Aroma diffuser for disposable water bottle

Abstract

The invention relates to an aroma diffuser, which is capable of: containing at least one aroma, in liquid or solid form; diffusing this aroma in gaseous form, while preventing water from entering the reserve diffuser (7) and / or while preventing water that has entered this diffuser (7) from exiting this diffuser (7) carrying the aroma in liquid or solid form; preventing this aroma from exiting the reserve diffuser (7) in liquid or solid form; and having a compromise between size and elasticity determined so as to: allow the diffuser (7) to fit into a disposable plastic water bottle (1), and ensure that the diffuser (7), once inside this water bottle (1), cannot exit this water bottle (1), the density of the entire diffuser (7) being strictly less than 1. 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 [Fig. 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 four 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 combined sale of the complete bottle (with its cap) on the one hand and the tablet already fixed in the cap's capsule makes the entire beverage device particularly expensive and inconvenient to use, because one drinks water with the carbonated flavor of the aroma sold with the bottle and no other, and once the aroma is exhausted, one must throw away the entire bottle, the cap, and the aroma tablet. • In this respect, the other embodiment, that of Figure 2, with the aroma ring 10 simply slipped around the neck of the bottle, appears less expensive and more flexible in use, because once the aroma of the ring 10 is exhausted, one could consider, even if this is not provided for in US patent 5635229, simply replacing the ring of aroma 10 while keeping the same bottle and its cap, but the intrinsic lifespan of such an aroma permanently located outside the bottle and continuing to unnecessarily diffuse its gaseous fragrance outwards even when the bottle is closed by the cap remains short, • Thirdly, the diameter of opening 42 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 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 greatly increase the diameter of the orifice 42, because this would result in a great increase in the diameter of the totally impermeable central protective disc 46, which in turn would reduce 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 to a narrow ring around the aroma disc 44, unless this totally impermeable central protective disc 46 is omitted and the lifespan of the aroma tablet 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, • Fourth, 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 four preceding disadvantages, and preferably then to improve the whole of These four disadvantages are addressed simultaneously with a simple and inexpensive structural solution, and the diffuser can be installed in the bottle even more simply and easily.

[0013] With the diffuser, advantageously in the shape of a pellet, according to the invention, combined 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 arranged around the neck of this standard bottle, the user will find in combination the following four advantages: • Firstly, the use of the specific design of the captive cap on the standard water bottle, to place the aroma diffuser inside the bottle, 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 ecological but the disadvantage of being less practical for the water drinker, without modifying it, or almost without modifying it, to obtain a second advantage: housing an aroma diffuser, allowing the water drinker to directly smell the aroma without any additional gesture or effort other than drinking. The structure and arrangement of the captive screw cap make it perfectly suited to housing the aroma diffuser. • Secondly, the combination of the standard water bottle with a wide range of separately sold diffusers offering different fragrances, • Since the standard water bottle can also be used independently (to drink water!), there is no longer a need to sell the fragrance diffuser with the water bottle, and therefore the owner of a standard water bottle can add the fragrance diffuser of their choice to it afterward (i.e., after purchasing the standard water bottle). • Third, the water outlet diameter, that is, the diameter of the opening that determines the water flow rate out of the standard bottle, can become larger, even much larger, and 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 of the diffuser, or at the very least to prevent water that would have entered the diffuser from coming out carrying 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. • Fourth, if the user drinks intermittently, that is to say from time to time just a few quick sips and then closes the bottle each time, which corresponds to regular hydration and is recommended for health, the fragrance will still be intense, because the reserve of gaseous perfume which will have diffused in the upper part not filled with water of the closed bottle, will spurt towards the user's nose when he opens 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 diffuser is located inside 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] Moreover, the installation of the diffuser in the body of the bottle, consisting simply of passing it through the neck of the bottle to make it fall into the water and float on the water contained in the bottle, is particularly simple and easy.

