Closing structure for a refillable vessel and drinking device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drinking devices for aromatized beverages require multiple steps to activate and deactivate the aroma perception, and they do not provide a convenient mechanism for retronasal aroma delivery, leading to inconsistent taste perception and potential leakage.
Innovation Solution
A closing structure with a movable element and fixed element, allowing for easy rotational movement between storing and operational positions, integrated with a drinking straw and aroma container, ensuring fluid and air communication for retronasal aroma perception, and featuring stop means for user guidance and leakage prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple independent steps are required to activate and deactivate aroma perception (opening cap, shifting aroma container, closing cap), then the aroma delivery mechanism can be controlled, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cap opening/closing function with the aroma container positioning function into a single rotational movement. The cap serves dual purposes: it seals the vessel opening and simultaneously acts as the aroma container holder. When the user rotates the cap, it both opens/closes the vessel and positions the aroma container in its delivery or storage position, eliminating the need for separate operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap is designed as a multi-functional element that simultaneously performs sealing, aroma container mounting, and aroma delivery control. The single cap structure integrates multiple functions that would traditionally require separate components and operations, allowing one action to achieve multiple objectives in the aroma delivery system.
2Illumination intensity
If the aroma container is positioned close to the drinking opening for orthonasal perception, then the aroma can be smelled, but the liquid may leak and the taste perception is not enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the aroma delivery pathway into separate channels: one for air/aroma (orthonasal route through the cap) and one for liquid (through the drinking straw). This segmentation allows aroma to be delivered to the user's nose while the liquid flows separately through the straw, preventing mixing and potential leakage issues while maintaining effective aroma perception.
3Ease of operation
If the aroma substance is delivered retronasally through the pharynx, then the taste perception is enhanced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the retronasal aroma delivery function with the existing drinking straw structure. The straw serves dual purposes: it transports liquid to the user's mouth and simultaneously delivers aroma substances through its walls or internal structure to the pharynx and retronasal pathway. This integration achieves enhanced taste perception without adding separate complex aroma delivery mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A closing structure (10) attachable to and detachable from a refillable vessel (20) for containing a liquid comprises a drinking straw (12) with an interior duct, a first end and a second end in a longitudinal direction of the drinking straw, an attachment structure (32) for attaching a replaceable aroma container (30), the aroma container having an interior aroma chamber and an air inlet opening (42) and an air outlet opening (40), a fixed element (46) which comprises an air duct (52) and a fluid guiding duct (50) in fluid communication with the interior duct (14) of the drinking straw (12). The closing structure comprises a movable element (48) attached to the fixed element (46) and rotationally movable relative to the fixed element. The movable element (48) comprising a spout section (54) and at least one stop means (78) for restricting the relative movement of the movable element (48) relative to the fixed element (46) such that the movable element is rotationally movable relative to the fixed element between a storing position and an operational position.