DRINKING DEVICE AND DRINKING CUP

Abstract

A drinking device consists of a drinking straw (12) with an inner flow channel (32) and a drinking end (18) as well as a scent container (20) connected to the drinking straw (12) to add a scent substance to an airflow flowing out of the scent container (20).The aroma container comprises at least one air outlet opening (40) which is in flow connection either with at least one aroma inlet opening (42) within the inner flow channel (32) of the drinking straw or with an aroma channel (38) extending to the drinking end (18) of the drinking straw (12), wherein the aroma container (20) can be coupled to the drinking straw (12) in such a way that, when negative pressure is applied to the drinking end (18) of the drinking straw at a nozzle (14) connected to the drinking end (18) of the drinking straw (12), airflow exits the aroma container through at least one air outlet opening (40), and the aroma container comprises an aroma chamber (44) containing a carrier substance (46) for an aroma substance, wherein the carrier substance (46) preferably has a specific flow resistance of less than 500 Pa·s / m.

Description

DRINKING DEVICE AND DRINKING CUP FIELD OF INVENTION The invention relates to a drinking device as well as a drinking cup with said drinking device. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is a growing need for potable liquids that, on the one hand, have a pleasant taste, but on the other hand, avoid the health risks that could be caused by ingesting fragrances or stabilizing agents dissolved in the drinking liquid. The intake of an increased number of calories will also be avoided. Water with a light fruity fragrance has become very popular in recent years. However, unwanted additives, such as stabilizers and a certain amount of sugar, are also present in this flavored water. Many consumers avoid such beverages simply because of the calorie count and dental hygiene concerns. Because the sense of smell plays a significant role in taste perception when consuming food and beverages, drinking systems to date have attempted to influence the perceived odor while drinking. To this end, aroma elements are proposed that can be placed near the drinking opening of a drinking glass so that the aroma element is in immediate proximity to the user's nose, who breathes through their nose while drinking and thus perceives the aroma. A drinking device for retronasal ingestion of an aroma substance, comprising an aroma container through which air can flow and which supplies aromatized air to a liquid-drinking channel, is known from WO 2019 / 016096 A1. In this way, the aroma substance is ingested retronasally. During the drinking process, the aroma substance reaches the user's mouth along with the drinking liquid and subsequently travels retronasally through the pharynx to the olfactory mucosa, where it is detected by receptors located there and perceived by the user. The device takes advantage of the close correlation between the senses of smell and taste. The user then receives the impression of tasting the aroma, even though they are in fact only smelling it retronasally. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention is based on the objective of proposing a drinking device for adding an aroma substance, which saves space and can be used in a variety of ways. This objective is achieved through a drinking device with the features of claim 1 as well as a drinking glass with the features of claim 20. Preferred modalities are apparent from the other claims. The drinking device, according to the invention, consists of a drinking straw and a flavor container. The drinking straw has an internal flow channel and a drinking end. The flavor container, for supplying a flavoring substance to an airflow flowing out of the flavor container, is fixedly, movably, or detachably connected to the drinking straw. The flavor container comprises at least one air outlet opening, which is in flow connection either with at least one flavor inlet opening within the internal flow channel of the drinking straw or with a flavor channel extending to the drinking end of the drinking straw.The aroma container is adapted to be coupled with the drinking straw in such a way that, when negative pressure is applied to the drinking end of the drinking straw or to a nozzle accommodated at the drinking end of the drinking straw, airflow exits the aroma container through at least one air outlet opening. The aroma container comprises an aroma chamber containing a carrier substance for an aroma substance. The carrier substance preferably has a specific flow resistance of less than 500 Pa·s / m, particularly preferably less than 400 Pa·s / m, and more preferably approximately 380 Pa·s / m. As soon as there is negative pressure during the drinking process either at the mouthpiece or the drinking end of the drinking straw, there is also enough negative pressure at the end of the aroma channel as well as at the outlet of the aroma container to allow airflow through the aroma container. The drinking device according to the invention can then be designed in a variety of ways. The aroma container can be accommodated in the drinking straw in such a way that the aromatized airflow exiting at least one air outlet opening of the aroma container enters the inner flow channel of the drinking straw through at least one aroma inlet opening, and the user can ingest the drinking liquid provided with the aromatized airflow either directly into the drinking end of the drinking straw or through an additional nozzle attached to the drinking end. Alternatively, a user can ingest the drinking liquid through the inner flow channel of the drinking straw and the aromatized airflow through an aroma channel provided separately from the inner flow channel.In this regard, the aroma channel can be provided in the drinking straw separately from the internal flow channel or it can be connected to the aroma container. In the latter case, the drinking straw can be a conventional drinking straw that does not need to have an aroma inlet opening within the internal flow channel. Alternatively, the aroma container and a nozzle accommodated at the drinking end of the drinking straw can be configured together. In this case, the aromatized airflow does not run in or parallel to the drinking straw's internal flow channel, but rather is fed into the drinking liquid downstream in the nozzle region or runs parallel to the drinking liquid's