[0016] The invention proposes another approach to solving this problem. The invention proposes an aroma diffuser whose arrangement, shape, and structure make it directly usable with a commercially available mineral water bottle, without No adaptation of the shape or structure of the mineral water bottle is required, as the aroma is released 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] To this end, the invention proposes an aroma diffuser, comprising an aroma reservoir plate which has two faces and a slice between the two faces and which is capable of: containing at least one aroma, in liquid or solid form, alone or absorbed in an absorbent material; diffusing this aroma in gaseous form out of the reservoir plate, this aroma then being detectable by a human nose, through at least part of one or both faces of this plate, or through at least half of one or both faces of this plate, or through the entire surface of one or both faces of this plate, while preventing water from entering this reservoir plate and / or while preventing water that has entered this reservoir plate from exiting this reservoir plate carrying the aroma in liquid or solid form, through all surfaces of both faces and the slice of the plate.to prevent this aroma from escaping the reservoir plate in liquid or solid form, and presenting a compromise between size and elasticity which is determined so as to present: on the one hand, sufficiently high elasticity combined with a sufficiently small size, so that the diffuser can enter a disposable plastic water bottle, with a capacity between 0.2 and 2 liters, through the neck of this water bottle, with the cap of this water bottle removed, with the simple pressure of a human finger, and on the other hand, sufficiently low elasticity combined with a sufficiently large size, so that the diffuser, once inside this water bottle, cannot escape from this water bottle, under the sole force of a flow of water from this water bottle, when this water bottle is turned upside down, with the cap of this water bottle removed, the density of the whole diffuser being strictly less than 1,or less than or equal to 0.99, or less than or equal to 0.95, so that the diffuser floats on the water regardless of its orientation relative to the water surface. The water then flows out through the outlet in the neck of the bottle.

[0019] To this end, the invention also proposes a method for installing an aroma diffuser according to the invention in a disposable water bottle having a capacity of between 0.2 and 2 liters and comprising a neck surrounded by a thread with a captive screw cap, characterized in that it comprises the following step(s) performed by the user of the aroma diffuser: preferably a step of unscrewing the screw cap to open the bottle, a step of inserting and pushing the diffuser into the neck of the bottle until the diffuser passes through this neck and reaches the body of the bottle, preferably a step of screwing the screw cap onto the thread of the neck of the bottle, to close the bottle.

[0020] Thus, the installation of the diffuser in the bottle is on the one hand generally very simple and easy and on the other hand it can be carried out a priori by almost any type of user of the water bottle.

[0021] To this end, the invention also 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, placed in the body of the bottle, and comprising two faces and a slice between the two faces and which is capable of: containing at least one aroma, in liquid or solid form, alone or absorbed in an absorbent material,to diffuse this aroma in gaseous form out of the reservoir plate, this aroma then being detectable by a human nose, through at least part of one or both faces of this plate, or through at least half of one or both faces of this plate, or through the entire surface of one or both faces of this plate, while preventing water from entering this reservoir plate and / or while preventing water that has entered this reservoir plate from exiting this reservoir plate carrying the aroma in liquid or solid form, through all surfaces of both faces and the edge of the plate, to prevent this aroma from exiting the reservoir plate in liquid or solid form, and exhibiting a compromise between size and elasticity which is determined so as to present: on the one hand, sufficiently high elasticity combined with a sufficiently small size,so that the diffuser can enter a disposable plastic water bottle, with a capacity between 0.2 and 2 liters, through the neck of this water bottle, the cap of this water bottle being removed, with simple pressure from a human finger, and on the other hand, sufficiently low elasticity combined with a sufficiently large size, so that the diffuser, once entered this water bottle, cannot come out of this water bottle, under the sole force of a flow of water out of this water bottle, when this water bottle is turned upside down, the cap of this water bottle being removed, the density of the whole diffuser being strictly less than 1, or less than or equal to 0.99, or less, or equal to 0.95, so that the diffuser floats on the water regardless of the orientation of the diffuser relative to the water surface.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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 one or the other of the aforementioned objects of the invention.

[0024] Preferably, the aroma storage plate comprises: an inner plate, comprising two faces and a slice between the two faces, suitable for containing this aroma, in liquid form by absorbing it or in solid form by retaining it inside the inner plate, an outer coating, completely covering the inner plate by covering both faces and the slice of the inner plate, formed by a semi-permeable coating that is permeable to gases but impermeable to water or impermeable to liquids.

[0025] 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 for the aroma in the diffuser.

