GB2376226A

GB2376226A - Dispensing device with contaminant guard

Info

Publication number: GB2376226A
Application number: GB0113968A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick James Shea
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-08
Filing date: 2001-06-08
Publication date: 2002-12-11
Also published as: GB0113968D0

Abstract

A device for dispensing a beverage, comprises attachment means 7 for sealable interfacing with a bottle opening, an aperture 3 for dispensing a beverage from the bottle, said aperture 3 including means for preventing contaminants from entering the bottle via the opening. The attachment means 7 may be complementary in shape to that of a bottle opening, and the device may be shaped to fit around a bottle opening. The attachment means 7 may include a circumferential lip, shaped to fit around the lip of a bottle, the device may be shaped to fit into a bottle opening, and the attachment means 7 may include a flange 9 shaped to contact the inner circumference of a bottle neck. The attachment means 7 may include surfaces in contact with both an interior and an exterior portion of the bottle opening, and may be provided with a thread means for interfacing with a bottle neck. Closure means may be provided to close the aperture 3, and the means for preventing contamination may be provided by a perforated barrier 13, which may be an integral part of the device or may be removably insertable into the aperture 3. The perforations may be in the form of a regular or irregular array of openings, and may be provided with a mesh layer and/or a filter layer, the perforations may be of a shape and size to allow unimpeded flow of a beverage, whilst preventing from entering the bottle. The means for preventing contaminants from entering the bottle may be provided by a valve, which may have a gate member 313, which is displaceable between a first configuration in which the aperture 3 is closed and a second position in which the aperture 3 is open. The gate member 313 may be displaceable under pressure or under gravity, and may be resiliently biassed towards the first position.

Description

DISPENSING DEVICE The present invention relates to bottles, in particular to a device for use with drinking bottles.

The use of bottles for selling and serving drinks is popular and convenient in shops as well as in pubs and bars. Drinks stored in individual bottles have a longer shelf life than drinks continually dispensed from a larger bottle or barrel, and also benefit from a lower risk of contamination, whether accidental or malicious, during transit and storage. Furthermore, the selling of drinks in bottles is favoured by manufacturers as a way of increasing brand awareness. Bottles and their labels are often designed to be distinctive in appearance in order to promote a particular brand.

By far the most frequently used material for bottles is glass, this being favoured over plastic for reasons of flavour and appearance.

Nevertheless, the growing use of bottles, especially glass bottles, entails a number of drawbacks, particularly when in public places. A major disadvantage of glass is that it is fragile and may shatter to produce dangerous splinters which might not be immediately evident to a person serving the bottle or drinking from it. Glass bottles might also be misused, their prevalence in bars and nightclubs making them readily available as weapons. The neck of the bottle is likely to break most easily, causing accidental or intentional injury.

All bottles, whether of glass, plastic or other material, pose a further risk in terms of hygiene, especially if the drink is consumed directly from the bottle. Whilst the contents of the bottle are subject to stringent sterilisation procedures during manufacture, the bottles themselves are often exposed to dirty or dusty conditions during transit and storage. Moreover, bottles are commonly stored in cellars where they may be exposed to diseases carried by rats or other vermin. Whilst the bottle is sealed and its contents are protected against contamination, the outside of the bottle, especially the neck of the bottle, is readily exposed to contamination.

Whilst strict hygiene standards must be maintained for cups and glasses served in public places, no such legislation exists for drinks served in bottles. Moreover, customers often prefer to drink a beverage directly from the bottle rather than to pour it into a glass. Repeated handling of a bottle and drinking directly from the bottle potentially transfers any contaminants from around its neck directly to the user, thus causing the risk of spreading diseases.

A further problem with all drinks consumed in public places is that of malicious contamination, or"spiking"of drinks. This problem has become widespread in recent years and its implications have received significant media coverage. Bottled drinks are a common target for spiking

by the addition of, for example, a drug in tablet form which dissolves in the drink and is then unwittingly consumed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which addresses at least some of the abovementioned problems.

