Closing structure for a refillable vessel and drinking device

Abstract

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.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A closing structure ( 10 ) attachable to and detachable from a refillable vessel ( 20 ) for containing a liquid, the closing structure ( 10 ) comprising:
 a drinking straw ( 12 ) comprising an interior duct ( 14 ), a first end ( 16 ) and a second end ( 18 ) in a longitudinal direction of the drinking straw ( 12 );   an attachment structure ( 32 ) for attaching a replaceable aroma container ( 30 ), the aroma container ( 30 ) having an interior aroma chamber, an air inlet opening ( 42 ) and an air outlet opening ( 40 );   a fixed element ( 46 ) either comprising an attachment means ( 24 ) configured to attach the first end ( 16 ) of the drinking straw ( 12 ) or being integrally formed with the drinking straw;   the fixed element ( 46 ) further comprising   an air duct ( 52 ); and   a fluid guiding duct ( 50 ) in fluid communication with the interior duct ( 14 ) of the drinking straw ( 12 );   a movable element ( 48 ) attached to the fixed element ( 46 ) and being rotationally movable relative to the fixed element ( 46 ), 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 ( 48 ) is rotationally movable relative to the fixed element ( 46 ) between a storing position and an operational position.   
     
     
         2 . Closing structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the movable element ( 48 ) comprises a convex sliding surface ( 64 ), and the fixed element ( 46 ) comprises a concave sliding surface ( 66 ) shaped and arranged to provide for a sliding movement of the convex sliding surface ( 64 ) relative to and in contact with the concave sliding surface ( 64 ). 
     
     
         3 . Closing structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the spout section ( 54 ) has
 a mouth end ( 56 ); and   a fluid channel ( 58 ) with a first opening ( 60 ) at the mouth end ( 56 ) and a second opening ( 62 ) in the convex sliding surface ( 64 ).   
     
     
         4 . Closing structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the air duct ( 52 ) has a first air duct section ( 76 ) with an aroma inlet end which is in fluid communication with the air outlet opening ( 40 ) of an attached aroma container ( 30 ), which first air duct section ( 76 ), in a longitudinal direction, has a varying cross-sectional surface, preferably continuously increasing towards the aroma inlet end. 
     
     
         5 . Closing structure according to  claim 4 , wherein the first air duct section ( 76 ) is essentially linear. 
     
     
         6 . Closing structure according to  claim 2 , wherein the air duct ( 52 ) comprises an opening in the concave sliding surface ( 66 ) of the fixed element ( 46 ). 
     
     
         7 . Closing structure according to  claim 2 , wherein the air duct ( 52 ) further comprises:
 a depression ( 68 ) provided in the convex sliding surface ( 64 ); and   a groove ( 70 ) formed in the concave sliding surface ( 66 ); wherein   in the operational position, a fluid communication is provided between the depression ( 68 ) and the first air duct section ( 76 ), and between the depression ( 68 ) and the groove ( 70 ), wherein the groove ( 70 ) opens into the fluid guiding duct ( 50 ).   
     
     
         8 . Closing structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a narrowed section ( 72 ) in the fluid guiding duct ( 50 ), which narrowed section ( 72 ) is closer to the first end ( 16 ) of the drinking straw ( 12 ) than a position at which an opening of the air duct ( 52 ) leading onto the fluid guiding duct ( 50 ) is arranged. 
     
     
         9 . Closing structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a vent channel ( 92 ) connecting the outside atmosphere and a surface of the closing structure ( 10 ) which, when attached to the refillable vessel ( 20 ), faces an interior volume ( 22 ) of the vessel ( 20 ). 
     
     
         10 . Closing structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the fixed part ( 46 ) comprises a first fixed part element ( 82 ) and a second fixed part element ( 84 ) attached to the first fixed part element ( 82 ). 
     
     
         11 . Closing structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the fixed part ( 46 ) comprises a first fixed part element ( 82 ) and a second fixed part element ( 84 ) attached to the first fixed part element ( 82 ), wherein the vent channel ( 92 ) comprises a vent channel section formed in an abutting surface between the first fixed part element ( 82 ) and the second fixed part element ( 84 ), wherein the vent channel section is preferably formed by a groove ( 86 ) in the first fixed part element ( 82 ) and/or the second fixed part element ( 84 ). 
     
     
         12 . Closing structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one stop means comprises a stop member ( 78 ) attached to or integrally formed with the spout section ( 54 ), wherein the stop member ( 78 ) is arranged such that, in the operational position, the stop member ( 78 ) rests against an abutting surface ( 80 ) of the fixed element ( 46 ). 
     
     
         13 . Closing structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the stop member comprises an actuating member ( 78 ) which is arranged such that the rotational movement of the spout section ( 54 ) is hand operated by pressing on the actuating member ( 78 ). 
     
     
         14 . Closing structure according to  claim 9 , wherein, the movable element ( 48 ) comprises a means for closing the vent channel ( 92 ) in the storing position. 
     
     
         15 . Closing structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the aroma container ( 30 ) is shaped such that it at least partially surrounds a portion of the fixed element ( 46 ). 
     
     
         16 . Drinking device, comprising:
 a vessel ( 20 ) with an interior chamber ( 22 ) for holding a liquid; which interior chamber ( 22 ) is open at a filling opening ( 28 ); and   a closing structure ( 10 ) according to  any of the preceding claims  which is attachable to and detachable from the vessel ( 20 ) at or close to the filling opening ( 28 ).   
     
     
         17 . Drinking device according to  claim 16 , wherein the drinking device is for the retronasal perception of an aroma substance and further comprises a replaceable aroma container ( 30 ) attached to the attachment structure ( 32 ) of the closing structure ( 10 ).