Aroma diffuser for a disposable water bottle

Abstract

The invention relates to an aroma diffuser, comprising a stack of consecutive layers: an aroma reservoir layer (7) capable of containing at least one aroma, in liquid form or in solid form, alone or absorbed in an absorbent material, diffusing the aroma in gaseous form out of the reservoir layer (7), while preventing water from entering the reservoir layer (7) and / or while preventing water that has entered the reservoir layer (7) from leaving the reservoir layer and taking with it the aroma in liquid form or in solid form, and preventing the aroma from leaving the reservoir layer (7) in liquid form or in solid form; an adhesive layer (72); and a protective layer (73) for protecting the adhesive layer (72); the stack of layers having a total thickness (E) of between 1 mm and 10 mm, the stack of layers having a width or a diameter (D) of between 5 mm and 20 mm.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title: Aroma diffuser for disposable water bottle

[0003] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of bottles from which one can drink directly, i.e. of volume between 0.2 litres and 2 litres, and containing a non-alcoholic beverage.

[0005] TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In the realm of non-alcoholic beverages, the main options are water, fruit juices, and sodas. The challenge lies in reconciling two distinct, often contradictory, aspects: the consumer's taste and their health.

[0007] 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.

[0008] Water is excellent for your health, but many people find it too bland, whether still or sparkling. Fruit juices might seem like a good middle ground between sodas and water, striking a balance between taste and consumer health. But here again, the compromise is far from perfect, because either the amount of fruit juice is high, and the drink tastes good but is still too sweet, or the amount of fruit juice is low, and the drink becomes less harmful to your health but more bland.

[0009] However, the users' strong taste for fruits and fruit drinks actually comes essentially from the users' sense of smell detecting and savoring 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 retronasalization.

[0010] Thus, instead of giving the user fruit juice, if they are simply given water to drink while simultaneously smelling the fruit, a much better compromise can be achieved: their taste is almost as well satisfied, since the essential element of fruit detection, derived from smell, is successfully completed, while their health is entirely preserved because no sugar is ingested; only the fruit aroma is perceived. However, creating such a fruit-scented capsule that is simultaneously effective, healthy, and economically viable is not so simple, as demonstrated by the drawbacks of various prior art systems, especially when considering ease of use for the user and the stability of the capsule's positioning during use.

[0011] 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 inhales a carbonated fragrance diffused by the aroma pellet disposed in the cap.

[0012] In Figure 5 of US Patent 5635229, the cap shown comprises: On the one hand, a cylinder 36 with a small orifice 42 for water drainage 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 that can cover and close 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.

[0013] 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 fragrance from the aroma lozenge 38.

[0014] According to the invention, this prior art has four drawbacks: First, 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. Second, the combined sale of the complete bottle (with its cap) and the lozenge already fixed in the cap's capsule makes the entire beverage device particularly costly and inflexible, since one drinks water with the carbonated flavor of the aroma sold with the bottle and no other, and once the aroma is exhausted, the entire bottle, cap, and flavor lozenge must be thrown away. Therefore, 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, because once the aroma of the ring 10 is exhausted, one could consider...Even though it is not provided for in US patent 5635229, simply replacing the aroma ring 10 while keeping the same bottle and its cap is possible, the intrinsic lifespan of such an aroma, permanently located outside the bottle and continuing to unnecessarily diffuse its carbonated fragrance outwards even when the bottle is closed, remains short. Thirdly, the diameter of the orifice 42 is very small compared to the size of the bottle neck, which does not allow for drinking at a sufficiently high flow rate, especially when one is truly thirsty. While drinking slowly allows the carbonated fragrance ample time to diffuse around the neck of the bottle, drinking slowly can be very frustrating, especially when one is truly thirsty. Furthermore, according to the invention, it is observed that even if it were desired, it would be difficult and inconvenient to significantly increase the diameter of the orifice 42.because this would result in a significant increase in the diameter of the completely impermeable central protective disc 46, which in turn would reduce the diffusion surface of the gaseous fragrance by this absorbent material disc 44, containing the fragrance to be diffused as a gaseous fragrance, to a narrow ring around the aroma disc 44, unless this completely impermeable central protective disc 46 is omitted and the lifespan of the aroma pellet 44 is drastically reduced. Thus, in the structure of the beverage device of this prior art, it does not seem possible to reconcile both: on the one hand, a good flow rate of water through the orifice 42, for greedily drinking the water from the bottle,