[0026] Preferably, the inner plate is essentially formed by a liquid-absorbing foam or by a liquid-absorbing sponge.

[0027] Thus, the essential or main material of the aroma reservoir, a foam or a sponge, is simple and inexpensive.

[0028] Preferably, the external coating is a rubber coating.

[0029] 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.

[0030] Preferably, the inner plate is essentially formed by a porous material retaining solid particles.

[0031] Thus, the shelf life of the diffuser before use and the lifespan of the aroma in the diffuser during use are both increased.

[0032] Preferably, the aroma storage plate comprises a material that is: suitable for containing this aroma, in liquid form by absorbing it or in solid form by retaining it inside the storage plate, semi-permeable by being permeable to gases but impermeable to water or impermeable to liquids.

[0033] Thus, the aroma reservoir is a single unit which both contains the aroma and protects the aroma from water. This embodiment of the aroma reservoir as a single unit 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.

[0034] Preferably, the reserve plate is essentially formed: either by silicone, or by a porous ceramic, or by a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or by a polyurethane foam (PU Foam).

[0035] 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).

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] Preferably, the aroma reservoir plate comprises: an internal empty cavity, suitable for containing this aroma, in liquid or solid form, an external wall, completely surrounding the internal empty cavity, semi-permeable by being permeable to gases but impermeable to water or impermeable to liquids.

[0039] Thus, storing the aroma in its reservoir is made simpler, but since the outer wall on which all the mechanical stress is exerted is thinner, the diffuser may be mechanically a little less robust.

[0040] Preferably, the aroma reservoir plate has a non-circular shape:

[0041] Thus, the diffuser has, compared to a circular shape, a better compromise of ease of handling, because it is both easier to insert into the bottle through the neck of the bottle while being less likely to come out of the bottle through the neck of the bottle when the user drinks the water from the bottle by turning the bottle upside down (the bottom of the bottle then being higher than the neck of the bottle).

[0042] Preferably, the aroma reservoir plate has a shape that is: either cross-shaped, star-shaped, square, triangular, or diamond-shaped.

[0043] Thus, the diffuser, compared to a circular shape, presents a better compromise in terms of ease of handling, because it is both easier to insert into the bottle through the neck of the bottle while being less likely to come out of the bottle through the neck of the bottle when the user drinks the water from the bottle by turning the bottle upside down (the bottom of the bottle then being higher than the neck of the bottle).

[0044] Preferably, a mechanism for adjusting the intensity of diffusion in gaseous form of the aroma, adjustable by the user before introducing the diffuser into the water bottle, is integrated into the diffuser.

[0045] Thus, the user can customize the setting of the intensity of gaseous diffusion of the aroma from the diffuser towards the neck of the bottle.

[0046] Preferably, the reserve plate is chargeable or rechargeable by immersion in an aroma solution, this aroma solution being preferably heated.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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, there are 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.

[0050] Preferably, the aroma is a fruity fragrance.

[0051] Thus, the sensation of drinking water becomes even more pleasant for the user.

[0052] Preferably, the aroma includes a component which has an effect of: either appetite suppression, taste desensitization, or taste re-education.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] The disposable water bottle is preferably a disposable mineral water bottle, in particular a plastic water bottle. The disposable plastic water bottle can be replaced, for example, by a disposable bioplastic water bottle, or by a disposable bamboo water bottle, or by a disposable PLA water bottle.

[0057] The disposable water bottle is preferably recyclable or at least partly recyclable.

[0058] The disposable water bottle is opposed, for example, to a constantly reusable water bottle.

[0059] 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

[0060] 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.

[0061] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 schematically represents a side view of a device beverage comprising an aroma diffuser according to the invention.

[0062] [Fig.2] Fig.2 schematically represents a profile view of an aroma diffuser according to the invention, according to a first embodiment.

[0063] [Fig.3] Fig.3 schematically represents a profile view of an aroma diffuser according to the invention, according to a second embodiment.

[0064] [Fig.4] Fig.4 schematically represents a side view of an aroma diffuser according to the invention, according to a third embodiment.

[0065] [Fig.5] Fig.5 schematically represents a top view of an aroma diffuser according to the invention, according to a fourth embodiment.