flow chamber at the nozzle. It is essential that the aroma container comprises an aroma chamber containing a carrier substance for the aroma substance that is released into the air when air flows through the aroma container. The preferred carrier material has a specific flow resistance of less than 500 Pa·s / m, particularly less than 400 Pa·s / m, and ideally approximately 380 Pa·s / m. In this case, according to the conventional definition, the ratio of the pressure difference before and after a layer of material to the air velocity flowing through it is called the specific flow resistance. The flow resistance is measured according to DIN EN ISO 9053-1 on a test specimen of the carrier material. The airflow velocity is determined as a function of the pressure difference across the test specimen.In numerous tests, the preferred flow resistance has proven to be particularly convenient for causing good flow through the carrier substance in the aroma chamber of the aroma container, but it also allows for good enrichment of the airflow flowing through the aroma container and improved aroma development when using the aroma container with a drinking straw. All the variants described above have in common that the aromatized airflow is not released into the ambient air, to act orthonasally on a user, but rather is ingested orally by the user during the drinking process so that the aromatized air can be perceived retronasally and the sensory impression of a taste perception of the liquid to be drunk can be created. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aroma container can be moved relative to the drinking straw, preferably along a longitudinal direction of the drinking straw, between an activated position and a non-activated position, wherein only in the activated position is at least one air outlet opening in flow connection with at least one aroma inlet opening and the aroma channel. The movement of the aroma container between the inactive and active positions extends its service life because it prevents unintentional evaporation when not in use. This movement can be performed by the user, allowing the drinking device according to the invention to also hold unflavored drinking liquid. In the simplest case, the movement of the aroma container, which is preferably in a longitudinal direction of the drinking straw, can establish or interrupt a flow connection between the air outlet opening of the aroma container and the aroma inlet opening of the drinking straw or an inlet opening in the aroma channel of the drinking straw. Preferably, the aroma container includes the mouthpiece. In this case, the aroma container is mounted on the drinking end of the drinking straw and includes the mouthpiece for the user, who can then orally ingest the provided drinking liquid with a flow of aromatized air or, by means of two separate transport channels that terminate at the mouthpiece end, orally ingest pure drinking liquid and aromatized air simultaneously. Providing an aroma container with a mouthpiece has the advantage that, when the aroma container is replaced, a user can intuitively reassemble the drinking device correctly. When separate flow channels are provided for the drinking liquid and the aromatized airflow, it is also possible to use a conventional drinking straw with the device. According to a first preferred alternative embodiment, the drinking straw has a separate aroma channel, distinct from the flow channel and terminating at the drinking end of the straw. Alternatively, however, the aroma container may also comprise the aroma channel. However, it is particularly preferable, when providing separate flow channels for the drinking liquid and transport channels for the aromatized airflow, to configure the aroma channel between a first boundary wall surrounding the inner flow channel of the drinking straw and a second boundary wall formed by the aroma container. In this way, the drinking device with separate flow channels can be configured with minimal material usage. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drinking device further comprises a sealing element which extends around the drinking straw and is convenient to be mounted on drinking cups of different diameters. The drinking device's design, featuring a sealing element, makes it particularly suitable for carrying without the beverage in the external drinking cup. Providing a sealing element that can be mounted on drinking cups of varying diameters increases the device's versatility, as the user can utilize it with different drinking cups. In this respect, it has proven to be a particularly convenient configuration for designing the sealing element as a rotationally symmetric, continuously tapered, or stepped tapered component. Thus, regardless of the diameter of the opening at the top of the drinking vessel, the sealing element can be fitted to the vessel in a sealed manner, provided the vessel has a round opening and the diameter of that opening falls within the diameter range of the rotationally symmetric component of the sealing element. A continuously tapered component can be positioned over any opening diameter, or, in the case of a stepped tapered component, an annular stepped component in the region where the stepped tapered component rests on the upper edge of the drinking vessel. According to an alternative design, the sealing element can be an elastic sealing grommet. Such sealing grommets, for example made of a silicone material, are commonly used for airtight sealing cups of various sizes. The elastic sealing grommet is stretched over the upper rim of the drinking cup and rests elastically against the side wall or walls of the drinking cup at the level of the upper rim. Although providing the aforementioned rotationally symmetric, continuously conical, or stepped conical element is only suitable for drinking cups with a circular opening cross-section, if the sealing element is provided in the form of an elastic sealing grommet, a drinking cup with other cross-sectional shapes, for example a square cross-section, can be sealed at the top in the same way. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drinking straw can be split lengthwise. This configuration has the advantage that the drinking straw can be easily cleaned by splitting it into two U-shaped portions that can be cleaned separately, for example, under running water. According to a preferred, alternative embodiment, the drinking straw has a film hinge extending lengthwise and can be opened lengthwise. This feature also simplifies cleaning the drinking straw by allowing it to be opened, making the inner walls of the straw easily accessible. Preferably, the drinking straw has a plurality of predetermined bending points. In this way, regardless of the geometry of a drinking glass, a drinking straw of standardized length can be used. Another advantage is that the drinking device according to the invention can be transported more safely since unintentional pressure on the drinking straw, for example, in a bag during transport, does not result in damage to the straw, because the bending points allow the drinking straw to avoid the action of a force or adapt to a non-flat contact surface. Furthermore, the drinking straw with predetermined bending points can be transported in a particularly space-saving manner. Alternatively, according to an additional preferred embodiment, it is also possible to configure the drinking straw to be elastically deformable. Therefore, no predetermined bending points are provided in defined positions; instead, the drinking straw has sufficient overall elastic deformation so that the risk of unintentional damage, for example, from hitting the drinking straw, can be minimized. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drinking device according to the invention further comprises a weight provided at the opposite end in the longitudinal direction to the drinking end of the drinking straw, which has a bearing surface for resting on the inner bottom of a drinking glass. Adding a weight has the advantage that the drinking straw always stays at the bottom of the drinking glass. In the case of a rigid drinking straw, this can also prevent the drinking device from tilting over the drinking glass. According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the drinking straw has a receptacle for the aroma container, into which the aroma container can be inserted. In other words, an adapter is already permanently provided on the drinking straw, into which the aroma container can be inserted. In this way, first, the aroma container can be activated by exposing the air outlet opening only when it is placed in the receptacle, and second, it can also be secured by the geometry of the receptacle and the complementary geometry of the aroma container to which the aroma container is connected in the correct functional arrangement relative to the drinking straw. Ideally, the drinking straw comprises a first longitudinal section and a second longitudinal section, where the flavor container can be attached between the first and second longitudinal sections of the drinking straw. Therefore, the flavor container acts as a coupling element between the first and second longitudinal sections of the drinking straw. This configuration is easy for the user to understand, so that when the flavor container is replaced when it is empty or a different flavor is desired, it can be easily swapped. The coupling geometry between the drinking straw and the flavor container can also be used to activate the flavor container. In this regard, it may be convenient to configure the aroma container in a way that the receiving area for the drinking straw is designed in a conical shape so that drinking straws with different outer diameters can be used together with an aroma container. According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the aroma container is mounted on the drinking straw, preferably attached, wherein the aroma container comprises a suitable penetration element for penetrating the drinking straw when the aroma container is mounted on a drinking straw and creating the aroma inlet opening. In this way, the aroma container can be used with a conventional drinking straw because the drinking straw does not already have a pre-existing aroma inlet opening before mounting the aroma container. Another advantage is that, because the aroma inlet opening is created when mounting the aroma container, precise placement of the aroma container is not required. The penetration element also has the function of securing the position of the aroma container on the drinking straw. Ideally, the internal flow channel of a drinking straw has a narrowed cross-section in the region of the aroma inlet. This narrowing creates a Venturi effect. In the constricted area, the dynamic pressure is at its maximum, while the hydrostatic pressure is at its minimum. Furthermore, the flow velocity of the drinking liquid increases in this area. The constriction then reduces the pressure in the internal flow channel, creating a suction effect that draws the aroma-infused air from the aroma container. The invention further relates to a drinking vessel comprising a bottom and at least one side wall extending upwards from the bottom and enclosing a volume for receiving drinking liquid, as well as a drinking device according to the invention. Preferably, the drinking vessel is configured such that the drinking straw of the drinking device is permanently connected to a side wall of the drinking vessel, wherein the side wall of the drinking vessel preferably directly limits the internal flow channel. In this way, the drinking device according to the invention can be permanently integrated into a drinking vessel. Depending on the intended use, the aroma chamber may also have at least one air inlet in addition to the air outlet. This configuration is only avoided if, when the drinking device is used as intended in a drinking glass, the aroma container is immersed in the liquid. However, if the aroma container is located at the drinking end of the device or if it is fitted with a mouthpiece, an air inlet facilitates airflow through the aroma container and allows for better enrichment of the airflow with the aroma substance. In these configurations without an air inlet in the aroma container, the pressure is equalized by ambient air flowing back into the aroma container through the air outlet as soon as the outlet is not blocked by the surrounding liquid. If the aroma container is positioned in the drinking straw so that it sits within the liquid in a drinking glass, the drinking straw is also filled with liquid at least to the level of the liquid in the drinking glass. In this way, the aroma container's air outlet can be closed because the aromatized air cannot escape, and at the same time, due to the small size of the air outlet and the associated capillary effect, no liquid enters