[0015] • and on the other hand a good diffusion rate of the gaseous perfume of the aroma lozenge 44, to intensely breathe the perfume of this aroma, Fourthly, 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 recommended for health, the perfume will not necessarily have time to diffuse well around the neck of the bottle and the sensation of breathing the gaseous perfume of the aroma will be a little less intense.

[0016] OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The invention aims first to improve the overall compromise between the four previous disadvantages, and preferably then to improve all four of these disadvantages simultaneously with a simple and inexpensive structural solution.

[0018] 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 currently 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: First, the use of the particular arrangement of the captive cap on the standard water bottle, to place the aroma diffuser in the bottom of this captive cap, without any modification to either the standard water bottle or any modification, at least significant, to this captive screw cap, which allows the captive cap to be used,Having 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, is the ability to house 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 house the aroma diffuser. Secondly, the standard water bottle can be combined with a wide range of diffusers sold separately, 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 aroma diffuser with the water bottle, and therefore the owner of a standard water bottle can add the aroma diffuser of their choice afterward (i.e., after purchasing the standard water bottle). Thirdly,The water outlet diameter, that is, the diameter of the opening that determines the water flow rate from the standard bottle, can become larger, even much larger; it can even be simply the internal diameter of the neck of the standard water bottle, allowing for drinking water 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.

[0019] ■ By avoiding, or greatly reducing, contact between the water from the bottle and the inside of the diffuser containing the aroma, through the use of a material or layer of material that is impermeable or very impermeable to water, so as to prevent water from entering the diffuser and coming into contact with the aroma, or at the very least to prevent any water that might have entered the diffuser from leaving laden with aroma (the aroma being in solid or liquid form), which would otherwise significantly reduce the lifespan of the aroma diffuser by unnecessarily losing a substantial portion of the aroma contained within it. Fourthly, if the user drinks intermittently, that is, occasionally taking just a few quick sips and then closing the bottle each time, which corresponds to regular and recommended hydration, the fragrance will still be intense.because the reserve of gaseous perfume that will have diffused into the upper, unfilled part of the closed bottle will be released towards the user's nose when they open the bottle. Some of the aroma emitted in gaseous form by the aroma diffuser will have been stored inside the bottle, in fact inside the body of the bottle, as long as the bottle remains closed, because the bottom of the cap is in direct communication with the inside of the bottle body; indeed, there is no wall or element that prevents the perfume emitted by the diffuser located at the bottom of the cap from going into the inside of the bottle body.

[0020] The use, in conjunction with a standard bottle and its standard captive screw cap, of a part or layer of material that is both gas-permeable and impermeable or very slightly permeable to water, not only allows a high flow rate of beverage with a long aroma life, but also achieves this without modifying or hardly modifying the simple structure of the captive screw cap of a standard bottle, thus ultimately achieving a double qualitative improvement with a simple and inexpensive structure.

[0021] The invention offers an alternative approach to solving this problem. The invention provides an aroma diffuser whose design, shape, and structure allow for direct use with a commercially available bottle of mineral water, without any modification to the bottle's shape or structure. The aroma is released as the user drinks the water from the bottle. Thus, the aroma diffuser offers users simplicity and flexibility in its use, while also allowing them to save money.

[0022] 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.