[0066] [Fig.6] Fig.6 schematically represents a top view of an aroma diffuser according to the invention, according to a fifth embodiment.

[0067] 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.

[0068] Similarly, the term "internal surface" refers to the surface of a part directed towards the inside of the bottle, and similarly, 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT MODES OF THE INVENTION

[0072] Fig. 1 schematically represents a side view of a beverage device comprising an aroma diffuser according to the invention.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] An aroma diffuser 7 floats freely on the surface of the water 11 contained in the body 10 of the bottle 1. The internal structure of the aroma diffuser 7 will be described in connection with Figures 2 to 4. The external shape of the aroma diffuser 7 will be described in connection with Figures 5 and 6.

[0077] The aroma diffuser 7 is formed by a reserve plate 7 which includes two faces 76 and 77 and a slice 78 between the two faces 76 and 77.

[0078] This aroma reservoir plate 7 is suitable for: • to contain at least one flavoring, in liquid or solid form, alone or absorbed in an absorbent material, • to diffuse this aroma in gaseous form outside of this aroma reserve plate 7, this aroma then being able to be smelled by a human nose, by at least a part of one face 76 or 77 or both faces 76 and 77 of this plate 7, or by at least half of one face 76 or 77 or both faces 76 and 77 of this plate, or by the whole surface of one face 76 or 77 or both faces 76 and 77 of this plate 7, while preventing water from entering this reserve plate 7 and / or while preventing water that has entered this reserve plate 7 from leaving this reserve plate 7 carrying away the aroma in liquid or solid form, by all surfaces of both faces 76 and 77 and of the edge of the plate 7, • to prevent this aroma from escaping from the reserve plate 7 in liquid or solid form.

[0079] This aroma reservoir plate 7 presents a compromise between size and elasticity which is determined so as to present: • on the one hand, sufficiently high elasticity combined with a sufficiently small size, so that the diffuser 7 can fit into a disposable plastic water bottle 1, with a capacity between 0.2 and 2 liters, through the neck 2 of this water bottle 1, the cap 6 of this water bottle 1 being removed, by simple pressure of a human finger, • and on the other hand, sufficiently low elasticity associated with a sufficiently large size, so that the diffuser 7, once entered into this bottle 1 of water, cannot come out of this bottle 1 of water, under the sole force of a flow of water out of this bottle 1 of water, when this bottle 1 of water is turned upside down, the cap 6 of this bottle 1 of water being removed.

[0080] The water then flows through the outlet 9 of the neck 2 of the bottle 1.

[0081] The density of the entire diffuser 7 is strictly less than 1, or less than or equal to 0.99, or less than or equal to 0.95, so that the diffuser 7 floats on the water 10 regardless of the orientation of the diffuser 7 with respect to the surface of the water 11 in the body 10 of the bottle 1.

[0082] The largest dimension L1 of the diffuser 7 is larger than the internal diameter DI of the neck 2 of the bottle 1.

[0083] 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.

[0084] Figure 2 schematically represents a side view of an aroma diffuser according to the invention, according to a first embodiment.

[0085] The aroma diffuser 7 is formed by an aroma reservoir plate 7 which includes: • an internal plate 74, comprising two faces 81 and 82 and a slice 83 between the two faces 81 and 82, suitable for containing this flavoring in liquid form by absorbing it or in solid form by retaining it inside the inner plate 74, • an external coating 75 completely covering the internal plate 74 by covering both faces 81 and 82 and the edge 83 of the internal plate 74, this external coating 75 being formed by a semi-permeable coating which is permeable to gases but impermeable to water or impermeable to liquids.

[0086] The largest dimension L1 of the reserve plate 7 is shown in [Fig. 2]. The reserve plate 7 has a thickness E which is the smallest dimension of this reserve plate 7.

[0087] Fig. 3 schematically represents a side view of an aroma diffuser according to the invention, according to a second embodiment.

[0088] The aroma diffuser 7 is formed by an aroma reservoir plate 7 which includes: • an internally empty cavity 84, suitable for containing this aroma, in liquid or solid form, • an external wall 85, completely surrounding the internal void cavity 84, semi-permeable by being permeable to gases but impermeable to water or impermeable to liquids.