According to the invention in one aspect of there is provided a device for dispensing a beverage, including attachment means for sealably interfacing with a bottle opening, and an aperture for dispensing a beverage from the bottle therethrough, said aperture including means for preventing contaminants from entering the bottle via the opening.

Preferably, the attachment means is complementary in shape to that of a bottle opening. It may be shaped to fit around a bottle opening, or alternatively it may be shaped to fit into a bottle opening. In the former case, the attachment means may include a circumferential lip shaped to fit around the lip of a bottle. In the latter case, the attachment means may include a flange shaped to contact the inner circumference of a bottleneck. Alternatively, the attachment means may include surfaces contactable with both an interior and an exterior portion of a bottle opening.

Alternatively or additionally, the attachment means may comprise a thread means for interfacing with a bottleneck.

Preferably, the means of attachment is a resilient means, to ensure a snug seal with the bottle. Preferably, the device is removably attachable to the bottle via the attachment means.

The device may include a body portion. The body portion is preferably substantially tubular in shape. More preferably it is cylindrical in shape. Alternatively, it may be frusto-conical. Other novelty shapes may also be envisaged for aesthetic impact and/or for ease of dispensing the drink.

Preferably, the aperture is circular in shape, but other shapes may also be envisaged within the scope of the invention. Preferably, the aperture is so shaped to facilitate drinking directly therefrom. Preferably, the aperture is shaped to resemble that of a bottleneck.

Preferably, the aperture is circumferenced by a lip. This will facilitate drinking of the beverage via the device and will enhance user comfort and enjoyment whilst drinking. A closure means, for example a cap, may be provided to close the aperture. The closure means may be entirely removable or may be attached to the device, for example by way of a hinge. The closure means will prevent spillage from the bottle during further storage and/or transit, and will also help to retain the qualities of the drink, especially in the case of carbonated drinks.

Preferably, the means for preventing contaminants

from entering the bottle comprises a perforated barrier.

The perforated barrier may be an integral part of the device, or it may be produced separately. In the latter case, it may be removably insertable into the aperture.

Perforations may take the form of a regular or an irregular array of openings allowing a beverage to be dispensed from the bottle therethrough, but preventing entry of particulates from entering the bottle via the bottle opening. The barrier also serves to prevent the exit of particulate matter contained within the bottle, for example, fragments of glass produced during transit or as a result of opening the bottle.

The perforated barrier may comprise a mesh layer.

Alternatively or additionally it may comprise a filter means. The perforations are preferably of a shape and size to allow unimpeded flow of a beverage therethrough whilst preventing entry of splinters or tablets into the bottle.

The barrier is preferably located within the body portion.

The means for preventing contaminants from entering the bottle may alternatively or additionally comprise a valve. In a preferred embodiment, the valve may comprise a gate member. Preferably, the gate member is displaceable between a first configuration in which the aperture is closed, and a second configuration in which the aperture is open. Preferably the gate member is displaceable under pressure to adopt the second configuration, for example

under gravity or under pressure of liquid when the bottle is tipped sideways for drinking or pouring. Preferably, the gate member is resiliently biased towards the first configuration. The gate member may be hinged. Preferably, the gate member is hingedly attached to an interior region of the device. The gate member may be removable. The gate member may be perforated.

The device according to the invention may be made from any suitable material or combination of materials, for example from plastics, glass, porcelain, fibreglass, metal, wood, rubber etc. A preferred material is plastic which may be moulded or extruded. The device may be produced as a single extrudate or moulding, or alternatively be assembled from composite parts of the same or of different materials. The choice of materials will be dictated by cost, customer preferences, and by the type of bottle and type of drink for which the device is intended. Plastics are preferred, for example, due to their low cost, durability and the range of colours available for manufacture. Glass, however, is preferred for optimum flavour.

It is intended that a device according to the invention be offered to customers purchasing drinks in bars and shops. Drinkers will be encouraged to use the device for reasons of hygiene and safety, and the device may also have novelty appeal. A drinker will enjoy a reduced risk

of picking up disease or contamination and is less likely to be a victime of a spiked drink whilst still retaining the full enjoyment of a drink. The invention may offer a further advantage that it may be shaped to be attractive and/or more comfortable and easy to drink from than a conventional bottleneck. The invention will also be favoured by manufacturers as it will provide a means of advertising and promoting products. The device may for example bear a product logo or may carry an advertisement.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-section along A-A of the first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the invention which employs a valve.

