EP0577640B1

EP0577640B1 - Fitment for a bottle, to prevent refilling

Info

Publication number: EP0577640B1
Application number: EP92906654A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Peter Chapman; Richard Paul Harbutt; Peter Nott; David Christopher Snow
Original assignee: United Distillers PLC
Current assignee: United Distillers PLC
Priority date: 1991-03-27
Filing date: 1992-03-19
Publication date: 1996-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 2012-03-19
Also published as: DE69211544D1; GB9321033D0; AU1542992A; HK1003568A1; IE920967A1; GB2270294A; ES2088800T3; WO1992017380A1; EP0577640A1; GR3020225T3; DE69211544T2; DK0577640T3; ATE139202T1; IE76294B1; GB9106578D0; GB2270294B

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fitment (1) for a bottle comprising a one-way valve means (4) for outward flow of fluid, the valve means (4) being arranged in a main chamber (3) through which fluid flows outwardly from the bottle. The valve means (4) comprises a damping chamber (9) which only fills with fluid during forced filling of the bottle to thereby damp movement of the valve means (4).

Description

The present invention relates to a fitment for a bottle, in particular, a fitment which inhibits refilling of the bottle.
It is known to provide bottles with closures which include one-way valves and the like to prevent refilling of the bottle once the original contents have been emptied or topping up of partially empty bottles. However, a typical one-way valve is still subject to defeat by pulse, over-pressure, vibration and inverted filling techniques, mechanical attack or withdrawal. This problem is particularly prevalent in the bottled drinks industry where refilling of bottles containing spirits is of great concern. Therefore, there is a considerable demand for a solution to the problem which will prevent a counterfeiter from refilling the original bottle with a product of inferior quality.
According to the present invention there is provided a fitment for a bottle comprising a one-way valve means for outward flow of fluid, the valve means being arranged in a main chamber through which fluid flows outwardly from the bottle, wherein the valve means comprises a damping chamber which only fills with fluid during forced filling of the bottle to thereby damp movement of the valve means.
Preferably, the valve means comprises a second sealed chamber which contains air and acts as a float.
Preferably, the damping chamber is provided with one or more inlets for fluid which are small in comparison to the volume of the chamber thereby hindering release of fluid.
Preferably, a ball is located in the damping chamber and the valve means is moveable within the main chamber from a first position in which the valve means seals the bottle to a second position in which fluid can flow from the bottle.
Preferably, the weight and diameter of the ball located in the damping chamber determines the second position.
Preferably, the valve means moves in contact with a friction member which hinders rapid movement of the valve means.
Preferably, the valve means includes a sealing member.
Preferably, a ball is located in the main chamber and the valve means is moveable from a first position in which the valve means seals the bottle to a second position in which fluid can flow from the bottle.
Preferably, the sealed float chamber is slidable within the damping chamber.
Preferably, there is further provided a disc of hard material at the bottle mouth.
Preferably, the disc is manufactured from a ceramic material.
Preferably, the disc is manufactured from a combination of ceramic material and a thermoset.
Preferably, there is further provided a fitment comprising a tilting disc at the outlet from the main chamber, the diameter of the disc being such that it allows fluid to flow from the bottle but will seal the bottle if glue or the like is introduced into the main chamber.
Preferably, there is further provided a fitment comprising a valve release means which prevents the valve means from being held in a closed position under the condition of a partial vacuum.
Preferably, there is further provided means to collapse one or more parts of the fitment if the fitment is subjected to abnormal external pressures.
Preferably, the fitment comprises an outer housing having at least two parts which snap-fit together.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view through a fitment for a bottle (not shown) according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention in a closed position;
Figure 2 is the fitment of Figure 1 when the fitment and a bottle (not shown) are tilted to allow fluid to flow from the bottle;
Figure 3 is a view in direction A in Figure 1 (without the ball);
Figure 4 is a view in direction B in Figure 1;
Figure 5 shows how the fitment according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention would be located in the neck of a bottle;
Figure 6 depicts the second preferred embodiment of the present invention in a closed postion;
Figure 7 is a view in direction A in Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a view in direction B in Figure 6;
Figure 9 depicts the fitment in Figure 6 when open;
Figure 10 depicts the flow of fluid through the fitment in Figure 6 when fully open;
Figure 11 shows details of a preferred anti-drill disc;
Figure 12 is a view in direction A in Figure 11;
Figure 13 shows details of an alternative anti-drill disc;
Figure 14 depicts a third preferred embodiment of the present invention:
Figure 14a is an enlarged view of the outer housing at point A in Figure 14;
Figure 14b is an enlarged view of the outer housing at point B in Figure 14;
Figure 15 shows the fitment in Figure 14 when provided with an internal glass plug.

