EP4313791A1

EP4313791A1 - A storage container

Info

Publication number: EP4313791A1
Application number: EP22724834.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sami Asghar-Sheikh; Rafi Asghar-Sheikh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-04-01
Filing date: 2022-04-01
Publication date: 2024-02-07
Also published as: GB2609383A; WO2022208114A1; GB202104743D0; CN117412905A

Abstract

A storage container is described comprising a receptacle for storing a fluid, the receptacle comprising a neck, the neck defining an opening through which the receptacle is fillable with, or emptiable of, a fluid. The receptacle also comprises a removable closure to seal the opening defined by the neck. The closure comprises a lip, wherein the lip is spaced away from the neck of the receptacle when the closure is secured to the neck. The receptacle also comprises a removable cap to close the storage container. The cap is shaped to fit over the closure. The cap comprises a catch configured to engage with the lip of the closure when the cap is removed, thereby allowing a user to engage the catch with the lip, apply a force to the lip, and lever the closure from the receptacle.

Description

A STORAGE CONTAINER

Technical Field

This disclosure relates to a storage container that may be used to store and dispense fluids. Particularly, the storage container may be used to store vaping fluids for use in a vaping device.

Background

Despite most consumable products being sold in disposable containers, there are occasions when consumers wish to refill or modify the contents of a consumable product that they have purchased.

In the case of vaping liquids for use in vaping devices, these liquids are solid in standard formulations. Some users of the vaping liquids, however, may wish to modify the formulation of the vaping liquid that they have purchased.

Summary

In a first aspect of this disclosure, a storage container is provided. The storage container comprises: a receptacle for storing a fluid, the receptacle comprising a neck, the neck defining an opening through which the receptacle tillable with, or emptiable of, a fluid; a removable closure to seal the opening defined by the neck, wherein the closure comprises a lip, wherein the lip is spaced away from the neck of the receptacle when the closure is secured to the neck; and a removable cap to close the storage container, the cap shaped to fit over the closure, wherein the cap comprises a catch configured to engage with the lip of the closure.

In a second aspect of this disclosure, a stopper is provided for sealing a bottle having a neck, the neck defining an opening through which the bottle may be filled with, or emptied of, a fluid. The stopper comprises: a nib defining an outlet through which fluid stored in the bottle is dispensable; a seal to close the opening of the neck; and a lip, the lip spaced away from the neck of the bottle and arranged to engage with a catch of a cap, the catch configured to, in use, exert a force, applied to the cap by a user, through the lip to lever the stopper from the neck of the bottle, the cap shaped to fit over the stopper and, when covering the stopper, plug the outlet to prevent fluid stored in the bottle being dispensed.

In a third aspect of this disclosure, a cap for a storage container is provided, the cap shaped to fit over a stopper sealing an opening of a neck of a bottle. The cap comprises: a catch located at a tip of the cap, the catch arranged to engage with a lip on the stopper and configured to, in use, exert a force, applied to the cap by a user, to the lip to lever the stopper from the neck of the bottle.

In a fourth aspect of this disclosure, a method is provided. The method comprises filling a bottle with a fluid, the bottle having a neck defining an opening through which the bottle is Tillable; sealing the neck of the bottle with a stopper according to the second aspect; and covering the stopper with a cap according to the third aspect.

In a fifth aspect of this disclosure, a method of using a storage container is provided. The storage container comprises a bottle, a stopper according to according to the second aspect, and a cap according to the third aspect. The method comprises: removing the cap from the stopper and/or bottle; engaging the catch of the cap with the lip of the stopper; and applying a force through the catch to the lip to lift the stopper from the bottle.

A selection of optional features are set out in the dependent claims.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings

Figures 1, 2, and 3 illustrate examples of a storage container, according to the present disclosure, in various states of assembly. Figure 4 illustrates one example of a storage container, according to the present disclosure, with a detached cap and in use.

Figure 5 is a detailed view of a tip and a catch of one example of a cap according to the present disclosure.

Figure 6 is a detailed view of a lip of a stopper, according to the present disclosure, relative to a neck of a bottle.