the aroma container.In this way, the drinking device can remain in the drinking cup filled with liquid during use without unwanted loss of aroma substance because aromatized air escapes from the air outlet opening of the aroma container only during the drinking process. Preferably, in addition to the carrier substance, a headspace is also provided in the aroma chamber between the carrier substance and a wall of the aroma container that seals the chamber. Providing a headspace improves the mixing of the aromatized air within the aroma container. The aroma substance can consist of numerous chemical compounds, whose mass transfer behavior differs from that of the carrier substance in the aroma container's headspace. Different transport rates of different chemicals can occur, and different aromatization compositions can exist within the aroma chamber, which can then be homogenized within the headspace. Preferably, a nonwoven fabric is provided as a carrier material, which has high air permeability, ideally not below 200 L / (m²s). At the same time, the air permeability of the nonwoven fabric at a differential pressure of 100 Pa should preferably not exceed 500 L / (m²s). The reason for this is that if the air permeability is too high, there is a risk of preferential flow paths forming within the nonwoven fabric, such that the airflow exiting the aroma container would already have an insufficient degree of aromatization long before the aroma substance is actually exhausted. Furthermore, the most suitable geometry of the carrier material, as well as the size of the headspace, may vary depending on the individual aroma substances.Different aroma substances have different chemical structures influencing their behavior with reference to mass transfer and flow properties so that a separate optimization process can be carried out for each individual flavor in order to achieve an optimal taste experience. Preferably, the thickness of the carrier substance with reference to the height of the aroma chamber is at least 50% and preferably at least 80% the height between a lower wall and an upper wall of the aroma container. Ideally, the aroma container has an essentially annular geometry so that it can be accommodated around the drinking straw, resulting in a weight distribution that is perceived as particularly comfortable by the user. In this respect, the geometry of the aroma container can deviate from a perfectly circular shape, however, to interact with a complementary drinking straw in a way that allows for only one radial orientation of the aroma container relative to the drinking straw, thus defining the exact radial position of the aroma container relative to the drinking straw. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES In the following figures, the invention will be described, simply by way of example, through different embodiments. The figures show the following: Figure 1a and Figure 1b are a drinking device according to the invention in the activated and non-activated states; Figure 2 is a drinking device in which the aroma container cannot be deactivated; Figure 3a is a possible configuration of the receiving area for the drinking straw in the aroma container in an exploded view and a partial sectional view; Figure 3b and Figure 3c show the use of the drinking device according to Figure 3a with drinking straws having different diameters; Figure 4a and Figure 4b are an exploded view as well as an assembled view of an additional modality of the drinking device according to the invention; Figure 5a and Figure 5b are an additional embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention in an exploded view and in the assembled state; Figure 5c is a cross-sectional view of the drinking device according to Figure 5b; Figure 6 and Figure 6a are an additional embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention as well as a detailed view; Figure 7a and Figure 7b are an exterior view and a cross-sectional view of an additional embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention; Figure 8 and Figure 8a are an exterior view and a cross-sectional view along section plane AA of a further embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention; Figure 9a and Figure 9b are an additional embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention as well as a drinking cup; Figure 10a and Figure 10b are an additional embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention as well as a drinking cup; Figure 11a, Figure 11b and Figure 11c are an additional embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention as well as a drinking cup; Figure 12a, Figure 12b and Figure 12c are a possible design of the drinking straw in two different configurations as well as a cross-sectional view; Figure 13a and Figure 13b are an additional embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention, as well as the drinking cup; Figure 14a and Figure 14b are an additional embodiment of the drinking device according to the invention, as well as the drinking cup; Figure 15a, Figure 15b and Figure 15c are a possible configuration of the drinking straw in the closed state (Figure 15a), partially open state (Figure 15b) as well as in a detailed view (Figure 15c); Figure 16a, Figure 16b and Figure 16c are a possible additional configuration of the drinking straw in the closed state (Figure 16a), partially open state (Figure 16b) as well as in a detailed view (Figure 16c); Figure 17 is a possible additional configuration of the drinking device according to the invention in a drinking cup; and Figure 18 is a drinking cup with an integrated drinking device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the following exemplary modalities, the same elements will be designated with the same reference numbers. With reference to Figures 1a, 1b, and 2, a basic structure of the drinking device 10 according to the invention is described. The drinking device 10 consists of a drinking straw 12, an aroma container 20, and an optional nozzle 14, which may also be present in the following embodiments, if required. The nozzle 14 defines the drinking end for the user. The drinking straw 12 is inserted into a drinking liquid in a conventional manner, and by sucking on the nozzle 14, the liquid is drawn through an internal flow channel by the drinking straw 12 upwards in the direction of and through the nozzle 14. The drinking device further comprises a flavor container 20 which includes, as