Figure 1 depicts a fitment generally indicated by reference numeral 1 which is suitable for insertion in the neck of a bottle (not shown). Either the entire fitment 1 can be located in the bottle neck or just the lower cylindrical portion 2b with the upper cylindrical portion 2a sitting on the mouth of the bottle. The fitment 1 is provided with a valve mechanism 4 in chamber 3 formed within cylindrical portion 2a.
Figure 1 depicts the fitment 1 in a closed position, for example, when the bottle in which it is located is upright. In this position, the valve mechanism 4 falls under gravity and seals the contents of the bottle by means of a soft seal gasket 5. The gasket 5 is connected to the valve mechanism 4 by a projection 6 which extends through the gasket 5. The passage 17 into the lower cylindrical portion 2b is sealed by the gasket 5.
The valve mechanism 4 is slidable in a main chamber 3 and guided by longitudinal ribs 7 located at four points on the inner circumference of the main chamber 3.
The valve mechanism 4 comprises two chambers 8 and 9 of which the first is a float chamber 8 and the second is a damping chamber 9. The damping chamber 9 includes a ball 10 which is indicated by full lines when the fitment is in a closed position. The broken lines indicate the position of the ball 10 when the bottle in which the fitment is located is tilted to release fluid. The damping chamber 9 co-operates with a seat 11 for the ball 10 so that the ball is centralised when the valve mechanism 4 moves toward the outlet 12 of the fitment. Centralisation of ball 10 will avoid unequal forces within the fitment adversely affecting its function . The seat 11 consists of a number of separate fins which are connected to a central solid portion 13. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view in direction A in Figure 1 which clearly shows the seat 11 (ball 10 is not included). A rubber ring 14 is located between the inner walls of valve mechanism 4 and the solid portion 13. There is a narrow gap 18 between the ring 14 and portion 13 which is an inlet to chamber 9.
The lower cylindrical portion 2b houses an insert 15 which has channels 16 running through it in the shape of a cruciform. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view in direction B in Figure 1 which clearly shows the arrangement of channels 16. The insert 15 provides a means for controlling flow of fluid from a bottle which incorporates the fitment 1. This flow control will be described in connection with Figure 2.
Figure 2 depicts the fitment 1 when the bottle in which it is located has been tilted through approximately 135° to allow fluid to pass from the bottle. The arrows indicate the direction of flow of fluid leaving the bottle and the direction of flow of air passing into the bottle. The channels 16 ensure a smooth flow of fluid from the bottle because the air passes through the upper channels and the fluid passes through the lower channels. However, the fitment 1 need not include an insert 15 and would be just as effective in prohibiting tampering if the insert 15 was omitted.
When fluid passes through the fitment 1 the gasket 5 is forced away from the lower cylindrical portion 2b which in turn forces the valve mechanism 4 to slide within main chamber 3. The ball 10 will be urged into the seat 11 and the valve mechanism 4 will slide until the height of chamber 9 is equal to the diameter of ball 10.
Thus, if the bottle in which the fitment 1 is located is emptied of its contents in the normal way, the fitment 1 will simply allow smooth pouring and ensure that when the bottle is upright the contents are sealed from the atmosphere. However, the fitment is provided with features which are intended to discourage tampering of the kind in which the bottle is refilled with a substitute fluid and re-used.
If an attempt is made to refill the bottle in an inverted position by simply passing fluid upwards through the outlet 12, the fluid will force gasket 5 to move into position to seal the passage 17 into the cylindrical portion 2b. In addition, fluid will pass through the narrow gap 18 into chamber 9 and gradually fill the chamber whilst forcing the valve mechanism 4 to move towards the passage 17. Futhermore, the presence of fluid in chamber 3 will encourage float chamber 8 to move upwards and urge the valve mechanism 4 towards passage 17.
Another technique which is used to refill bottles with valves is the pulse filling technique. This involves repeatedly sucking air from the bottle and forcing in fluid to avoid the valve sealing properly. However, if such a technique is employed the fitment 1 will only allow a limited amount of refilling.
The suck/blow action will force fluid into main chamber 3 and into chamber 9 via inlet 18. However, the chamber 9 will provide a fluid damping effect because fluid is not able to leave the chamber easily. Accordingly, if fluid is forced in and then suction is applied to move gasket 5 away from passage 17 again the fluid in chamber 9 will hinder return of the valve mechanism 4 towards outlet 12 so that a rapid suck/blow action will be ineffective. In addition, the more air which is sucked from the bottle, the harder the gasket 5 will press against the cylindrical portion 2b to seal passage 17.
Bottles can also be filled by the vibration technique which involves vibrating the bottle to dislodge the valve mechanism whilst forcing fluid inwards. The use of this refilling technique is hampered by the use of the soft seal gasket 5 which does not dislodge easily and the rubber seal 14 which provides friction between itself and the rigid walls of the valve mechanism 4.
