters and which includes a neck surrounded by a thread.

[0036] Thus, the installation of the diffuser at the bottom of the cap is facilitated.

[0037] Preferably, the reserve layer is chargeable or rechargeable by immersion in an aroma solution, this aroma solution being preferably heated.

[0038] Thus, filling the aroma reservoir with its aroma is very efficient, even if the charging time can be relatively long. This charging time is shortened by heating the aroma solution.

[0039] Preferably, the reserve layer is essentially formed: either by silicone, or by a porous ceramic, or by a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or by a polyurethane foam (PU Foam).

[0040] Thus, these materials achieve a good or relatively good compromise between all the required properties, and in particular the high rate of gas diffusion, good water impermeability, good flexibility to facilitate installation, and good recyclability (since the diffuser is a disposable element, with the standard bottle).

[0041] Silicone and porous ceramic will be used rather with an aroma reservoir in one part both containing the aroma and protecting the aroma contained against water, the silicone and porous ceramic forming the part having the dual function of being able to both contain the aroma and protect the aroma contained against water.

[0042] Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and polyurethane foam (PU Foam) will be used more with an aroma reservoir in two parts, one part which contains the aroma and one part which protects the aroma contained from water, the thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and the polyurethane foam (PU Foam) forming only the part which contains the aroma but not the part which protects the aroma contained from water.

[0043] Preferably, the aroma diffuser is in the shape of a disc which is either circular or crenellated.

[0044] Preferably, the periphery of the disc is less thick than the center of the disc.

[0045] Thus, the circular shape is structurally simpler, while the crenellated shape is more securely fixed to the bottom of the cap (because the deformable crenellated periphery can better conform to the cylindrical wall of the screw cap.

[0046] The tamper-evident ring refers to the European directive on single-use plastics, known as the "captive cap" (or captive cap) directive, which applies to all plastic bottle caps that must be attached to the bottle body from July 3, 2024. The objective of this regulation is to minimize the harmful effects of plastic on the environment. In this context, standardization of captive caps is planned, thus ensuring that the cap is collected and recycled with the bottle. To date, among the various captive cap solutions on the market, we find, in particular, caps attached to a base clipped under the threads (such as, for example, the "Rozanna" brand ("registered trademark")) and hinged "snap" caps (such as, for example, the "Cristalline" brand ("registered trademark")), which do not unscrew but open from the bottom up.

[0047] Preferably, the aroma is a fruity fragrance.

[0048] Thus, the sensation of drinking water becomes even more pleasant for the user.

[0049] Preferably, the aroma includes a component which has an effect of: either appetite suppression, taste desensitization, or taste re-education.

[0050] Thus, the simple act of drinking water can improve or even restore other sensations useful to the user. Preferably, the aroma comprises at least one component and / or at least one essential oil, of one or more of the following fragrances: peppermint, lemon, grapefruit, cinnamon, rosemary, clove, green mandarin, thyme.

[0051] Thus, the simple act of drinking water allows the user to experience other beneficial effects, beyond that of pleasure, at the cost of a very limited inhalation of essential oil vapor, instead of having to drink a few drops of this essential oil.

[0052] Taste receptors can only register five distinct tastes, whereas there are hundreds of types of olfactory receptors allowing the nose to perceive many more odors. However, drinking flavored water from a bottle does not involve direct olfaction, but only retronasal olfaction. The invention also overcomes this drawback.

[0053] The disposable water bottle is preferably a disposable mineral water bottle, in particular a plastic water bottle. The disposable plastic water bottle may be replaced, for example, by a disposable bioplastic water bottle, or by a disposable bamboo water bottle, or by a disposable PLA water bottle.

[0054] The disposable water bottle is preferably recyclable or at least partly recyclable.

[0055] The disposable water bottle is opposed, for example, to a constantly reusable water bottle.

[0056] Advantageously, the aroma may emanate from a substance contained in the diffuser's reservoir, known for its aromatic properties. The constituents or ingredients of the aromatizing material or substance contained in the aroma diffuser's reservoir will not be detailed hereafter. It should be understood, however, that the contents of this reservoir are not necessarily limited to a particular material, form, or phase; for example, the reservoir may contain ingredients in the form of solid granules, one or more gels, or one or more breakable capsules. The reservoir may also include another constituent that not only enhances the diffusion of an aroma but also, in particular, improves its preservation and / or aeration. Brief description of the drawings

[0057] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0058] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 schematically represents a side view of a device beverage comprising an aroma diffuser according to the invention.

[0059] [Fig.2] Fig.2 schematically represents a bottom view of a cap of a beverage device comprising an aroma diffuser according to the invention.

[0060] [Fig.3] Fig.3 schematically represents a profile view of a stack of layers of an aroma diffuser according to the invention, according to a first embodiment.

[0061] [Fig.4] Fig.4 schematically represents a profile view of a stack of layers of an aroma diffuser according to the invention, according to a second embodiment.

