GB2260528A - Fitment preventing refilling of a bottle - Google Patents

Abstract

A fitment 2 for a bottle (1, fig 1) includes a closure 5, normally hold in a closed horizontal position when the bottle is upright in order to prevent unauthorised filling and automatically pivoted to an open position by the outward flow of fluid as the bottle is tilted. Introduction of a glue or the like into the fitment 2 and subsequent draining permanently seals the bottle (1, fig 1) by the glue sealing gap 8 and holding the closure 5 closed. A housing of the fitment may have a one-way valve 3 below the closure 5. The valve 3 may have two chambers one of which, 16, fills with liquid during illicit filling to damp valve motion and one, 15, containing air to act as a float. A weight in the form of ball 9 holds valve 3 in its closed position. Valve 3 is also provided with a vacuum break in the form of a needle valve 17, comprising a needle 18 and a housing 19, allowing air to enter the bottle during pouring should a partial vacuum exist in the bottle. <IMAGE>

Description

A NON-REFILLABLE FITMENT FOR A BOTTLE The present invention relates to a fitment for a bottle or similar container, in particular, a non-refillable fitment which hinders tampering.

It is known to provide bottles with fitments which prevent refilling of the bottle once the original contents have been emptied or partially depleted. However, typical fitments are still subject to various unauthorised refilling techniques. This problem is particularly prevalent in the bottled drinks industry where tampering of bottles containing spirits and the like is of great concern because the counterfeiter will often introduce a product of inferior quality and sell it as the original product.

One such refilling technique involves the introduction of a glue or sticky solution to flood the fitment whilst in an open position. The bottle is then inverted to allow excess glue/sticky solution to flow away leaving a coating in the fitment which will set and hold the fitment open to allow the introduction of a counterfeit product.

Alternatively, water is introduced and then frozen whilst the fitment is in an open position.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a non-refillable fitment for a bottle for outward flow of fluid wherein a closing means is provided within the fitment, the closing means being normally in a position in which the bottle is closed in order to prevent unauthorised filling and being automatically moveable to an open position by the flow of fluid only in the direction through the fitment from the bottle whereby the closing means is constructed and arranged so that the introduction of a glue or the like into the fitment and subsequent draining of the glue would permanently seal the bottle by the glue holding the closing means permanently in its closed position.

The advantage of such a fitment is that it prevents glue or the like from being introduced to the fitment to seal it in an open position because as soon as the excess glue has been drained from the fitment (i.e fluid flow ceases) the closing means will assume its closed position and seal in that position when the glue sets.

Preferably, the dimensions of the closing means are such that the bottle is not completely sealed when in the closed position but the coating of glue or the like around the closing means in its closed position would seal the bottle.

If the dimensions are carefully chosen the closing means will have adequate clearance for movement between the open and closed positions but will be sealed in its closed position by a coating of glue or the like.

Preferably, the closing means pivots between the open and closed positions.

Preferably, the closing means is an annular disc moveable on a stem.

Preferably, the closing means is located adjacent to the mouth portion of the bottle but is not accessible from outside the bottle.

With the closing means located at the mouth of the bottle it is easier to ensure that even the introduction of a small amount of glue or the like would seal the bottle.

Preferably, the fitment further comprises a one-way valve means having a housing with a first chamber which fills with fluid during forced filling thereby damping movement of the valve.

Preferably, the one-way valve means further comprises a second chamber which contains air and acts as a float.

Preferably, there is further provided a vacuum break means which allows air to enter the bottle when a partial vacuum exists to facilitate opening of the one-way valve means to allow outward flow of fluid.

The present invention also provides a non-refillable fitment for a bottle for outward flow of fluid comprising a housing for location within the bottle neck, the housing having a one-way valve means for outward flow of fluid and a closing means located between the one-way valve means and the mouth of the bottle wherein the closing means can pivot automatically between a normally closed position which prevents unauthorised filling to an open position as soon as fluid flows out from the bottle so that the introduction of glue or the like into the fitment and subsequent draining of the glue would permanently seal the bottle by holding the closing means in a permanently closed position.