Figure 7 illustrates a further implementation of a catch of another example of a cap according to the present disclosure.

Figure 8 illustrates the cap shown in Figure 7 in use.

Figures 9 to 11 illustrate the use of a cap to lever a stopper, all according to the present disclosure, from a bottle.

Detailed Description

Consumer goods suppliers will generally supply a consumable fluid in a sealed container that, once the container is emptied, will be disposed of by a user. In some cases, however, a consumer may wish to augment or refill the sealed container. For instance, in the case of vaping fluids that may be used with a vaping device, there are instances when a user of the vaping device may wish to refill a vaping fluid container or augment the contents of the vaping fluid container in some manner. Thus, the user of a vaping device can control the proportions of the compounds in the vaping liquid that they wish to dispense to the vaping device. For example, the user of the vaping device may wish to add a nicotine supplement to the vaping fluid container to increase the concentration of the vaping fluid stored in the container. In another example, the user may wish to add a flavourant to the vaping fluid stored in the container. A vaping fluid is a fluid, such as a liquid, that may be vaporised or aerosolised by a vaping device so that the resulting vapour/aerosol can be inhaled by a user of the vaping device. To ensure that fluids from storage containers are not spilt or leak from the container, the vessel that stores the fluid is usually well sealed by a closure. In the case of vaping liquids, it is undesirable for these liquids to leak from the container they are stored in before dispensing because the compounds and/or components of the vaping liquid may damage personal electronic items, clothing, or other goods. Nevertheless, a user may still wish to adjust the contents of a vaping liquid storage container. If the opening of the vessel that stores the vaping fluid is strongly sealed, then this presents an obstacle or difficulty to a user when they wish to adjust or refill the fluid stored in the storage container. If the closure is difficult to remove - or impossible to remove without damage - then the user may end up spilling the remaining contents of the storage vessel when they attempt to open it.

Described herein is a storage container that permits a user to access a fluid storing receptacle in a controlled and predictable manner. In some cases, the storage container can be used to store a vaping fluid. The storage container comprises the receptacle for storing the fluid, a removable closure to seal an opening into the receptacle, and a removable cap to cover the closure thereby closing the storage container. The closure may have a dispenser through which fluid stored in the receptacle may be dispensed. The applicants have found that providing a first engagement feature on the closure that is configured to engage with a second engagement feature on the cap allows a user to engage the catch and the lip and prise the closure from the receptacle.

Each of the receptacle, closure, and cap may be manufactured separately and then assembled for delivery to a consumer. The receptacle may be filled with a fluid, such as a vaping fluid, and then sealed with the closure. The cap may then be assembled to the closure and/or the receptacle and the storage container delivered to a customer. A method of filling a storage container may therefore comprise: filling a receptacle with a fluid; sealing the receptacle (such as by sealing a neck of the receptacle, the neck as described hereinbelow) with the closure; and covering the closure with the cap (including, in some instances, blocking the dispenser to prevent fluid being dispensed from the dispenser). The filling may comprise filling the receptacle with a vaping fluid. The receptacle, which is to store the fluid, comprises a neck, which, in some instances, may be narrower than a main body of the receptacle. The neck defines an opening through which the receptacle is tillable with, or emptiable of, a fluid.

In use, the closure is secured removably to the neck of the receptacle thereby sealing the opening. The closure comprises a lip. When the closure is secured to the neck of the receptacle, the lip is spaced away from the neck thereby allowing the lip to engage with a catch on the cap. The lip may be spaced away from the neck by overhanging the neck. The lip may be spaced away from the neck by a gap provided between the neck and the lip. For instance, the gap may be between a top surface of the neck and the lip. In some examples, lip may be spaced away from the neck by overhanging the neck and by a gap provided between the neck and the lip. In some cases, the lip is spaced away from the neck only by the provision of a gap between the neck and the lip. In an example, a width dimension of the closure, such as a diameter, may be wider than a width dimension of the neck, thereby creating the overhang. In another example, the lowermost edge - of the exposed or outside portion - of the closure may be displaced above the top or rim of the neck, thereby creating the gap. In another example, the closure may comprise a groove that circumscribes a perimeter of the closure, such as a circumference of a cylindrically shaped closure, wherein a downward facing surface of the groove forms the lip and the distance between the downward facing surface and the top of the neck is the gap. Thus, in some circumstances, the neck and the closure may have the same diameter, or the closure may have a smaller diameter than the neck.