[0062] In the following description of embodiments of the invention, a container, for example a bottle, such as the one shown in the figure, is considered. In this figure, the bottle extends along a vertical axis Z, with the opening of the bottle and the diffuser according to the invention facing upwards. Thus, the "top" of the bottle is defined by its opening, on which the diffuser is to be mounted, and the bottom of the bottle is the portion opposite its opening.

[0063] Similarly, the term "internal surface" refers to the surface of a part directed towards the inside of the bottle, and likewise, the term "external surface" refers to the surface of a part directed towards the outside of the bottle, that is, in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of the inside of the bottle. Likewise, the term "horizontal axis" refers to the axes X and Y perpendicular to the principal axis Z along which the bottle extends from bottom to top.

[0064] Water bottles with a slightly shorter neck (17mm instead of 21mm), a steeper screw thread, and threads that only go around twice instead of three times around the neck of the bottle can also be used.

[0065] The space around the bottle is oriented in the orthogonal directions X, Y, Z, such that the Z direction is along the vertical axis which is also the axis of symmetry of the overall cylindrical bottle.

[0066] DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0067] Fig. 1 schematically represents a side view of a beverage device comprising an aroma diffuser according to the invention.

[0068] In [Fig.1], the drinking device includes a disposable water bottle 1, in particular a disposable plastic water bottle 1, with a capacity of between 0.2 and 2 liters.

[0069] This bottle 1 includes a neck 2 surrounded by a thread 20 for a screw cap 6 and by a collar 3 located below the thread 20 of the neck 2. This bottle 1 includes a screw cap 6, which has an internal thread 62 corresponding to the external thread 20 of the neck 2 allowing the cap 3 to screw around the neck 2.

[0070] A safety ring 4, which is annular, which is located between the external thread 20 of the neck 2 and the annular collar 3, which is connected by a safety link 5, preferably of the tab type 5, to the screw cap 6, so as to make the screw cap 6 impervious.

[0071] An aroma diffuser 7 is fixed in the base 60 of the captive screw cap 6. This aroma diffuser 7 comprises a stack of layers which will be described in connection with Figures 3 and 4.

[0072] The aroma diffuser 7 emits a gaseous aroma fragrance towards the orifice 9 of the neck 2 of the bottle 1, this fragrance being represented by the arrows 8.

[0073] Fig. 2 schematically represents a bottom view of a cap of a beverage device comprising an aroma diffuser according to the invention.

[0074] In [Fig. 2], the aroma diffuser 7 is fixed in the bottom of the cap 6, which it conceals and which is no longer visible in [Fig.2]. The cylindrical side wall 61 including the internal thread 62 surrounds the aroma diffuser 7.

[0075] Fig. 3 schematically represents a profile view of a stack of layers of an aroma diffuser according to the invention, according to a first embodiment.

[0076] The aroma diffuser 7 comprises a stack of successive layers: • a reserve layer of 71 aroma, • an adhesive layer 72.

[0077] The aroma reserve layer 71 is capable of containing at least one aroma, in liquid or solid form, alone or absorbed in an absorbent material.

[0078] This reserve layer 71 is also suitable for, for at least a part of the surface S of the layer stack, or for at least half of the surface S of the layer stack, or for the entire surface S of the layer stack: • to diffuse this aroma in gaseous form out of the reserve layer 71, this aroma then being detectable by a human nose, • while preventing water from entering this reserve layer 71 and / or while preventing water that has entered this reserve layer 71 from leaving this reserve layer 71 and carrying away the aroma in liquid or solid form, that is to say: • either the reserve layer 71 is sufficiently impermeable to water so that, while the user drinks the contents of the bottle, water does not substantially enter this reserve layer 71, and does not substantially deteriorate or reduce the amount of flavor available in the reserve layer 71, for example by less than 10%, or for example by less than 5%, compared to the initial amount of flavor in the reserve layer 71, • either the reserve layer 71 is relatively impermeable to water so that, while the user drinks the contents of the bottle, some water may enter this reserve layer 71, but so little water enters this reserve layer 71, and does not leave the reserve layer carrying aroma with it, so that the water entering and leaving the reserve layer 71 does not deteriorate or substantially reduce the amount of aroma available in the reserve layer 71, for example by less than 10%, or for example by less than 5%, compared to the initial amount of aroma in the reserve layer 71, • and to prevent this aroma from leaving the reserve layer 71 in liquid or solid form (this is to prevent the aroma from leaving on its own, without the help of water).

[0079] The adhesive layer 72 allows the aroma diffuser 7 to be fixed, by simple pressure of a human finger, in the bottom 60 of a captive screw cap 6 connected by a safety ring 4 to a disposable water bottle 1 which has a capacity between 0.2 and 2 liters and which includes a neck 2 surrounded by a thread 20.

[0080] The adhesive layer is found to be stuck against the bottom 60 of the plug 6, that is to say the bottom 60 of the cavity formed by the plug 6.

[0081] The stack of all the layers 71-72 has a total thickness E of between 1 mm and 10 mm, or between 2 mm and 5 mm. The stack of all the layers 71-72 has a diameter D of between 5 mm and 20 mm, or between 7 mm and 15 mm.