[0023] To this end, the invention proposes an aroma diffuser, comprising a stack of successive layers: an aroma reservoir layer 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 from the reservoir layer over at least part of the surface of the stack of layers, or over at least half of the surface of the stack of layers, or over the entire surface of the stack of layers, this aroma being detectable by a human nose, while preventing water from entering this reservoir layer and / or while preventing water that has entered this reservoir layer from exiting this reservoir layer carrying the aroma in liquid or solid form; preventing this aroma from exiting the reservoir layer in liquid or solid form; and an adhesive layer, allowing the aroma diffuser to be fixed.by simple pressure of a human finger, in the bottom of a captive screw cap connected by a safety ring to a disposable water bottle which has a capacity of between 0.2 and 2 liters and which includes a neck surrounded by a thread, a protective layer of the adhesive layer, peelable by human fingers, the stack of layers having a total thickness of between 1mm and 10mm, or between 2mm and 5mm, the stack of layers having a diameter of between 5mm and 20mm, or between 7mm and 15mm.

[0024] To this end, the invention also proposes a method of installing an aroma diffuser according to any one of the preceding claims, in the bottom of a captive screw cap connected by a safety ring to a disposable water bottle having a capacity of between 0.2 and 2 liters and comprising a neck surrounded by a thread, characterized in that it comprises the following steps carried out by the user of the aroma diffuser: preferably a step of unscrewing the screw cap to open the bottle, a step of peeling off the protective layer of the adhesive layer, a step of gluing the diffuser in the bottom of the screw cap, when the cap is unscrewed, the adhesive layer of the diffuser then being pressed against the bottom of the screw cap, preferably a step of screwing the screw cap onto the thread of the neck of the bottle to close the bottle.

[0025] Thus, installing the diffuser at the bottom of the cap is, on the one hand, generally very simple and easy, and on the other hand, it can be carried out in principle by almost any type of water bottle user.

[0026] 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, fixed in the bottom of the captive screw cap, and comprising a stack of successive layers: an aroma reservoir layer suitable for: containing at least one aroma, in liquid or solid form,alone or absorbed in an absorbent material, to, for at least part of the surface of the layer stack, or for at least half of the surface of the layer stack, or for the entire surface of the layer stack: diffuse this aroma in gaseous form out of the reserve layer, this aroma then being perceptible to a human nose, while preventing water from entering this reserve layer and / or while preventing water that has entered this reserve layer from exiting this reserve layer carrying the aroma in liquid or solid form, to prevent this aroma from exiting the reserve layer in liquid or solid form, an adhesive layer, fixing the aroma diffuser in the bottom of the captive screw cap connected by a safety ring to the disposable water bottle which has a capacity of between 0.2 and 2 liters and which includes a neck surrounded by a thread,the stacking of layers having a total thickness between 1mm and 10mm, or between 2mm and 5mm, the stacking of layers having a width or diameter between 5mm and 20mm, or between 7mm and 15mm.

[0027] An alternative system for attaching the aroma diffuser to the bottom of the screw cap, other than an adhesive layer, could also be considered, but this would be somewhat more complex and expensive. For example, an aroma diffuser could be designed, comprising a stack of successive layers: a reserve layer of aroma suitable for: containing at least one aroma, in liquid or solid form, alone or absorbed in an absorbent material; and, for at least part, half, or all of the stacked layers, diffusing this aroma in gaseous form from the reserve layer, making it detectable by a human nose.while preventing water from entering this reserve layer and / or while preventing water that has entered this reserve layer from exiting this reserve layer carrying the aroma in liquid or solid form, to prevent this aroma from exiting the reserve layer in liquid or solid form, one or more protrusions located at the periphery of the aroma reserve layer so as to be able to clip or fit into the bottom of the screw cap, by cooperation with the internal thread of the screw cap, or with the internal face of the cap, allowing the aroma diffuser to be fixed, by simple pressure of a human finger, in the bottom of a captive screw cap connected by a safety ring to a disposable water bottle which has a capacity of between 0.2 and 2 liters and which includes a neck surrounded by a thread, the stacking of layers having a total thickness of between 1mm and 10mm, or between 2mm and 5mm,The stacking of layers having a width or diameter between 5mm and 20mm, or between 7mm and 15mm. The present invention thus makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks of known devices by providing a diffuser:

[0028] - 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"),

[0029] - very simple to use on a standard water bottle, i.e. can be opened / closed with little effort and few manipulations, 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 seeing in it a dual issue of public health and avoidance of the multiplication of capsules with proprietary designs, and will thus confirm the desired objective of sustainable and responsible development.