The closure may comprise a dispenser. In use, fluid stored in the receptacle is dispensable from the dispenser. The dispenser may comprise an outlet through which the fluid may pass when dispensed. In some examples, the dispenser comprises a nozzle through which the fluid may be ejected.

The closure may be shaped and formed to fit within the removable cap. When the cap covers the closure, the dispenser may be blocked by the cap to prevent fluid being dispensed from the dispenser when the storage container is closed by the cap. For instance, a dispensing hole in the dispenser may be blocked by the cap when the storage container is closed.

The removable cap is shaped and formed to fit over the closure. The cap comprises a catch that is engageable with the lip of the closure when the cap is removed, thereby allowing a user to engage the catch with the lip, apply a force to the lip, and lever the closure from the receptacle. The catch may be located at a tip of the cap. In some examples, the catch comprises a ridge that protrudes from an outer surface of the cap. In other examples, the catch comprises a groove or indentation into the surface of the cap. In some examples, the cap comprises a tapered portion in which the cap narrows towards the tip.

As noted above, when the cap covers the closure to close the storage container, the dispenser may be blocked by the cap to prevent fluid being dispensed from the dispenser. In some examples, the cap comprises a bung or pin to plug the dispensing hole when the cap is assembled to the closure and/or the receptacle.

In use, a user may remove the cap from the rest of the storage container and lever the closure from the receptacle. To lever the closure from the receptacle, the user engages the catch of the cap with the lip and applies a force through the catch to the lip to lift the closure from the receptacle. In some cases, the tip of cap may act as a fulcrum about which the cap can be rotated. A user may place a finger or other part of a hand under the cap to ensure the catch remains engaged with the lip. In some cases, the user may use a finger or other part of a hand located under the cap as a fulcrum about which the cap can be rotated. Where the cap includes the tapered portion, the taper provides a guide to ensure the user locates their finger in the desired location and also may provide comfort to a user as the cap is rotated. A method of using a storage container may therefore comprise: removing the cap from the closure and/or receptacle of the storage container; engaging a catch of the cap with a lip of the closure; and applying a force through the catch to the lip to lift the closure from the receptacle. The method may comprise modifying or adding to the contents of the receptacle. Figures 1, 2, and 3 illustrate examples of a storage container 10, according to the present disclosure, in various assembly states. The illustrated storage container 10 comprises a receptacle, a closure, and a cap.

Figure 1 shows the storage container 10 when disassembled. The receptacle is a bottle 20 that is used to hold fluid. In certain examples, the bottle 20 is to hold a vaping liquid for use in a vaping device. In the example shown, the bottle 20 is substantially cylindrical and extends substantially along an axial direction of the cylinder. The bottle 20 comprises a neck 22 that defines an opening 24 into the bottle 20. The bottle 20 may be filled with, or emptied of, a fluid through the opening 24. In some examples of the bottle 20, and as shown in the figures, the neck 22 of the bottle 20 is narrower than a main body portion of the bottle 20. In the example illustrated in the figures, the wall of the bottle 20 constricts immediately at a shoulder 26 towards the narrower neck 22 and thus the shoulder 26 takes a substantially perpendicularly shape. It will be understood that other suitable constriction shapes are possible. In some examples, there may be no constriction between the main body portion of the bottle 20 and the neck 22.

The closure is a stopper 30 that is used to seal the opening 24 of the bottle 20 and contain fluid in the bottle 20. The stopper 30 comprises a nib 32 which through which fluid may be dispensed from the bottle 20. The nib 32 defines an outlet through which the fluid may be ejected from the storage container 10. The outlet defined by the nib 32 may be relatively small in comparison with the opening in the neck 22 of the bottle thereby allowing control over the amount of fluid dispensed from the bottle 20. The fluid may be dispensed from the bottle 20 in a jet. In the example illustrated in the figures, the nib 32 comprises a stalk that extends away from a base of the stopper 30.