Preferably, the fitment will include a protective disc which would be arranged to cover the end of the fitment which lies at the entrance to the bottle. The disc could be manufactured from a hard heat-resistant material such as ceramic or thermoset or a combination of these materials. The disc may have holes therethrough to allow the passage of fluid from the bottle. Such a disc will inhibit drilling of the fitment or attack by a red hot poker or the like. A suitable form of disc is described in United Kingdom Patent Application No. 9103423.1 in the name of the applicants.
Figure 5 shows how a fitment 22 according to the present invention would be located in the neck of a bottle 21.
Figure 6 depicts a preferred embodiment of a fitment, generally indicated by reference numeral 22 according to the present invention. The fitment 22 is preferably manufactured from plastics such as polystyrol or acetal, and comprises a one-way valve means, generally indicated by reference numeral 23, for outward flow of fluid from the bottle. The one-way valve means 23 is slidable within a housing 24 from a closed position (figure 6) to an open position (Figures 9 and 10). The fitment 22 also comprises a closing means 25, which is moveable on an axial stem 26, and a boss 43 in which stem 26 is located. The central boss 43 is provided with eight spaced ribs 47 between which fluid passes as it is poured from the bottle. When the bottle 21 in which fitment 22 is placed is upright, the closing means 25 will fall under gravity and rest at the base of the stem 26 where it branches into a number of arms 27. When the bottle 21 is inverted so that it is substantially vertical the closing means 25 will fall into a closed position shown in Figure 6 and sit in the mouth of the bottle 21. There is a small clearance 28 around the closing means 25 which is sufficient to allow fluid to flow from the bottle 21 when fully inverted. If, however, the bottle 21 is tilted such that it is below the horizontal and fluid pours outwardly, the closing means 25 will take up the tilted position indicated by broken lines in Figure 6, allowing fluid to flow from the bottle and air to enter the bottle. However, as soon as fluid flow stops the closing means 25 will assume its closed position again.
The closing means 25 is intended to prevent tampering of the kind where a glue or sticky substance is introduced to flood the fitment 22 when the one-way valve means 23 is in an open position. Excess glue will then be poured from the fitment whilst valve means 23 is open leaving a residue around the moving parts which will eventually set to hold valve means 23 open. However, as soon as the glue stops pouring from the fitment, the closing means 25 will assume its closed position and the residue of glue around it will be sufficient to seal the fitment against the introduction of a counterfeit product. The closing means 25 will perform in a similar manner if water is introduced and subsequently frozen to hold the one-way valve means 23 in an open position because the water around the closing means 25 will also freeze and thus seal the fitment. The closing means 25 and its operation is the subject of United Kingdom Patent Application No. 9121896.6 in the name of the applicants.
The fitment 22 is provided with a sprung lip 45 on its external periphery to locate it in the required position.
The one-way valve arrangement in Figure 6 is shown in a closed position where a ball 29 pushes the one-way valve means 23 towards the end 30 of the fitment. The ball 29 could be glass, stainless steel or ceramic to ensure it is not buoyant in spirit and is heavy enough to operate the valve against refilling attempts. In this position, a soft seal gasket 31, preferably made from silicone rubber, is forced against the end 30 to seal the contents of the bottle. The bottle will be sealed if it is upright or at any position between upright and horizontal. When the bottle is horizontal the conical surface 32 ensures that the ball 29 will roll downwards towards the one-way valve 23 to close it. It is only when the bottle is tilted below the horizontal that ball 29 will roll over the conical surface 32 and seat in the arms 27 on the axial stem 26. Fluid will then force the one-way valve means 23 towards the end 33 of the fitment and the soft seal gasket 31 will be pulled away from its sealing position with end 30. As explained earlier, closing means 25 will assume the tilted position shown in Figure 9.
Figure 9 depicts the fitment when the one-way valve means 23 is fully open and fluid is able to pour from the bottle. It can be seen that the one-way valve means 23 comprises a fixed guide 34 and a slidable chamber 35. The chamber 35 contains air and acts as a float so that if an attempt is made to fill the bottle when inverted, chamber 35 will move upwards to close the one-way valve means 23. The space 36 between the chamber 35 and guide 34 will fill with fluid via a narrow clearance 46 during forced filling. When there is fluid in space 36 it will then act as a damping chamber if an attempt is made to fill by vibrating the one-way valve means because fluid will not be able to leave space 36 quickly having only an exit via narrow clearance 46.
The fitment depicted in Figures 6 to 9 also includes a means for preventing the sealing of the one-way valve means 23 when a partial vacuum exists in the bottle. The means for breaking a partial vacuum is disclosed in the applicant's co-pending U.K. Patent Application No. 9121749.7.