[0030] According to preferred embodiments, the invention comprises one or more of the following features which can be used separately or in partial combination with each other or in total combination with each other, with any of the aforementioned objects of the invention.

[0031] Preferably, the aroma storage layer comprises the stacking of two sub-layers: a first sub-layer, suitable for containing this aroma, in liquid or solid form, alone or absorbed in an absorbent material, a second sub-layer, formed by a semi-permeable membrane which is permeable to gases, but impermeable to water or impermeable to liquids, and which is disposed on at least a part of the surface of the stack of layers, or on at least half of the surface of the stack of layers, or on the entire surface of the stack of layers, located, with respect to the first sub-layer, on the side opposite the adhesive layer.

[0032] Thus, the aroma reservoir is in two parts: one containing the aroma and the other protecting it from water. This two-part design is structurally slightly less simple but qualitatively more effective in terms of water protection and maintaining a long lifespan for the aroma within the diffuser. Preferably, the first sub-layer is refillable by immersion in an aroma solution, which is preferably heated.

[0033] Thus, filling the aroma tank 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.

[0034] Water impermeability does not prevent recharging with aroma solution by immersion, insofar as: some materials, such as silicone, are selectively permeable to some liquids but impermeable to other liquids (such as water), heating the solution can make some materials temporarily permeable to heated liquids, the aroma storage material can be recharged by immersion first, then covered with a water-impermeable layer, the diffuser can have a water-impermeable layer on only one side, on one surface, the other sides or other surfaces remaining permeable to aroma solutions, heated or not.

[0035] Preferably, the first underlayer is essentially formed by a liquid-absorbing foam or a liquid-absorbing sponge.

[0036] Thus, the essential or main material of the aroma reservoir, a foam or a sponge, is simple and inexpensive.

[0037] Preferably, the foam or sponge has slits around its periphery arranged so as to deform to fit the shape of the bottom of a screw cap of a disposable water bottle which has a capacity of between 0.2 and 2 liters and which includes a neck surrounded by a thread.

[0038] This makes it easier to install the diffuser at the bottom of the cap.

[0039] Preferably, the second underlayer is a rubber membrane. This provides a high level of water protection while also maintaining a high, and therefore intense, rate of gaseous diffusion of the aroma in the form of a scented fragrance.

[0040] Preferably, the first underlayer is tapered on the adhesive side to better attach to the bottom of a screw cap of a disposable water bottle which has a capacity between 0.2 and 2 liters and which includes a neck surrounded by a thread.

[0041] This makes it easier to install the diffuser at the bottom of the cap.

[0042] Preferably, the aroma reserve layer is formed by an absorbent material, which is suitable for containing this aroma in liquid or solid form, which allows the aroma it has absorbed to diffuse in gaseous form while forming a barrier to water or liquids, over at least part of the surface of the layer stack, or over at least half of the surface of the layer stack, or over the entire surface of the layer stack.

[0043] Thus, the aroma reservoir is a single unit that both contains the aroma and protects it from water. This single-unit design is structurally simpler but slightly less effective in terms of water protection and maintaining the aroma's lifespan within the diffuser.

[0044] Preferably, the reserve layer is tapered on the adhesive side to better fit into the bottom of a screw cap of a disposable water bottle which has a capacity between 0.2 and 2 liters and which includes a neck surrounded by a thread.

[0045] This makes it easier to install the diffuser at the bottom of the cap.

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

[0047] Thus, filling the aroma tank 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] Preferably, the reservoir layer is essentially made of either silicone, porous ceramic, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or polyurethane foam (PU foam). These materials thus achieve a good or relatively good compromise between all the required properties, and in particular a high gas diffusion rate, good water impermeability, good flexibility for easy installation, and good recyclability (since the diffuser is a disposable component, along with the standard bottle).