The stopper 30 may include a seal to close the opening 24 of the neck 22. For example, the stopper 30 may include a sealing flange 34 that is inserted into the opening 24 of the neck 22 The sealing flange 20 is compressed against the inside of the portion of bottle 20 wall that forms the neck 22 thereby preventing fluid leaving the bottle 20 other than via the nib 32. It will be understood that other sealing features may be implemented instead. For example, a compressible gasket may be used on the underside of the stopper 20 to seal against the rim of the neck 22. In certain examples, a ridge 25 may be provided on the outside neck 22 over which a wall of the stopper 30 may be pushed to retain the stopper 30 and maintain a compressive force on the implemented sealing feature.

The stopper 30 comprises a lip 36 that allows the stopper 30 to be levered off, or levered out of the opening 24 of, the neck 22 of the bottle 30. As described further below, a catch 46 is provided on the cap 40 of the storage container 10. The catch 46 is to engage with the lip 36 so that a force can be exerted through the lip 36 by a user to lever the stopper 30 from the bottle 20. So that the catch can engage with the lip 36, the lip is separated or spaced from the neck 22 of the bottle 20. The separation provides room for the catch 46 to engage with the lip 36. In the illustrated example, the lip 36 overhangs the neck 22 and a gap is provided between the neck 22 and the lip 36 so that the catch 46 can engage with the lip 36. A detailed illustration of the lip 36 is provided in Figure 6, which is described further below. Removing the stopper 30 from the bottle 30 by exerting force on the lip 36 through the catch 46 allows a user to have controlled access to the bottle 20 thereby permitting the user to modify or add to the contents of the bottle 20 without spillage or causing damage to the storage container 10.

The cap 40 is used to close the storage container 10, for instance when a user no longer wishes to dispense fluid from the nib 32 - or modify or add to the contents of the bottle 20. The cap 40 is shaped to cover and fit over the stopper 30 and, in this example, the neck 22 of the bottle 20. The cap 40 therefore has a complementary shape to the stopper 30 and the neck 22 of the bottle 20. In some examples, the cap 40 comprises a bung or pin that plugs the outlet in the nib 32 when storage container 10 is fully assembled thereby preventing fluid stored in the bottle 20 being dispensed.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the cap 40 comprises a tip 42 that is located distally from the bottle 20 when the cap 30 is assembled to the bottle 20. In the examples illustrated, the cap 30 comprises a tapered portion 44 that begins part way along the length of the cap 40. The tapered portion 44 narrows the cap 40 towards the tip 42. The tapered portion 40 may be conic in shape or bell-shaped. In one example, the remaining portion cap 40. It will be understood that alternative gripping surfaces may be provided, such as a knurled surface.

As mentioned above, the cap 40 comprises the catch 46, which is to engage with the lip 36 of the stopper 30 so that a force can be exerted through the lip 36 by a user to lever the stopper 30 from the bottle 20. In the example shown in Figures 1 to 3, the catch 46 comprises a groove in the outer surface of the cap 40 near to the tip 42. The groove provides a ledge that, as can be seen in Figures 4, and 9 to 11, can engage with the lip 36 of the stopper 36. It will be understood that alternative catch configurations may be implemented. For instance, a ridge or rib may protrude from the surface of the cap 40, for example, near the tip 42. A further implementation of a catch is illustrated in Figure 7 below.