[0089] The largest dimension L1 of the reserve plate 7 is shown in [Fig. 3]. The reserve plate 7 has a thickness E which is the smallest dimension of this reserve plate 7.

[0090] Fig. 4 schematically represents a side view of an aroma diffuser according to the invention, according to a third embodiment.

[0091] The aroma diffuser 7 is formed by an aroma reservoir plate 7 which includes a material 79 which is suitable for containing this aroma, in liquid form by absorbing it or in solid form by retaining it inside the reservoir plate 7, and which is semi-permeable by being permeable to gases but impermeable to water or impermeable to liquids.

[0092] Figure 5 schematically represents a top view of an aroma diffuser according to the invention, according to a fourth embodiment.

[0093] The aroma diffuser 7, as well as the reserve plate 7 which forms it, has in top view a cross shape of larger dimension L1 which is larger than the internal diameter DI (visible on [Fig.1]) of the neck 2 of the bottle 1. The top view is in the plane perpendicular to the thickness E (visible on figures 2 to 4) of the reserve plate 7.

[0094] Figure 6 schematically represents a top view of an aroma diffuser according to the invention, according to a fifth embodiment.

[0095] The aroma diffuser 7, as well as the reserve plate 7 which forms it, has in top view a triangular shape of larger dimension L1 which is larger than the internal diameter DI (visible on [Fig.1]) of the neck 2 of the bottle 1. The top view is in the plane perpendicular to the thickness E (visible on figures 2 to 4) of the reserve plate 7.

Claims

Demands

1. Aroma diffuser, comprising an aroma reservoir plate (7) which includes two faces (76, 77) and a slice (78) between the two faces (76, 77) and which is suitable for: • to contain at least one flavoring, in liquid or solid form, alone or absorbed in an absorbent material, • to diffuse this aroma in gaseous form outside the reservoir plate (7), this aroma then being detectable by a human nose, • by at least part of one face (76, 77) or both faces (76, 77) of this plate (7), or by at least half of one face (76, 77) or both faces (76, 77) of this plate (7), or by the entire surface of one face (76, 77) or both faces (76, 77) of this plate (7), • while preventing water from entering this reservoir plate (7) and / or while preventing water that has entered this reservoir plate (7) from leaving this reservoir plate (7) and carrying away the aroma in liquid or solid form, • by all surfaces of both faces (76, 77) and the edge (78) of the plate (7), • to prevent this aroma from escaping from the reservoir plate (7) in liquid or solid form, and presenting a compromise between size and elasticity which is determined in such a way as to present: • on the one hand, sufficiently high elasticity combined with a sufficiently small size, • so that the diffuser (7) can fit into a disposable plastic water bottle (1) with a capacity between 0.2 and 2 liters, through the neck (2) of this water bottle (1), the cap (6) of this water bottle (1) having been removed, • with the simple pressure of a human finger, • and on the other hand, sufficiently low elasticity associated with a sufficiently large size, • so that the diffuser (7), once entered into this bottle (1) of water, cannot come out of this bottle (1) of water, • under the sole force of a flow of water out of this bottle (1) of water, when this bottle (1) of water is turned upside down, the stopper (6) of this bottle (1) of water being removed, • the density of the whole of the diffuser (7) being strictly less than 1, or less than or equal to 0.99, or less than or equal to 0.95, so that the diffuser (7) floats on the water regardless of the orientation of the diffuser (7) with respect to the surface of the water.

2. Aroma diffuser according to claim 1, characterized in that: • the aroma reservoir plate (7) comprises: • an inner plate (74), comprising two faces (81, 82) and a slice (83) between the two faces (81, 82), capable of containing this aroma, in liquid form by absorbing it or in solid form by retaining it inside the inner plate (74), • an outer coating (75), • completely covering the inner plate (74) by covering the two faces (81, 82) and the slice (83) of the inner plate (74), • formed by a semi-permeable coating which is permeable to gases but impermeable to water or impermeable to liquids.

3. Aroma diffuser according to claim 2, characterized in that the internal plate (74) is essentially formed by a liquid-absorbing foam or by a liquid-absorbing sponge.