[0049] Silicone and porous ceramic will be used more often with an aroma reservoir that is a single piece both containing the aroma and protecting the aroma contained from 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 from water.

[0050] Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and polyurethane foam (PU Foam) will be used with an aroma reservoir that is in two parts, one part that contains the aroma and one part that protects the aroma contained from water, the thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and polyurethane foam (PU Foam) forming only the part that contains the aroma but not the part that protects the aroma contained from water.

[0051] Preferably, the aroma diffuser is disc-shaped and is either circular or crenellated.

[0052] Thus, the circular shape is structurally simpler, while the crenellated shape is more securely fixed to the bottom of the cap (because the deformable crenellated periphery can better conform to the cylindrical wall of the screw cap).

[0053] Preferably, the periphery of the disc is thinner than the center of the disc.

[0054] This makes it easier to install the diffuser at the bottom of the cap.

[0055] The tamper-evident ring refers to the European directive on single-use plastics, known as the "captive cap" (or captive cap) directive, which mandates that all plastic bottle caps must be securely attached to the bottle body from July 3, 2024. The aim of this regulation is to minimize the harmful environmental impact of plastic. In this context, standardization of captive caps is expected, ensuring that the cap is collected and recycled with the bottle. Currently, among the various captive cap solutions on the market are caps attached to a base clipped under the threads (such as the "Rozanna" brand cap ("registered trademark")) and hinged "snap" caps (such as the "Cristalline" brand cap ("registered trademark")), which do not unscrew but open from the bottom up.Preferably, the aroma is a fruity fragrance.

[0056] Thus, the sensation of drinking water becomes even more pleasant for the user.

[0057] Preferably, the aroma includes a component that has an effect: either appetite suppressant, taste desensitization, or taste re-education.

[0058] Thus, the simple act of drinking water can improve or even restore other sensations beneficial to the user. Preferably, the aroma includes at least one component and / or at least one essential oil, from one or more of the following fragrances: peppermint, lemon, grapefruit, cinnamon, rosemary, clove, green mandarin, thyme.

[0059] 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 that essential oil.

[0060] Taste receptors can only register five distinct tastes, whereas there are hundreds of types of olfactory receptors that allow 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 limitation.

[0061] The disposable water bottle is preferably a disposable mineral water bottle, specifically a plastic water bottle. The plastic disposable water bottle can be replaced, for example, by a bioplastic disposable water bottle, or a bamboo disposable water bottle, or a PLA disposable water bottle.

[0062] The disposable water bottle is preferably recyclable or at least partially recyclable.

[0063] A disposable water bottle, for example, is the opposite of a constantly reusable water bottle.

[0064] Advantageously, the aroma can emanate from a substance contained within the diffuser's reservoir, known for its aromatic properties. The constituents or ingredients of the aromatizing material or substance contained within 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 component that not only enhances the diffusion of an aroma but also improves, in particular, its preservation and / or aeration.

[0065] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] 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.

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

[0068] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 schematically represents a bottom view of a cap of a beverage device comprising an aroma diffuser according to the invention.

[0069] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 schematically represents a profile view of a stack of layers of an aroma diffuser according to the invention, according to a first embodiment.

[0070] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 schematically represents a profile view of a stack of layers of an aroma diffuser according to the invention, according to a second embodiment.

[0071] In the following description of embodiments of the invention, a container, for example a bottle, such as the one shown in the figures, 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.

[0072] Similarly, the term "internal surface" refers to the surface of a part facing inward toward the bottle, and likewise, the term "external surface" refers to the surface of a part facing outward toward the bottle, that is, in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of the bottle's interior. Likewise, the term "horizontal axis" refers to the axes X and Y perpendicular to the principal Z axis along which the bottle extends from bottom to top. Water bottles with a slightly shorter neck (17 mm instead of 21 mm), a steeper thread pitch, and threads that wrap around the neck only twice instead of three times can also be used.