Whilst Figure 1 illustrates the storage container 10 in a disassembled state, Figure 2 illustrates the storage container 10 when stopper 30 has been secured to the bottle 20, for instance after a user has modified the contents of the bottle 20. In the examples shown, the neck 22 of the bottle 20 comprises a thread 28 onto which the cap 40 is twistable, as indicated by arrow T in Figure 2, thereby allowing the cap 40 to be removably attached to the bottle 20 and the stopper 30. It will be understood that other suitable attachment methods may be employed, for example a press fit or the like, that allows the cap 40 to be pressed over the stopper 30 and/or neck 22 of the bottle 20. In Figure 1, the cap 40 includes a tamper-evident band 49 or skirt. After the bottle 20 is first filled with fluid during manufacturing, the cap 40 is assembled to the stopper 30 and the bottle 20 and the tamper-evident band 49 is pushed over a retaining ring 29 on the neck 22 of the bottle 20. The join between the tamper-evident band 49 is frangible. In Figure 2, which shows cap 40 separated from the bottle 20 neck 22, the tamper- evident band 49 has been detached and retained by the ring 29 on the neck 22 of the bottle 20 when the cap 40 was twisted off the thread 28 of the bottle 20. Figure 3 illustrates the storage container 10 in a completely assembled state, for example immediately after manufacturing is complete. Figure 4 is a illustrates the storage container 10 in use. The cap 40 has been removed from the stopper 30 and the catch 46 is engaged with the lip 36 so that a force can be exerted through the lip 36 by a user to lever the stopper 30 from the bottle 20.

Figure 5 illustrates the tip 42 region of one example of the cap 40. In this profile view of the tapered portion 44 of the cap 40, the catch 46 comprising a groove and the ledge that it defines are illustrated in detail. In this implementation, the groove is provided on one side of the tip 42 of the cap 40 only. An alternative implementation of a catch 46 is shown in Figures 7 and 8. The catch 46 illustrated in Figure 7 also comprises a groove and thereby defines ledge that can engage with the lip 36 of the stopper 36, in use. In Figure 7, the groove circumscribes an entire circumference of the tip 32. This arrangement allows a user to use the cap 40 in any orientation thereby avoiding the need to line a catch on the cap 40 up with the lip 36 when levering the stopper from the neck 22 of the bottle 20. Figure 8 illustrates the cap 40 shown in Figure 7 in use with the catch 46 engaged with the lip 36.

Figure 6 illustrates a detailed view of the relative position of the lip 36 to the neck 22 of the bottle 20. In the example shown, the lip 36 overhangs the neck 22 by a distance d and a gap g is provided between the neck 22 and the lip 36. This spacing between the lip 36 and the neck 22 allows the catch 46 to engage with the lip 36, in use. In this example both an overhang and a gap are provided. However, it will be understood that the lip 36 may be spaced away from the neck 22 only by overhanging the neck 22 by a distance d or the lip 36 may be spaced away from the neck only by a gap g provided between the neck and the lip.

Figure 6 also illustrates that, in some examples of the storage container 10, the neck 22 of the bottle may be provided with a depression 23. The depression 23 is an increase in the gap and/or overhang in one location around the circumference (or perimeter) of the neck 22 of the bottle. For instance, the depression 23 may be located at one point on the rim of the neck 22. As shown in Figure 6, the depression may be semi-circular or semi- spherical in shape. The depression 23 permits a user to easily locate the catch 46 against the neck 22 and the lip 36 when they wish to lever the stopper 30 from the neck of the bottle 20. The depression 23 is also illustrated Figure 2 and Figure 10.

Turning to Figures 9 to 11, which illustrate how a user may use the cap 40 to lever the stopper from the bottle 20. Figure 9 shows area F, indicated with a dashed line, where a user may place a finger or other part of a hand under the cap to ensure the catch remains engaged with the lip and exert force to the lip 36 through the catch 46 to lift the stopper from the neck 22 of the bottle 20. Figure 11 shows the resulting removal of the stopper 30 from the neck 22 of the bottle 20.

As illustrated by the dashed line in Figure 9, the tapered portion 44 of the cap 40 assists with the user locating their finger and can make the operation of levering the stopper 30 from the neck 22 of the bottle more comfortable. Figure 10 illustrates how, in some examples, the tip 42 of cap 40 against the neck 22 of the bottle 20 may act as a fulcrum about which the cap can be rotated. In some cases, the user may use a finger or other part of a hand located under the cap 40 as a fulcrum about which the cap 40 can be rotated to apply a removal force to the lip 36. A user may employ one or other of these fulcrum positions or a combination of both in one operation to lever the stopper 30 from the neck 22 of the bottle 20.

