Attachment for a drinking device and drinking device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drinking devices for retronasal aroma perception face challenges in providing a consistent and controlled delivery of aromatized air, leading to undesired ingestion of additives and pressure fluctuations, which affect the taste perception.

Innovation Solution

An attachment for a drinking device with a spout element and mouthpiece that includes an air channel with a first section parallel to the drinking liquid channel, pressure equalization chambers, and a second section leading into the drinking liquid, along with an air control element for adjusting aromatized air flow, ensuring a homogeneous and controlled delivery of aromatized air.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If an air channel directly connects the aroma container to the drinking liquid channel, then the device structure is simple, but pressure fluctuations occur and aromatic air delivery is inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair channel structureVSAvoidaromatic air delivery consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The air channel is divided into multiple sections: a first section running parallel to the drinking liquid channel, a second section leading into the drinking liquid channel, and intermediate pressure equalization chambers. This segmentation allows the aromatic air to be delivered in a controlled manner, preventing pressure fluctuations while maintaining consistent aromatic air delivery throughout the drinking process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the air channel runs parallel to the drinking liquid channel with pressure equalization chambers, then pressure fluctuations are reduced and aromatic air delivery is consistent, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearomatic air delivery consistencyVSAvoidair channel structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air channel is nested within or alongside the drinking liquid channel structure. The first section of the air channel runs parallel to the drinking liquid channel, with pressure equalization chambers positioned at strategic locations. This nested arrangement achieves reliable aromatic air delivery while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through efficient spatial utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If aroma substance is added directly to drinking liquid, then taste perception is enhanced, but unwanted additives are ingested and calories increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetaste perceptionVSAvoidadditive ingestion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The aroma substance is extracted from the drinking liquid and placed in a separate replaceable aroma container. Only aromatic air is delivered to the user through the air channel, while the liquid itself remains free of additives. This extraction approach maintains enhanced taste perception through retronasal aroma delivery while eliminating the ingestion of unwanted additives and calories associated with aromatized beverages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a replaceable aroma container is used, then additive ingestion is prevented, but the device requires more components and assembly steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadditive ingestionVSAvoiddevice components
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment structure is designed to be universal, accommodating different replaceable aroma containers through a standardized interface. The air channel system and pressure equalization chambers serve multiple functions: delivering aromatic air, equalizing pressure, and preventing liquid contamination of the aroma container. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, balancing the requirements for preventing additive ingestion with device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a consistent and controlled delivery of aromatized air, reducing the risk of additive ingestion and pressure fluctuations, enhancing the retronasal perception of aromas, and allowing users to adjust the flavor intensity as desired.

Implementation Method 1

an air channel having a first section in which the air channel runs along the transporting channel for drinking liquid and separate from the transporting channel for drinking liquid, and a second section in which the air channel runs to a joining position at which the air channel leads into the transporting channel for drinking liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4627972A1Attachment for a drinking device and drinking device
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 AIR UP GRP GMBH
  • EP4627972A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4627972A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4627972A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An attachment for a drinking device comprises an attachment element attachable to a drinking vessel, the attachment element being provided with a spout element with an outer wall and an inner wall surrounding a transporting channel for drinking liquid and a mouthpiece attachable to the spout element, wherein the mouthpiece comprises a wall structure surrounding an elongate interior volume between a first end and a second end at which the interior volume forms a drinking opening, the mouthpiece is provided with an air ingress opening formed in the wall structure, the air ingress opening being in fluid communication with an air channel having a first section in which the air channel runs along the transporting channel for drinking liquid separate from the transporting channel for drinking liquid, and a second section in which the air channel runs to a joining position at which the air channel leads into the transporting channel for drinking liquid.