[0073] 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.

[0074] DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0075] Figure 1 schematically represents a side view of a beverage device comprising an aroma diffuser according to the invention.

[0076] In Figure 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] An aroma diffuser 7 is fixed in the base 60 of the captive screw cap 6. This aroma diffuser 7 comprises a stack of layers which will be described in connection with Figures 3 and 4.

[0080] 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.

[0081] Figure 2 schematically represents a bottom view of a cap of a beverage device comprising an aroma diffuser according to the invention.

[0082] In figure 2, the aroma diffuser 7 is fixed in the bottom of the cap 6 which it hides and which is no longer visible in figure 2. The cylindrical side wall 61 including the internal thread 62 surrounds the aroma diffuser 7.

[0083] Figure 3 schematically represents a side view of a stack of layers of an aroma diffuser according to the invention, in a first embodiment. The aroma diffuser 7 comprises a stack of successive layers: an aroma reservoir layer 71, an adhesive layer 72, and a protective layer 73 for the adhesive layer 72.

[0084] The reserve layer 71 of aroma is suitable for containing at least one aroma, in liquid or solid form, alone or absorbed in an absorbent material.

[0085] This reserve layer 71 is also suitable for, for at least part of the surface S of the stack of layers, or for at least half of the surface S of the stack of layers, or for the whole surface S of the stack of layers: diffusing this aroma in gaseous form out of the reserve layer 71, this aroma then being able to be smelled by a human nose, while preventing water from entering this reserve layer 71 and / or while preventing water that has entered this reserve layer 71 from leaving this reserve layer 71 carrying the aroma in liquid or solid form, and preventing this aroma from leaving the reserve layer 71 in liquid or solid form (this is to prevent the aroma from leaving on its own, without the help of water).

[0086] The adhesive layer 72 allows the aroma diffuser 7 to be fixed, by simple pressure of a human finger, in the bottom 60 of a captive screw cap 6 connected by a safety ring 4 to a disposable water bottle 1 which has a capacity between 0.2 and 2 liters and which includes a neck 2 surrounded by a thread 20.

[0087] The protective layer 73 of the adhesive layer 72 is peelable by human fingers, meaning it can be easily removed without tools. Once the protective layer 73 is removed, the adhesive layer is stuck to the bottom 60 of the cap 6, that is, the bottom 60 of the cavity formed by the cap 6.

[0088] The stack of all layers 71-72-73 has a total thickness E between 1 mm and 10 mm, or between 2 mm and 5 mm. The stack of all layers 71-72-73 has a diameter D between 5 mm and 20 mm, or between 7 mm and 15 mm.

[0089] Figure 4 schematically represents a side view of a stack of layers of an aroma diffuser according to the invention, in a second embodiment. The composition of the aroma diffuser 7 is similar to the aroma diffuser 7 of Figure 3, except for the reserve layer 71, which comprises the stacking of two sub-layers 74 and 75.

[0090] The first sublayer 74 is suitable for containing this aroma, in liquid or solid form, alone or absorbed into an absorbent material. The second sublayer 75 is formed by a semi-permeable membrane 75 that is permeable to gases but impermeable to water or liquids, and that is disposed over at least a portion of the surface S of the layer stack, or over at least half of the surface S of the layer stack, or over the entire surface S of the layer stack. The second sublayer 75 is located, relative to the first sublayer 74, on the side opposite the adhesive layer 72.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Aroma diffuser, comprising a stack of successive layers: o a reserve layer (7) of suitable aroma: ■ to contain at least one flavoring, in liquid or solid form, alone or absorbed in an absorbent material, ■ to, for at least part of the surface (S) of the layer stack, or for at least half of the surface (S) of the layer stack, or for the entire surface (S) of the layer stack: • to diffuse this aroma in gaseous form out of the reserve layer (7), this aroma then being detectable by a human nose, • while preventing water from entering this reserve layer (7) and / or while preventing water that has entered this reserve layer (7) from leaving this reserve layer and carrying away the aroma in liquid or solid form, ■ to prevent this aroma from escaping from the reserve layer (7) in liquid or solid form, o an adhesive layer (72), ■ allowing the aroma diffuser to be fixed, by simple pressure of a human finger, in the bottom (60) of a captive screw cap (6) connected by a safety ring (4) to a disposable water bottle (1) which has a capacity of between 0.2 and 2 liters and which includes a neck (2) surrounded by a thread (20), o a protective layer (73) of the adhesive layer (72), ■ peelable by human fingers, or the stacking of layers having a total thickness (E) between 1mm and 10mm, or between 2mm and 5mm, o the stacking of layers having a width or diameter (D) between 5mm and 20mm, or between 7mm and 15mm.

2. Aroma diffuser according to claim 1, characterized in that: the aroma reserve layer (7) comprises the stacking of two sub-layers: o a first sub-layer (74), ■ suitable for containing this aroma, in liquid or solid form, alone or absorbed in an absorbent material, o a second underlayer (75), ■ formed by a semi-permeable membrane (75) which is permeable to gases, but impermeable to water or impermeable to liquids, and which is disposed on at least a part of the surface (S) of the layer stack, or on at least half of the surface (S) of the layer stack, or on the entire surface (S) of the layer stack, ■ located, in relation to the first underlayer (74), on the side opposite the adhesive layer (72).

3. Aroma diffuser according to claim 2, characterized in that the first sub-layer (74) is chargeable or rechargeable by immersion in an aroma solution, this aroma solution being preferably heated.

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

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

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

7. Aroma diffuser according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the first sub-layer (74) is tapered on the side of the adhesive layer (72) to better fix itself in the bottom of a screw cap (6) of a disposable water bottle (1) which has a capacity of between 0.2 and 2 liters and which includes a neck (2) surrounded by a thread (20).

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

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

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

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

12. Aroma diffuser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: the aroma diffuser is in the form of a disc which is: o either circular, o or crenellated.

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

14. A method for installing an aroma diffuser according to any one of the preceding claims in the base (60) of a captive screw cap (6) connected by a safety ring (4) to 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), characterized in that it comprises the following steps performed by the user of the aroma diffuser: preferably a step of unscrewing the screw cap (6) to open the bottle (1), a step of peeling off the protective layer (73) from the adhesive layer (72), a step of gluing the diffuser (7) to the base of the screw cap (6) when the cap (6) is unscrewed, the adhesive layer (72) of the diffuser then being pressed against the base (60) of the screw cap (6), 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).

15. Drinking 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: o 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), o a screw cap (6), ■ which has an internal thread (61) corresponding to the external thread (20) of the neck (2) allowing the cap (6) to screw around the neck (2), o 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) captive, an aroma diffuser (7), fixed in the base (60) of the captive screw cap (6), and comprising a stack of successive layers: o a reserve layer (7) of suitable aroma: ■ to contain at least one flavoring, in liquid or solid form, alone or absorbed in an absorbent material, ■ to, for at least part of the surface (S) of the layer stack, or for at least half of the surface (S) of the layer stack, or for the entire surface (S) of the layer stack: • to diffuse this aroma in gaseous form out of the reserve layer (7), this aroma then being detectable by a human nose, • while preventing water from entering this reserve layer (7) and / or while preventing water that has entered this reserve layer (7) from leaving this reserve layer (7) and carrying away the aroma in liquid or solid form, ■ to prevent this aroma from escaping from the reserve layer (7) in liquid or solid form, an adhesive layer (72), ■ fixing the aroma diffuser (7) in the bottom (60) of the captive screw cap (6) connected by a safety ring (4) to the disposable water bottle (1) which has a capacity of between 0.2 and 2 liters and which includes a neck (2) surrounded by a thread (20), the stack of layers having a total thickness (E) of between 1mm and 10mm, or between 2mm and 5mm, the stack of layers having a width or diameter (D) of between 5mm and 20mm, or between 7mm and 15mm.

Images