described later by means of Figure 5c, a flavor chamber containing a carrier substance for a flavoring substance or a mixture of several flavoring substances. During the drinking process, the flavor container 20 releases air flavored with the flavoring substance, i.e., as will be explained below by means of several examples, either introduced into the inner flow channel of the drinking straw 12 or conveyed in a separate flavor channel in the direction to the nozzle 14. At the nozzle 14, the flavored air can either flow back into the liquid flow channel or can be directed in a separate flow channel to the mouth end 28 of the nozzle 14. However, if there are separate flow channels for the drinking liquid and the flavored air, then it is important that nozzle 14 be configured in such a way that both the drinking liquid and the flavored air are ingested orally during the drinking process. In the process illustrated in Figure 2, the aroma container is permanently connected to the drinking device 10 and is always in an activated state in which aromatized air can be released from the aroma container. To extend the service life of the drinking device 10 according to the invention, it may be convenient if the drinking device is configured in such a way that the aroma container 20 can be moved between an activated position and a deactivated position. For this purpose, the aroma container 20, which extends essentially annularly around the drinking straw 12 in the exemplary embodiment according to Figures 1a and 1b, can be moved by a rotary motion between an activated position and a deactivated position or, as illustrated in the specific exemplary embodiment according to Figures 1a and 1b, can be changed in the longitudinal direction by changing the drinking straw 12 in a longitudinal direction between the deactivated position illustrated in Figure 1a and the activated position illustrated in Figure 1b.Only in the activated position is an air outlet provided in an aroma container aligned with an aroma inlet opening either in the inner flow channel of the drinking straw 12 or in a separate aroma channel, whereas in the non-activated position, the air outlet of the aroma container is closed. To provide haptic feedback to the user regarding the movement between the activated and deactivated positions, a fixed stop 16 is provided on the drinking straw 12, against which the aroma container is moved when it is in the deactivated position. A stop 30 is also provided on the mouthpiece, which limits the movement to the activated position. In this way, the user can activate the aroma container by simply moving it between the two stop positions. Compared to the drinking device illustrated in Figure 2, with an aroma container that is always in an activated state, the option to activate the aroma container not only has the advantage of an extended service life but also allows the device to be used in the deactivated state, for example, when drinking pure liquid. Figures 3a, 3b and 3c illustrate an alternative embodiment of the drinking device 10 which consists, in the present case, of an aroma container 20 with an integrated nozzle 14 into which a conventional drinking straw 12 can be inserted. Furthermore, it is preferred if a conical receiving area 22 is provided in the aroma container, which serves to receive the drinking end 18 of the drinking straw 12. Due to the conical receiving area 22, the aroma container according to figure 3a can be used with drinking straws 12a, 12b of different diameters, as illustrated in figures 3b and 3c. In the configuration of the drinking device 10 according to figure 3a, a conventional drinking straw 12 can be used because the aromatized air from the aroma container 20 is supplied in the nozzle area 14 and therefore it is not necessary to use the drinking straw 12 with a defined aroma inlet opening specifically accommodated in the inner flow channel of the drinking straw. Figures 4a and 4b illustrate a further alternative embodiment of the drinking device 10 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the aroma container 20 is located between the partial portions 12-1 and 12-2 of the drinking straw. The embodiment according to Figures 4a and 4b is convenient because the exchange of the aroma container 20 is very simple and can be performed intuitively by a user. To this end, the aroma container 20 preferably deviates from a circular ring geometry. Because at least the inner opening of the aroma container does not have a circular geometry, the two portions 12-1 and 12-2 of the drinking straw, each of which is provided with coupling elements 24, can only be inserted in a defined orientation relative to the aroma container 20. The two coupling elements 24 can be configured in such a way that they not only extend across the 1 inner opening in the annular aroma container 20, but can also be inserted into each other in a fluid-tight manner to provide a flow-tight connection between partial portions 12-1 and 12-2 of the drinking straw, while also providing the correct orientation relative to the aroma container 20 and the air outlet opening of the aroma container is exactly aligned relative to an aroma inlet opening within one of the coupling elements 24. The configuration shown in Figures 4a and 4b has the advantage that not only can one aroma container 20 be easily replaced with another, but the drinking straw can also be cleaned. Of course, it is also possible in the configuration shown in Figures 4a and 4b to attach a nozzle to the drinking end of the drinking straw 12-1. In the embodiment according to Figures 5a, 5b, and 5c, the aroma container 20 does not extend around the drinking straw 12, but is inserted into a receptacle 26 in the drinking straw 12, thereby placing the drinking device 10 in the operational state. For this purpose, the aroma container 20 illustrated in Figure 5a is inserted into the receptacle 26 in the direction of arrow A, resulting in a drinking device ready for use according to Figure 5b. Through a convenient complementary shaping of the receptacle 26 and the geometry of the aroma container 20, it can be ensured that the aroma container is exactly positioned to release the scented air. The aroma container 20 can be mounted in the receptacle 26 by securing it with a suction cup or by any other method. For example, the aroma container can be anchored, quick-release screwed on, or mounted using a bayonet lock. Other accessories such as mandrels, Velcro strips, or