The components of the storage container 20 may be manufactured from any suitable materials. For example, the bottle 20, stopper 30, and cap 40 may be manufactured from any suitable plastics. In some examples, the bottle 20 may be a glass bottle. It will be understood that other materials may be employed to manufacture the storage container 20

The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the invention. Further embodiments of the invention are envisaged. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A storage container comprising: a receptacle for storing a fluid, the receptacle comprising a neck, the neck defining an opening through which the receptacle is tillable with, or emptiable of, a fluid; a removable closure to seal the opening defined by the neck, wherein the closure comprises a lip, wherein the lip is spaced away from the neck of the receptacle when the closure is secured to the neck; and a removable cap to close the storage container, the cap shaped to fit over the closure, wherein the cap comprises a catch configured to engage with the lip of the closure when the cap is removed, thereby allowing a user to engage the catch with the lip, apply a force to the lip, and lever the closure from the receptacle.

2. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the removable closure comprises a dispenser through which fluid stored in the receptacle may be dispensed.

3. The storage container according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the dispenser comprises a nozzle through which the fluid may be ejected.

4. The storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, when the removable cap covers the removable closure, the dispenser is blocked by the cap to prevent fluid being dispensed.

5. The storage container according to claim 4, wherein the removable cap comprises a bung to plug the dispenser when the removable cap covers the removable closure.

6. The storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lip is spaced away from the neck by overhanging the neck.

7. The storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lip is spaced away from the neck by a gap provided between the neck and the lip.

8. The storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the catch is located at a tip of the removable cap.

9. The storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the catch comprises a groove into an outer surface of the removable cap or comprises a ridge that protrudes from the outer surface of the removable cap.

10. The storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the removable cap comprises a tapered portion in which the cap narrows towards the tip.

11. The storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the receptacle is filled with a vaping fluid.

12. A stopper for sealing a bottle having a neck, the neck defining an opening through which the bottle may be filled with, or emptied of, a fluid, the stopper comprising: a nib defining an outlet through which fluid stored in the bottle is dispensable; a seal to close the opening of the neck; and a lip, the lip spaced away from the neck of the bottle and arranged to engage with a catch of a cap, the catch configured to, in use, exert a force, applied to the cap by a user, through the lip to lever the stopper from the neck of the bottle, the cap shaped to fit over the stopper and, when covering the stopper, plug the outlet to prevent fluid stored in the bottle being dispensed.

13. The stopper according to claim 12, wherein the seal comprises a sealing flange for insertion into the neck.

14. The stopper according to claim 12, wherein the seal comprises a compressible gasket.

15. The stopper according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the lip overhangs the neck and/or a gap is provided between the neck and the lip.

16. A cap for a storage container, the cap shaped to fit over a stopper sealing an opening of a neck of a bottle, the cap comprising: a catch located at a tip of the cap, the catch arranged to engage with a lip on the stopper and configured to, in use, exert a force, applied to the cap by a user, to the lip to lever the stopper from the neck of the bottle.

17. The cap according to claim 16, wherein the cap comprises a bung to plug an outlet in the stopper and prevent fluid stored in the bottle being dispensed.

18. The cap according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the cap comprises a tapered portion that begins part way along the length of the cap and narrows the cap towards the tip.

19. The cap according to claim 18, wherein the tapered portion is conical in shape or bell-shaped.

20. The cap according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the catch comprises a groove in an outer surface of the cap.

21. The cap according to claim 20, wherein the groove circumscribes a circumference of the tip.

22. The cap according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the catch comprises a ridge protruding from an outer surface of the cap.

23. A method comprising: filling a bottle with a fluid, the bottle having a neck defining an opening through which the bottle is tillable; sealing the neck of the bottle with a stopper according to any one of claims 12 to 15; and covering the stopper with a cap according to any one of claims 16 to 22.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein filling comprises filling the bottle with a vaping fluid.

25. A method of using a storage container, the storage container comprising a bottle, a stopper according to any one of claims 12 to 15, and a cap according to any one of claims 16 to 22, wherein the method comprises: removing the cap from the stopper and/or bottle; engaging the catch of the cap with the lip of the stopper; and applying a force through the catch to the lip to lift the stopper from the bottle.