A preferred embodiment 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 shows how a fitment according to the present invention would be located in the neck of a bottle; Figure 2 depicts a preferred embodiment of the fitment according to the present invention when closed; Figure 3 is a view in direction A of the fitment in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a view in direction B of the fitment in Figure 2; Figure 5 depicts the fitment in Figure 2 when open; Figure 6 depicts the flow of fluid through the fitment in Figure 2 when fully open.

Figure 1 shows how a fitment 2 according to the present invention would be located in a bottle 1.

Figure 2 depicts a preferred embodiment of a fitment, generally indicated by reference numeral 2, according to the present invention. The fitment 2 comprises a one-way valve means, generally indicated by reference numeral 3, for outward flow of fluid from the bottle. The one-way valve means 3 is slidable within a housing 4 from a closed position (Figure 2) to an open position (Figures 5 and 6).

The fitment 2 also comprises a closing means 5, which is moveable on an axial stem 6, and a boss 23 in which stem 6 is located. The central boss 23 is provided with eight spaced ribs 27 between which fluid passes as it is poured from the bottle. When the bottle 1 in which fitment 2 is placed is upright, the closing means 5 will fall under gravity and rest at the base of the stem 6 where it branches into a number of arms 7. When the bottle 1 is inverted so that it is substantially vertical the closing means 5 will fall into a closed position shown in Figure 2 and sit in the mouth of the bottle 1. There is a small clearance 8 around the closing means 5 which is sufficient to allow fluid to flow from the bottle 1 when fully inverted.If, however, the bottle 1 is tilted such that it is below the horizontal and fluid pours outwardly, the closing means 5 will take up the tilted position indicated by broken lines in Figure 2 allowing fluid to flow from the bottle and air to enter the bottle. However, as soon as fluid flow stops the closing means 5 will assume its closed position again.

The closing means 5 is intended to prevent tampering of the kind where a glue or sticky substance is introduced to flood the fitment 2 when the one-way valve means 3 is in an open position.

Excess glue will then be poured from the fitment whilst valve means 3 is open leaving a residue around the moving parts which will eventually set to hold valve means 3 open. However, as soon as the glue stops pouring from the fitment, the closing means 5 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 5 will perform in a similar manner if water is introduced and subsequently frozen to hold the one-way valve means 3 in an open positon because the water around the closing means 5 will also freeze and thus seal the fitment.

The fitment 2 is provided with a sprung lip 25 on its external periphery to locate it in the required position.

The one-way valve means 3 depicted is a variation on the valve arrangement described in the applicant's co-pending U.K. patent application No.

9106578.9. The one-way valve arrangement in Figure 2 is shown in a closed position where a ball 9 pushes the one-way valve means 3 towards the end 10 of the fitment. In this position a soft seal gasket 11 is forced against the end 10 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 12 ensures that the ball 9 will roll downwards towards the one-way valve 3 to close it. It is only when the bottle is tilted below the horizontal that ball 9 will roll over the conical surface 12 and seat in the arms 7 on the axial stem 6. Fluid will then force the one-way valve means 3 towards the end 13 of the fitment and the soft seal gasket 11 will be pulled away from its sealing position with end 10. As explained earlier, closing means 5 will assume the tilted position shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5 depicts the fitment when the one-way valve means 3 is fully open and fluid is able to pour from the bottle. It can be seen that the one-way valve means 3 comprises a fixed guide 14 and a slidable chamber 15. The chamber 15 contains air and acts as a float so that if an attempt is made to fill the bottle when inverted, chamber 15 will move upwards to close the one-way valve means 3. The space 16 between the chamber 15 and guide 14 will fill with fluid via a narrow clearance 26 during forced filling. When there is fluid in space 16 it will then act as a damping mechanism if an attempt is made to fill by vibrating the one-way valve means because fluid will not be able to leave space 16 quickly having only an exit via narrow clearance 26.