A partial vacuum can be created in a bottle having a one-way valve means under certain heating/cooling conditions. For example, if the temperature of a bottle increases so that its contents (e.g liquid and air) expand, the excess air will pass out through the one-way valve means to atmosphere. If the bottle is then cooled (e.g by placing in a refrigerator) the contents will then contract but the one-way valve means will prevent air from being sucked back into the bottle. This will result in the valve means being held firmly closed by the partial vacuum. In order to release the valve means, the pressure difference existing between each side of the valve means must be reduced to break the vacuum.
Figures 6 and 9 depict means for breaking a partial vacuum in the form of a needle valve 37. The needle valve 37 comprises a needle 38 slidable within a housing 39.
When there is no partial vacuum the needle valve 37 sits in the position shown in Figures 6 and 9 with the needle 38 sealing the outlet 40 in housing 39.
When a partial vacuum exists the soft seal gasket 31 will be pulled against end 30 and will flex slightly until it abuts a support 41. The support 41 comprises a central annular portion 44 from which extend eight ribs 42 attached to the end 30 of the fitment. The support 41 will ensure that the needle valve 37 is not pulled into the bottle interior by the partial vacuum and will also prevent a tamperer from pushing the needle valve 37 into the bottle interior.
If the bottle is then inverted the needle 38 will fall under gravity within the housing 39 and clear the outlet 40. In this position, air will enter the interior of the bottle through the housing 39 until the pressure difference is reduced between each side of the soft seal gasket 31 at which point the one-way valve will be released to allow fluid to pour outwardly. The dimensions and weight of needle 37 are critical to its operation since it must not be held by the partial vacuum in the same manner as gasket 31. Specific examples are disclosed in United Kingdom Patent Application No. 9121749.7.
Figure 6 also shows an anti-drill disc 48 affixed to the top of central boss 43 which is intended to prevent direct mechanical or physical (via a heated needle or the like) attack.
Figures 7 and 8 are views in directions A and B respectively in Figure 6.
Figure 10 depicts the fitment when tilted below the horizontal so that both the valve 23 and closing means 25 are open and fluid is flowing through the fitment. It can be seen that fluid will flow through the lowermost portion of the fitment whilst air or bubbles will pass through the uppermost portion of the fitment.
Figure 11 shows details of a suitable anti-drill disc 48 which could be incorporated into any of the fitments already described. The disc 48 comprises a solid central disc 50 having eight ribs 51 manufactured entirely in ceramic, for example. Figure 12 is a view of the disc 48 in direction A in Figure 11.
Figure 13 shows an alternative disc to that in Figure 11 which is manufactured from two components , a ceramic and a thermoset. The ribs 51 are thermoset with a layer of ceramic 52 covering the central disc 50 also of ceramic.
Figure 14 depicts a third preferred embodiment of the present invention and like reference numerals represent like features to the embodiment depicted in Figure 6. However, Figure 14 shows additional features on the outer housing of the fitment which have been enlarged in Figures 14a and 14b.
Whereas the embodiment depicted in Figure 6 is only provided with a sprung lip 45 to locate the fitment in the correct position, Figure 14 also shows features which result in a partial collapse of the fitment if excessive external pressure is applied to the fitment such as during tampering.
Figure 14a is an enlarged view of the region A in Figure 14. The outer housing comprises two parts 53a and 53b which are held together by a release collar 54. The release collar 54 acts as an annular sealing rim for the contents of the bottle as well as a means for holding parts 53a and 53b together. The collar 54 is provided with two recesses 55a and 55b which co-operate with projections 56a and 56b on parts 53a and 53b respectively. The parts 53a and 53b are arranged to be a snap fit in the collar 54.
In use, when an excess pressure or force is applied to the fitment, the part 53b is designed to dislocate from recess 55b and will fall below line A in Figure 14 into the bottle. Should the pressure be continued the part 53a will slip from recess 55a into recess 55b and with further increase in pressure, will also fall into the bottle. The collapse of the fitment will thus be clear evidence of tampering.
Figure 14b is an enlarged view of the region B in Figure 14. There is a third part 53c of the outer housing which is a snap fit into part 53b. This snap fit is also designed to become dislocated and falls into the bottle if excess pressure is applied to the top of the fitment. Again, this will act as direct evidence of tampering.
Figure 15 depicts a minor variation on the fitment in Figure 14 located in a bottle with an internal glass plug 55. The glass plug 55 is retained by means of a snap-fit retainer 56 which locates in recesses or a groove 57 around its periphery. Retainer 56 can be an extension of the housing of the fitment.
The fitment can be protected by either an external glass shroud or internal glass plug (as in Figure 15) whose orifice diameter is less than the diameter of the valve. This will hinder the withdrawal of the valve from the bottle. Such a glass plug is also disclosed in United Kingdom Patent Application No. 9101117.1.
Although the present invention has been described in connection with a bottle of the kind which holds drink for human consumption, it need not be restricted to this field since there are many other fields of industry where a non-refillable fitment could be employed.

