GB2238288A

GB2238288A - Non-refillable device

Info

Publication number: GB2238288A
Application number: GB9025437A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Burns Cruickshank
Original assignee: Daniel Montgomery and Son Ltd
Current assignee: Daniel Montgomery and Son Ltd
Priority date: 1989-11-24
Filing date: 1990-11-22
Publication date: 1991-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 2010-11-22
Also published as: GB8926581D0; GB9025437D0; GB2238288B

Abstract

The invention relates to a non-refillable device for use with a liquid container, and particularly suitable for use with a bottle of spirits. For maximum effect, it should be impossible to remove the device without damaging it or the bottle, thereby providing evidence of tampering. The device comprises a one-way valve device 10, which may be secured at its top edge to a support member comprising a liquid outlet 22 and a sleevular cowl 20 which surrounds the neck portion (4) of the bottle and is bonded thereto. A sealing washer 34 is interposed between the upper part of the neck portion 4 and the cowl 20, the washing being sealingly compressed when the cowl is pressed axially against the neck portion 4 and secured thereto by an annular layer 36 of bonding material. Surface grooves and ridges are provided in one or both of the cowl and neck portion providing keying of the bond. <IMAGE>

Description

NON-REFILLABLE DEVICE The present invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to a non-refillable device adapted to be fitted to a bottle neck portion.

For various reasons it may be necessary to ensure a used container such as a bottle is not re-filled with a replacement quantity of liquid, the characteristics and quality of which may differ from that of the original contents.

Devices to prevent refilling of bottles, for example bottles to contain alcoholic drinks particularly spirits, are well known but although such devices normally make it extremely difficult to re-introduce liquid into the bottle to replace the original contents, such devices have suffered from the disadvantage that they are capable of removal from the bottle with more or less difficulty.

For maximum effect, it should be impossible, once the device is fitted, for it to be removed without breaking the bottle, or the device.

The invention provides a non-refillable security device for use in the prevention of tampering with liquid containers, comprising a liquid container having an outlet in the form of a tubular neck portion, a one-way valve device received within the tubular neck portion, a support means including a sleeve portion adapted to embrace an external surface of the tubular neck portion so as to hold the valve device captive within the neck portion, said support means also including a pouring portion adapted to receive a closure cap, the construction and arrangement being such that in assembly of th support means around the neck portion, pressure is applied to ensure a liquid-tight seal therebetween, said seal, after the pressure is removed, being maintained by the presence of a bonded zone between the support means and the neck portion.

Advantageously, the bonded zone may comprise an interlayer of bonding material. In an example of a device according to the invention, a plurality of irregularities, such as grooves and/or ridges may be provided upon confronting surface of the sleeve portion and/or neck portion in order to provide key means for said bonding material.

Preferably, the seal may comprise a compressible or deformable annular sealing member, the resilience of which is overcome by the sleeve portion firmly positioned about the neck portion.

The invention further provides a method for fixing a non-refillable security closure means to a tubular outlet of a liquid container, said closure means comprising a sleeve or cowl member adapted to embrace the tubular outlet of the container and an extension portion adapted to receive a closure cap, comprising the steps of assembling the closure means components including a one-way valve device to be received within the tubular outlet, applying an annular or part-annular deposit of bonding material to one or both of an internal surface of the sleeve or cowl and an external circumferential surface of the outlet, submitting the closure means and the container to a capping step in which the closure means is pressed onto the outlet with a compression force sufficient to render effective a liquid-tight seal means between the closure means and the outlet, the liquid-tightness of the seal means being maintained after removal of the cpmpression force by means of a bond formed by the bonding material between the closure means and the external circumferential surface of the outlet.

There will now be described with reference to the drawing an example of a non-refillable security device according to the invention. It will be understood that the description is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

The drawing shows a longitudinal section through the security device.

A container 2 is provided with a tubular outlet in the form of a neck portion 4 having a frusto-conical external surface 6 in which is formed a circumferential groove 8.