even rubber bands can also be used. Figure 5c illustrates a possible configuration of the drinking device 10 according to Figure 5b. In this configuration, the drinking straw 12 has an internal flow channel 32 through which, as in a conventional drinking straw, the drinking liquid is drawn by the user in the direction of the drinking end 18 of the drinking straw 12. In addition to the bowl-shaped outer wall 34 illustrated in Figures 5a and 5b, the receptacle 26 for the aroma container 20 also has an inner wall 36 in which an aroma channel 38 is located. This channel is in flow connection with the air outlet opening 40 in the aroma container and is also in flow connection with the aroma inlet opening 42 in the drinking straw 12, which opens into the internal flow channel 32 of the drinking straw 12. As further illustrated in Figure 5c, an aroma chamber 44 is located within the aroma container, which contains a carrier substance 46 that does not completely fill the aroma chamber 44. In this respect, in the illustrated annular geometry of the aroma container 20, the carrier substance 46 cannot fully extend around the annular aroma chamber 44, but can be configured in a U-shape, for example, which facilitates the automatic insertion of the carrier substance into the aroma chamber during aroma production. Because the carrier substance 46 does not completely fill the aroma chamber 44, an air-filled headspace 48 is created within the aroma chamber 44, in which the aroma substance, consisting of several chemical compounds, can be mixed and homogenized. The geometry of the aroma container illustrated in Figure 5c does not have a circular ring shape so that the aroma container can only be inserted in a defined position relative to the receptacle 26, where there is a flow connection between the aroma container and the inner flow channel 32 of the drinking straw 12. The carrier substance has a specific flow resistance of less than 500 Pas / m and preferably less than 400 Pas / m, and more preferably approximately 380 Pa s / m to feed a sufficient amount of flavored air into the inner flow channel 32 of the drinking straw 12 during conventional use of the drinking straw 12 by the user. The embodiment according to Figures 6 and 6a, which illustrates, in an enlarged view, the area at the drinking end of the drinking straw according to Figure 6, is an alternative configuration of the drinking device according to the invention, in which, in contrast to what was illustrated in the sectional view in Figure 5c, the aroma channel 38 does not open through an aroma inlet opening within the inner flow channel 32 of the drinking straw, but is conducted parallel to it to the drinking end 18 of the drinking straw 12. For this purpose, parallel to the inner flow channel 32, an aroma channel 38 is provided through which aromatized air is drawn in during the drinking process and is orally ingested. Furthermore, Figure 6a illustrates an air inlet opening 50, through which air enters the aroma container 20. In the general annular configuration of the aroma container 20, the air inlet opening 50 is positioned opposite the air outlet opening 40 to ensure that the air flowing through the aroma container has to travel a sufficient distance before it exits the aroma container again through the air outlet opening 40 in a sufficiently aromatized state. The embodiment according to Figures 7a and 7b is essentially identical to the embodiment according to Figures 6 and 6a. However, in the configuration according to Figures 7a and 7b, the aroma channel 38 is part of the aroma container 20 that slides over the drinking straw 12 until it abuts the stop 52 provided permanently on the drinking straw, which ensures that the aroma channel 38 of the aroma container terminates at the drinking end 18 of the drinking straw 12. The design according to Figure 7b results in a double wall in the area between the inner flow channel 32 and the aroma channel 38. However, this double wall can also be removed, as illustrated in the embodiment according to Figures 8 and 8a. In the embodiment according to Figure 8, the aroma container 20 also slides onto the drinking straw 12. In this embodiment, the aroma channel 38 is formed between the wall 54 surrounding the inner flow channel 32 of the drinking straw 12 and the wall 56 of the aroma container 20. In the configuration according to figure 8, the aroma container can be designed to be very small and lightweight, which not only results in a better overall aesthetic impression, but also prevents the drinking straw from falling into a drinking glass or at least makes it more difficult. In the embodiments according to Figures 9a to 16c, the aroma container or a possible nozzle are not shown because additional properties of the drinking device according to the invention will be illustrated here. However, it should be clear that in all these embodiments, an aroma container and optionally a nozzle are also provided. In the embodiment according to Figures 9a and 9b, the drinking device 10 according to the invention is illustrated in a drinking cup 100. The drinking device 10 has a sealing element 58 which is fixedly connected to the drinking straw 12 and, in the configuration according to Figures 9a and 9b, consists of a rotatably symmetric body having several steps 60 around its circumference. As illustrated by the examples in Figures 9a and 9b, the sealing element 58 can be fitted snugly in drinking cups with different opening sizes because the stepped sealing element 58 is automatically centered on a drinking opening of the drinking cup 100. The modality according to figures 10a and 10b differs from the modality according to figures 9a and 9b simply in that the sealing element 58 has a conical geometry and can therefore rest glued on the drinking opening 60, without regard to the size of the circular drinking opening of the drinking glass 100. The embodiments according to Figures 9a, 9b, 10a, and 10b are particularly suitable for drinking cups with a circular drinking opening geometry 60. The embodiment illustrated in Figures 11a, 11b, and 11c is more versatile and can be used with drinking cups with a circular drinking opening as well as those with various drinking opening geometries. For this purpose, the elastic sealing element 62 is permanently attached to the drinking straw 12 and consists, for example, of elastic latex material that can be stretched over the drinking opening of drinking cups of various shapes and also seals them hermetically at the top.If the elastic sealing element 62 has a corresponding elasticity, it can be placed around the upper edge of the drinking glass 100 with a correspondingly high elastic tension so that the liquid cannot escape from the drinking glass 100 even in the case of a strong movement. Figures 12a, 12b, and 12c illustrate a drinking straw 12 that can be bent because it has a plurality of predetermined bend points 64, preferably at regular intervals. By bending the drinking straw, as illustrated in Figure 12c, at several of the predetermined bend points 64, it can be fitted to drinking cups of different geometries. The configuration shown in Figures 13a and 13b illustrates an additional possible configuration of the drinking straw 12. Unlike the configuration shown in Figure 12a, this straw is flexible and can be shaped as desired. Alternatively, the drinking straw can be configured to fit the drinking cup 100 into a desired shape. To do this, the user simply applies pressure to the drinking straw 12 in the direction of arrow B, causing it to bend and remain in this position, as illustrated in Figure 13b. Without considering the embodiment according to Figures 13a and 13b with a flexible drinking straw, a weight 66 may be provided on the drinking straw, which may also be present in all other embodiments. The weight is provided with a bearing surface 68 so that the weight remains flat on the bottom 70 of the drinking device 100. The weight has the function of holding the drinking straw deep in the liquid inside the drinking cup 100, and additionally it may be used to rigidly receive the end of the drinking straw facing away from the drinking end so that the drinking straw does not rest against a side wall 72 of the drinking cup 100 and remains vertical, so to speak, in the drinking cup. The use of a weight 66 with a rigid drinking straw is illustrated, by way of example, in Figures 14a and 14b. The rigid drinking straw 12 is held in the drinking cup without tilting. Figures 15a, 15b, and 15c show a drinking straw 12 that can be divided into two parts 12a and 12b. For this purpose, the two U-shaped elements 12a and 12b are inserted into each other via a convenient tongue-and-groove connection and moved against each other in the longitudinal direction. The divisible drinking straw, as shown in Figures 15a through 15c, has the advantage of being easier to clean. As an alternative to the drinking straw modality consisting of two partial elements, as illustrated in Figures 15a, 15b, and 15c, the drinking straw may also have a film hinge 74 and may have a tongue-and-groove connection point in the longitudinal direction so that the drinking straw can be opened and the wall limiting the inner flow channel can be easily cleaned. In the embodiment according to Figure 17, a drinking straw 12 is illustrated which has a tapered portion 78 in which the aroma container 20 is located. The tapered portion 78 fixes the position of the aroma container 20 in the longitudinal direction of the drinking straw 12. In addition, a Venturi effect is created during the drinking process, in which - as described at the beginning - a suction effect is created in the reduced portion 78 which serves to draw aromatized air from the air outlet opening 40 and through the aroma inlet opening 42 from the aroma container 20 into the interior of the internal flow channel 32 of the drinking straw 12. The essentially annular aroma container surrounding the drinking straw can be opened via a film hinge so that it can be attached around the reduced portion 78 of the drinking straw 12. Alternatively, the reduced portion can be located only in the area of ​​the inner flow channel, while the outer contour is not reduced there, so that an aroma container with a circular ring-shaped cross-section can be slid over the drinking straw in the longitudinal direction. The embodiment according to Figure 18 differs from the embodiment according to Figure 17 in that the drinking cup 100 according to the invention is integrally formed with the drinking device 10. The inner flow channel 32 is formed between a side wall 72 of the drinking device and the wall 54 of the drinking straw such that the drinking device 10 is a fixed component of the drinking cup 100. If the drinking cup is also tightly sealed with a lid (not shown), the drinking cup can also be tilted without the drinking liquid leaking from the drinking straw. The embodiment according to Figure 18 with an integral configuration of the drinking straw and drinking cup is based, by way of example, on the design of drinking device 10 according to Figure 17. However, it should be clear that the drinking device 10 formed integrally with the drinking cup 100 can also be obtained in many of the previous embodiments of drinking device 10. The same applies to the arrangement of a nozzle, which can also be provided in all embodiments. An unillustrated configuration provides an essentially annular aroma container that can be opened into two housings by means of a film hinge and has a cannula-shaped portion, pointed in the area of ​​the air outlet opening, which can be closed around a drinking straw. The protruding cannula-shaped portion penetrates the wall of the drinking straw 12 and creates the flow connection between the aroma chamber and the inner flow channel of the drinking straw. This embodiment has the advantage that the aroma container can be used with conventional drinking straws whose outer diameter can be adjusted.By closing the aroma container and penetrating the outer wall of the drinking straw, not only is the flow connection created between the aroma chamber and the inner flow channel of the drinking straw, but the aroma container is also fixed in position relative to the drinking straw. List of reference numbers for drinking device, drinking straw, drinking straw end cup, aroma container, conical receiving area, coupling element, receptacle, drinking end of the nozzle, nozzle stop, inner flow channel, outer wall of receptacle, inner wall of receptacle, aroma channel, air outlet opening, aroma inlet opening, aroma chamber, carrier substance 48 headspace 50 air inlet opening 52 stop 54 drinking straw wall 5 56 aroma container wall 58 conical sealing element 60 drinking opening 62 elastic sealing element 64 default bend point 10 66 weight 68 bearing surface 70 bottom 72 side wall 74 film hinge 15 76 tongue-and-groove connection point 78 reduced portion 100 drinking cup.

Claims

1. A drinking device, characterized in that it comprises - a drinking straw (12) with an inner flow channel (32) and a drinking end (18); and - an aroma container (20) fixedly or detachably connected to the drinking straw (12) for adding an aroma substance to an airflow flowing out of the aroma container (20); wherein - the aroma container (20) comprises at least one air outlet opening (40) which is in flow connection either with at least one aroma inlet opening (42) within the inner flow channel (32) of the drinking straw (12) or with an aroma channel (38) extending to the drinking end (18) of the drinking straw (12);wherein - the aroma container (20) is adapted to be coupled with the drinking straw (12) in such a way that, when negative pressure is applied to the drinking end (18) of the drinking straw (12) or when negative pressure is applied to a nozzle (14) connected to the drinking end (18) of the drinking straw (12), airflow exits the aroma container (20) through at least one air outlet opening (40); and - the aroma container (20) comprises an aroma chamber (44) containing a carrier substance (46) for an aroma substance, wherein the carrier substance (46) preferably has a specific flow resistance of less than 500 Pa s / m and particularly preferably less than 400 Pa s / m, and more preferably approximately 380 Pa s / m.

2. The drinking device according to claim 1, further characterized in that the aroma container (20) can be moved relative to the drinking straw, preferably along a longitudinal direction of the drinking straw (12), between an activated position and a non-activated position, wherein only in the activated position is at least one air outlet opening (40) in flow connection with at least one aroma inlet opening (42) or aroma channel (38).

3. The drinking device according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that the aroma container (20) comprises the nozzle (14).

4. The drinking device according to claim 3, further characterized in that the aroma container (20) has a conical receiving area (22) for attaching the drinking straw (12).

5. The drinking device according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the drinking straw (12) comprises the aroma channel (38) which is provided separately from the inner flow channel (32) and terminates at the drinking end (18) of the drinking straw (12).

6. The drinking device according to any of claims 1 to 4, further characterized in that the aroma container (20) comprises the aroma channel (38).

7. The drinking device according to any of claims 1 to 4, further characterized in that the aroma container (20) is formed between a first boundary wall (54) surrounding the inner flow channel (32) of the drinking straw (12) and a second boundary wall (56) formed by the aroma container.

8. The drinking device according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a sealing element (58, 62) in the drinking straw (12), which extends around the drinking straw (12) and is convenient to be mounted on drinking cups (100) of different diameters.

9. The drinking device according to claim 8, further characterized in that the sealing element is a rotatably symmetric, continuously conical or stepped conical element (58).

10. The drinking device according to claim 8, further characterized in that the sealing element is an elastic sealing eyelet (62).

11. The drinking device according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the drinking straw (12a, 12b) can be split in the longitudinal direction.

12. The drinking device according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the drinking straw (12) has a film hinge (74) which extends in the longitudinal direction and can be opened in the longitudinal direction.

13. The drinking device according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the drinking straw (12) has a plurality of predetermined bending points (64).

14. The drinking device according to any of claims 1 to 12, further characterized in that the drinking straw (12) is elastically deformable.

15. The drinking device according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a weight (66) at the opposite end in the longitudinal direction to the drinking end (18) of the drinking straw (12), which has a bearing surface (68) for resting on the inner bottom (70) of a drinking cup (100).

16. The drinking device according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the drinking straw (12) has a receptacle (26) for the aroma container (20), into which the aroma container can be inserted.

17. The drinking device according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the drinking straw (12) comprises a first longitudinal portion (12-1) and a second longitudinal portion (12-2), wherein the aroma container (20) can be attached between the first longitudinal portion (12-1) and the second longitudinal portion (12-2) of the drinking straw (12).

18. The drinking device according to any of claims 1 to 16, further characterized in that the aroma container (20) is mounted on the drinking straw (12), preferably attached, wherein the aroma container (20) comprises the penetration element convenient for penetrating the drinking straw (12) when the aroma container is mounted on a drinking straw (12) and creating the aroma inlet opening (42).

19. The drinking device according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the inner flow channel (32) of the drinking straw (12) in some areas has a narrowing of the cross section (78) in line with the aroma inlet opening (42).

20. A drinking vessel, characterized in that it comprises - a bottom (70) and at least one side wall (72) extending upwards from the bottom and limiting a volume for receiving drinking liquid; and - a drinking device (10) in accordance with any of the preceding claims.

21. The drinking cup according to claim 20, further characterized in that the drinking straw (12) of the drinking device (10) is fixedly connected to the side wall (72) of the drinking cup (100), wherein preferably a side wall (72) of the drinking cup (100) directly limits the inner flow channel (32) in some areas.

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