The fitment depicted in Figures 2 to 5 also includes a means for preventing the sealing of the one-way valve means 3 when a partial vacuum exists in the bottle. The means for breaking a partial vacuum is a variation on the arrangement disclosed in the applicant's co-pending U.K. patent application No.

number to be added when known.

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 2 and 5 depict means for breaking a partial vacuum in the form of a needle valve 17. The needle valve 17 comprises a needle 18 slidable within a housing 19.

When there is no partial vacuum the needle valve 17 sits in the position shown in Figures 2 and 5 with the needle 18 sealing the outlet 20 in housing 19.

When a partial vacuum exists the soft seal gasket 11 will be pulled against end 10 and will flex slightly until it abuts a support 21. The support 21 comprises a central annular portion 24 from which extend eight ribs 22 attached to the end 10 of the fitment. The support 21 will ensure that the needle valve 17 is not pulled into the bottle interior by the partial vacuum and will also prevent a tamperer from pushing the needle valve 17 into the bottle interior.

If the bottle is then inverted the needle 18 will fall under gravity within housing 19 and clear the outlet 20. In this position, air will enter the interior of the bottle through housing 19 until the pressure difference is reduced between each side of the soft seal gasket 11 at which point the one-way valve will be released to allow fluid to pour outwardly. The dimensions and weight of needle 17 are critical to its operation since it must not be held by the partial vacuum in the same manner as gasket 11. Specific examples are disclosed in UK patent application No No...............

Figures 3 and 4 are views in directions A and B respectively in Figure 2.

Figure 6 depicts the fitment when tilted below the horizontal so that both the valve 3 and closing means 5 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.

It should be noted that although the present invention has been described as being incorporated into a specific one-way valve arrangement with a vacuum break means, it is envisaged that it could equally be incorporated into any fitment which is subject to tampering by the introduction of a glue or the like to hold the fitment in an open position whilst a counterfeit product is introduced.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS:

1. A non-refillable fitment for a bottle for outward flow of fluid wherein a closing means is provided within the fitment, the closing means being normally in a position in which the bottle is closed in order to prevent unauthorised filling and being automatically moveable to an open position by the flow of fluid only in the direction through the fitment from the bottle whereby the closing means is constructed and arranged so that the introduction of a glue or the like into the fitment and subsequent draining of the glue would permanently seal the bottle by the glue holding the closing means permanently in its closed position.

2. A fitment as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the dimensions of the closing means are such that the bottle is not completely sealed when in the closed position but the coating of glue or the like around the closing means in its closed position would seal the bottle.

3. A fitment as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the closing means pivots between the open and closed positions.

4. A fitment as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the closing means is an annular disc moveable on a stem.

5. A fitment as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the closing means is located adjacent to the mouth portion of the bottle but is not accessible from outside the bottle.

6. A fitment as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a one-way valve means having a housing with a first chamber which fills with fluid during forced filling thereby damping movement of the valve.

7. A fitment as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the one-way valve means further comprises a second chamber which contains air and acts as a float.

8. A fitment as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein there is also provided a vacuum break means which allows air to enter the bottle when a partial vacuum exists to facilitate opening of the one-way valve means to allow outward flow of fluid.

9. A non-refillable fitment for a bottle for outward flow of fluid comprising a housing for location within the bottle neck, the housing having a one-way valve means for outward flow of fluid and a closing means located between the one-way valve means and the mouth of the bottle wherein the closing means can pivot automatically between a normally closed position which prevents unauthorised filling to an open position as soon as fluid flows out from the bottle so that the introduction of glue or the like into the fitment and subsequent draining of the glue would permanently seal the bottle by holding the closing means in a permanently closed position.

10. A non-refillable fitment for abottle substantially as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.