Received within the tubular neck portion 4 is a one-way valve device 10, comprising a valve seat member 12, a valve closure member 14, a weight 16 and a perforated weight-centring means 18. The device 10 is secured at its top edge portion to a sleeve member or cowl 20 adapted to surround. and embrace the neck portion 4, the cowl 20 having an extension portion 22 which is provided with an external screw-thread at 24 and a pouring lip 26.

A closure cap 28 is provided which engages with the thread 24. A frangible security ring is provided at 30 and the skirt-like cowl 20 extends downwardly about the neck portion 4 to a shoulder 32, lying substantially flush therewith.

A resilient corrugated sealing washer 34 is provided between the upper portion of the container neck 4 and the cowl 20 and provides a liquid-tight seal when in a compressed condition as shown.

A deposit of bonding material 36, in the present example an adhesive cement suitable for bonding the plastics material of the cowl 20 to the glass of the neck portion 4, is applied to the neck portion 4 so as to form an annulus shown in broken line. It will be observed that the material of the annulus 34 enters the groove 8 in a keying action. Further keying effect is achieved by provision of annular or part-annular ridges 38 on the internal surface of the cowl 20. Additionally, vertical grooves or ridges (not shown) may be provided either or both of the confronting surfaces to assist in resisting torque force.

The device is assembled as follows: The parts comprising the closure means are pre-assembled so that the one-way valve device 10 is attached to the cowl 20 and the security ring 30 is positioned between the cowl 20 and the cap 28, which is firmly received on the thread 24. An annular deposit of bonding material 36 is applied to the surface 6 of the neck portion 4 and the closure means positioned in the region of the groove 8 over the neck portion 4 by a capping machine (not shown) which applies a compression force axially of the tubular neck portion 4 to ensure the correct positioning of the cowl 20 to trap and compress the sealing washer 34.

As the cowl 20 is pressed downwardly into position, the bonding material 36 is caused to spread from the region of the groove 8 to at least partially fill the gap between the cowl and the surface 6 with a thin bonding layer. Upon setting, this layer maintains the cowl firmly and immovably secured to the container with the seal 34 trapped in its compressed condition.

Attempts to remove the cowl will therefore result in visible damage, evidence to a potential use that tampering has taken place.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A non-refillable security device for use in the prevention of tampering with liquid containers, comprising a liquid container having an outlet in the form of a tubular neck portion, a one-way valve device received within the tubular neck portion, a support means including a sleeve portion adapted to embrace an external surface of the tubular neck portion so as to hold the valve device captive within the neck portion, said support means also including a pouring portion adapted to receive a closure cap, the construction and arrangement being such that in assembly of th support means around the neck portion, pressure is applied to ensure a liquid-tight seal therebetween, said seal, after the pressure is removed, being maintained by the presence of a bonded zone between the support means and the neck portion.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bonded zone comprises an interlayer of bonding material.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bonding material is an adhesive cement.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support means comprises a sleeve or cowl portion bonded to the external surface of the neck portion, said cowl portion being integral with or fixedly secured to the extension portion.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, insofar as said claim is dependent on claim 2, wherein annular or part-annular grooves are formed in a or each confronting surface of the sleeve or cowl portion and the tubular outlet so as to enable bonding material to enter and solidify in said grooves.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal means comprises a compressible or deformable annular sealing member, the resilience of which is overcome by the cowl member when firmly positioned about the neck portion.

7. A method for. fixing a non-refillable security closure means to a tubular outlet of a liquid container, said closure means comprising a sleeve or cowl member adapted to embrace the tubular outlet of the container and an extension portion adapted to receive a closure cap, comprising the steps of assembling the closure means components including a one-way valve device to be received within the tubular outlet, applying an annular or part-annular deposit of bonding material to one or both of an internal surface of the sleeve or cowl and an external circumferential surface of the outlet, submitting the closure means and the container to a capping step in which the closure means is pressed onto the outlet with a compression force sufficient to render effective a liquid-tight seal means between the closure means and the outlet, the liquid-tightness of the seal means being maintained after removal of the compression force by means of a bond formed by the bonding material between the closure means and the external circumferential surface of the outlet.

8. A non-refillable security device for use in the prevention of tampering with liquid containers, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to an as shown in the drawing.

9. A method of fixing a non-refillable security closure to a tubular outlet of a liquid container, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawing.