Adapter for a straw
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aroma delivery devices for drinking straws are cumbersome, difficult to mount, and do not efficiently provide aroma fluid to the user, often mixing with the drinking liquid and lacking in compactness and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A compact adapter for drinking straws that allows simultaneous delivery of drinking fluid and aroma fluid through separate paths, featuring a stop portion and aroma channel, enabling easy mounting and stable connection, with optional aroma sources that can be easily replaced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact adapter design is used, then the device size is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the mounting stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed to fit over the drinking straw in a nested configuration, with the hollow element receiving the straw within its interior space. This nesting approach allows the adapter to be compact while maintaining a secure fit through the interference between the straw's outer surface and the adapter's inner surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter employs a hollow element with an inner surface that can elastically deform to accommodate the drinking straw. This flexibility allows the adapter to conform to the straw's dimensions, ensuring a stable mounting connection while keeping the adapter itself compact and lightweight.
2Measurement precision
If separate aroma and drinking fluid paths are used, then aroma delivery precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is divided into distinct functional zones: a drinking fluid path for liquid flow and a separate aroma channel for aroma substance delivery. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized independently for its specific function, ensuring precise aroma delivery while maintaining relatively simple overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter acts as an intermediary device that interfaces between the drinking straw and the aroma source. It provides separate channels within its structure - one for drinking fluid and another for aroma - thereby achieving precise aroma delivery without requiring complex integration of multiple systems.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple mounting structure is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but mounting ease deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter's hollow element is designed with a universal fit configuration that can accommodate various drinking straw types. The inner surface geometry provides a standardized interface that simplifies manufacturing while ensuring easy mounting across different applications, eliminating the need for custom-designed adapters for each straw type.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter employs parameter optimization in its dimensional design, where the inner diameter, wall thickness, and overall shape are carefully selected to provide a snap-fit or friction-fit mounting mechanism. These parameter choices enable easy user assembly without complex fastening mechanisms, while remaining simple to manufacture using standard molding or machining processes.
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 adapter provides a flexible, user-friendly, and cost-effective solution for delivering aroma fluid separately from drinking fluid, enhancing sensory experience by allowing aroma perception retro-nasally without mixing, suitable for various straw types and applications.
Implementation Method 1
when the user sucks on the mouth end: a drinking fluid, preferably a liquid such as water, can be provided to the user via the straw to mouth of the user; and an aroma fluid, preferably a gas such as air comprising an aroma substance, can be provided to the mouth of the user via the aroma channel
Implementation Method 2
the aroma substance rises retro-nasally via the pharynx to the olfactory mucosa, where it is detected by the receptors located there and perceived by the user
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an adapter (1) for a drinking straw (80), comprising: a hollow element (10) having a mouth end (11) for being received in the mouth of a user, a distal end (12) opposite to the mouth end (11), an inner surface (13), and a stop portion (20); and an aroma channel (16) for being connected with an aroma source (50); wherein the adapter (1) is configured such that, when the hollow element (10) is mounted on the drinking straw (80) by inserting at least a part of the straw (80) into the hollow element (10): the stop portion (20) abuts a proximal end (81) of the straw (80); a contacting portion of the inner surface (13) contacts a part of the outer surface of the straw (80); and when the user additionally sucks on the mouth end (11): a drinking fluid, preferably a liquid such as water, can be provided to the user via the straw (80) to mouth of the user; and an aroma fluid, preferably a gas such as air comprising an aroma substance, can be provided to the mouth of the user via the aroma channel (16).