4. Aroma diffuser according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the outer coating (75) is a rubber coating.

5. Aroma diffuser according to claim 2, characterized in that the internal plate (74) is essentially formed by a porous material retaining solid particles.

6. Aroma diffuser according to claim 1, characterized in that: • the aroma reservoir plate (7) comprises a material which is: • suitable for containing this aroma, in liquid form by absorbing it or in solid form by retaining it inside the reservoir plate (7), • semi-permeable by being permeable to gases but impermeable to water or impermeable to liquids.

7. Aroma diffuser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: • the reservoir plate (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).

8. Aroma diffuser according to claim 1, characterized in that: • the aroma reservoir plate (7) comprises: • an internal empty cavity (84), suitable for containing this aroma, in liquid or solid form, • an external wall (85), • entirely surrounding the internal empty cavity (84), • semi-permeable by being permeable to gases but impermeable to water or impermeable to liquids.

9. Aroma diffuser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aroma reservoir plate (7) has a non-circular shape.

10. Aroma diffuser according to the preceding claim, characterized in that: • the aroma reserve plate (7) has a shape which is: • either cross, • or star, • or square, • or triangle, • or diamond.

11. Aroma diffuser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a mechanism for adjusting the intensity of diffusion in gaseous form of the aroma, adjustable by the user before introduction of the diffuser (7) into the bottle (1) of water, is integrated into the diffuser (7).

12. Aroma diffuser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reservoir plate (7) is chargeable or rechargeable by immersion in an aroma solution, this aroma solution being preferably heated.

13. Method of installing an aroma diffuser (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, in a disposable water bottle (1) having a capacity of between 0.2 and 2 liters and comprising a neck (2) surrounded by a thread (20) with a captive screw cap (6), characterized in that it comprises the following step(s) carried out by the user of the aroma diffuser: • preferably a step of unscrewing the screw cap (6) to open the bottle (1), • a step of inserting and pushing the diffuser (7) into the neck (2) of the bottle (1) until the diffuser (7) passes through this neck (2) and reaches the body (10) of the bottle (1), • preferably a step of screwing the screw cap (6) onto the thread (20) of the neck (2) of the bottle (1) to close the bottle (1).

14. Beverage device, comprising: 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 (62) 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 (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 render the screw cap (6) captive, an aroma diffuser, placed in the body (10) of the bottle (1), and comprising two faces (76, 77) and a slice (78) between the two faces (76, 77) and which is suitable for: • to contain at least one flavoring, in liquid or solid form, alone or absorbed in an absorbent material, • to diffuse this aroma in gaseous form outside the reservoir plate (7), this aroma then being detectable by a human nose, • by at least part of one face (76, 77) or both faces (76, 77) of this plate (7), or by at least half of one face (76, 77) or both faces (76, 77) of this plate, or by all the surface of one face (76, 77) or both faces (76, 77) of this plate (7), while preventing water from entering this reservoir plate (7) and / or while preventing water that has entered this reservoir plate (7) from leaving this reservoir plate (7) carrying away the aroma in liquid or solid form, • by all surfaces of both faces (76, 77) and the edge (78) of the plate (7), to prevent this aroma from escaping from the reservoir plate (7) in liquid or solid form, and presenting a compromise between size and elasticity which is determined in such a way as to present: • on the one hand, sufficiently high elasticity combined with a sufficiently small size, • so that the diffuser (7) can be entered into a disposable plastic water bottle (1) with a capacity between 0.2 and 2 litres, through the neck (2) of this water bottle (1), the cap (6) of this water bottle (1) having been removed, • with the simple pressure of a human finger, • and on the other hand, sufficiently low elasticity combined with a sufficiently large size, • so that the diffuser (7), once it has entered this bottle (1) of water, cannot come out of this bottle (1) of water, • under the sole force of water flowing out of this water bottle (1), when this water bottle (1) is turned upside down, with the cap (6) of this water bottle (1) removed, the density of the whole diffuser (7) being strictly less than 1, or less than or equal to 0.99, or less than or equal to 0.95, so that the diffuser (7) floats on the water regardless of the orientation of the diffuser (7) with respect to the surface of the water.

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