Claims

A fitment for a bottle comprising a one-way valve means for outward flow of fluid, the valve means (4) being arranged in a main chamber (3) through which fluid flows outwardly from the bottle wherein the valve means comprises a damping chamber (9) which only fills with fluid during forced filling of the bottle to thereby damp movement of the valve means.
A fitment as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the valve means comprises a second sealed chamber (8) which contains air and acts as a float.
A fitment as claimed in Claims 1 or 2, wherein the damping chamber is provided with one or more inlets (18) for fluid which are small in comparison to the volume of the chamber (9) thereby hindering release of fluid.
A fitment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a ball (10) is located in the damping chamber and the valve means (4) is moveable within the main chamber from a first position in which the valve means seals the bottle to a second position in which fluid can flow from the bottle.
A fitment as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the weight and diameter of the ball located in the damping chamber determines the second position.
A fitment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the valve means moves in contact with a friction member (14) which hinders rapid movement of the valve means.
A fitment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the valve means includes a sealing member (5).
A fitment as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein a ball is located in the main chamber and the valve means is moveable from a first position in which the valve means seals the bottle to a second position in which fluid can flow from the bottle.
A fitment as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the sealed float chamber is slidable within the damping chamber.
A fitment as claimed in either of Claims 8 and 9 further comprising a disc of hard material at the bottle mouth.
A fitment as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the disc is manufactured from a ceramic material.
A fitment as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the disc is manufactured from a combination of a ceramic material and a thermoset.
A fitment as claimed in any of Claims 8 to 12 further comprising a tilting disc at the outlet from the main chamber, the diameter of the disc being such that it allows fluid to flow from the bottle but will seal the bottle if glue or the like is introduced into the main chamber.
A fitment as claimed in any of Claims 8 to 13 further comprising a valve release means which prevents the valve means from being held in a closed position under the condition of a partial vacuum.
A fitment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein means are provided to collapse one or more parts of the fitment if the fitment is subjected to abnormal external pressures.
A fitment as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the fitment comprises an outer housing having at least two parts which snap fit together.