[0082] Figure 4 schematically represents a side view of a stack of layers of an aroma diffuser according to the invention, according to a second embodiment.

[0083] The composition of the aroma diffuser 7 is similar to the aroma diffuser 7 of [Fig.3], except for the reserve layer 71 which comprises the stacking of two sub-layers 74 and 75.

[0084] The first sub-layer 74 is suitable for containing this aroma, in liquid or solid form, alone or absorbed in an absorbent material.

[0085] The second sublayer 75 is formed by a semi-permeable membrane 75 that is permeable to gases but impermeable to water or liquids, and that is disposed over at least a portion of the surface S of the layer stack, or over at least half of the surface S of the layer stack, or over the entire surface S of the layer stack. The second sublayer 75 is located, relative to the first sublayer 74, on the side opposite the adhesive layer 72.

Claims

1. Demands Beverage system, including: a disposable water bottle (1), in particular a disposable plastic water bottle (1) with a capacity of between 0.2 and 2 litres, comprising: • a collar (2), • surrounded by a thread (20) for a screw cap (6), • and by a collar (3), located below the thread (20) of the neck (2), • a screw cap (6), • which has an internal thread (61) corresponding to the external thread (20) of the neck (2) allowing the cap (6) to screw around the neck (2), • a safety ring (4), • which is annular, • which is located between the external thread (20) of the neck and the annular collar (3), • which is connected by a safety link (5), preferably of the tab type (5), to the screw cap (6), so as to make the screw cap (6) captive, an aroma diffuser (7), fixed in the bottom of the captive screw cap (6), and comprising a stack of successive layers: • a reserve layer (7) of suitable aroma: • to contain at least one flavoring, in liquid or solid form, alone or absorbed in an absorbent material, • to, for at least part of the surface (S) of the layer stack, or for at least half of the surface (S) of the layer stack, or for the entire surface (S) of the layer stack: • diffuse this aroma in gaseous form out of the reserve layer (7), this aroma being able to

2. then to be detected by a human nose • while preventing water from entering this reserve layer (7) and / or while preventing water that has entered this reserve layer (7) from leaving this reserve layer (7) and carrying away the aroma in liquid or solid form, • to prevent this aroma from escaping from the reserve layer (7) in liquid or solid form, • the stacking of layers having a total thickness (E) between 1mm and 10mm, or between 2mm and 5mm, • the stacking of layers having a width or diameter (D) between 5mm and 20mm, or between 7mm and 15mm. Beverage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: • the aroma reserve layer (7) comprises the stacking of two sublayers: • a first sublayer (74), • suitable for containing this aroma, in liquid or solid form, alone or absorbed in an absorbent material, • a second sublayer (75), • formed by a semi-permeable membrane (75) which is permeable to gases, but impermeable to water or impermeable to liquids, and which is disposed on at least a part of the surface (S) of the stack of layers, or on at least half of the surface (S) of the stack of layers, or on the whole surface (S) of the stack of layers, • located, with respect to the first sublayer (74), on the side opposite an adhesive layer (72).

3. Beverage device according to claim 2, characterized in that the first sublayer (74) is chargeable or rechargeable by immersion in an aroma solution, this aroma solution being preferably heated.

4. Beverage device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first sublayer (74) is essentially formed by a liquid-absorbing foam or by a liquid-absorbing sponge.

5. Drinking device according to claim 4, characterized in that the foam or sponge has slits on its periphery arranged so as to deform to fit the shape of a screw cap base (6) of a disposable water bottle (1) which has a capacity of between 0.2 and 2 liters and which includes a neck (2) surrounded by a thread (20).

6. Drinking device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the second sub-layer (75) is a rubber membrane.

7. Drinking device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the first sub-layer (74) is tapered on the side of the adhesive layer to better fix itself in the bottom of a screw cap (6) of a disposable water bottle (1) which has a capacity of between 0.2 and 2 liters and which includes a neck (2) surrounded by a thread (20).

8. Beverage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: • the aroma storage layer (7) is formed by an absorbent material, • which is capable of containing this aroma in liquid or solid form, • which allows the aroma it has absorbed to diffuse in gaseous form while forming a barrier to water or liquids, • on at least a part of the surface (S) of the layer stack, or on at least half of the surface (S) of the layer stack, or on the entire surface (S) of the layer stack.

9. Drinking device according to claim 8, characterized in that the reserve layer (7) is tapered on the side of the adhesive layer (72) to better fix itself in the bottom of a screw cap (6) of a disposable water bottle (1) which has a capacity of between 0.2 and 2 liters and which includes a neck (2) surrounded by a thread (20).

10. Beverage device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the reserve layer (7) is chargeable or rechargeable by immersion in an aroma solution, this aroma solution being preferably heated.

11. Drinking device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: • the reserve layer (7) is essentially formed: • either by silicone, • or by a porous ceramic, • or by a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), • or by a polyurethane foam (PU Foam).

12. Beverage device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The aroma diffuser (7) is disc-shaped and is: • either circular, • either crenellated.

13. Drinking device according to claim 12, characterized in that the periphery of the disc is less thick than the center of the disc.

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