Figure 4 is a cross-section along B-B of said second preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the valve in a first configuration.

Figure 5 is a cross-section along B-B of said second preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the valve in a second configuration.

A preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a moulded plastics article having

a cylindrical body portion 1 defining an aperture 3. An upper lip 5 circumscribes the upper edge of the body portion, providing a pouring and/or drinking surface.

Resilient attachment means 7 protrude from a lower region of the device and are shaped to fit inside the neck of a bottle (not shown), such that external abutment surface 11 contacts a portion of the inner circumference of the neck of a bottle, thereby providing a snug seal. The lower end of the body portion 1 is skirted by a circumferential flange 9 which further ensures a snug seal between the bottle and the abutment means. Alternative attachment means having different shapes are also envisaged within the scope of the invention.

Figure 2, which is a cross-section along A-A, shows a mesh barrier 13 across the aperture 3, which acts as a means for preventing contaminants from entering a bottle via the aperture 3. In the present embodiment, the mesh barrier comprises a perforated plastics ledge and is an integral part of the moulded article. Alternative embodiments, in which the mesh might be made of wire or of other material and in which the barrier might be produced separately and fitted into the aperture, are also envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

A second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 3,4 and 5. The illustrated embodiment comprises a moulded plastics article having a substantially

cylindrical body portion 31 defining an aperture 33. An upper lip 35 circumferences the upper edge of the body portion, providing a pouring and/or drinking surface. The lower edge region 38 of the body portion is shaped to provide a contact surface 311 along its inner circumference. The contact surface is shaped so as to receive and to grip the neck of a bottle (not shown in the drawings) and thus to form a salable interface with the bottleneck. The article may be removed from the bottleneck for reuse or recycling.

A disc-shaped gate member 313 is hingedly attached to the inner wall of the body portion 31 via a hinge 34.

Rotational movement about the hinge 34 allows the gate member 313 to flip between a first configuration as shown in Figure 4, and a second configuration as shown in Figure 5. In the first configuration, the gate member covers the aperture 33, preventing matter from falling into the beverage. The second configuration is adopted upon exertion of a force from below, such as the force of gravity or the forced exerted by a liquid when the article is tipped upside down or sideways, for example when the bottle to which it is attached is tipped sideways for drinking. The gate member returns to its first configuration once the bottle is held upright, thus restricting the aperture. Although not shown in this embodiment, the hinge may include a resilient biasing means

such as a spring to ensure rapid return of the gate member to its first configuration. Furthermore, the gate member may be perforated.

Whilst the present invention is illustrated by the abovedescribed specific embodiments, alternative embodiments within the scope of the invention will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A device for dispensing a beverage, including attachment means for sealably interfacing with a bottle opening, and an aperture for dispensing a beverage from the bottle therethrough, said aperture including means for preventing contaminants from entering the bottle via the opening.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the attachment means is complementary in shape to that of a bottle opening.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, the device being shaped to fit around a bottle opening.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the attachment means includes a circumferential lip shaped to fit around the lip of a bottle.

5. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, the device being shaped to fit into a bottle opening.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the attachment means includes a flange shaped to contact the inner circumference of a bottleneck.

7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment means includes surfaces contactable with both an interior and an exterior

portion of a bottle opening.

8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment means comprises a thread means for interfacing with a bottleneck.

9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment means is a resilient mean.

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, the device being removably attachable to the bottle via the attachment means.

11. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aperture is circumferenced by a lip.

12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, further including a closure means to close the aperture.

13. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for preventing contaminants from entering the bottle comprises a perforated barrier.

14. A device according to claim 13 wherein the perforated barrier is an integral part of the device.

15. A device according to claim 13 wherein the perforated barrier is removably insertable into the aperture.

16. A device according to any one of claims 13-15 wherein the perforations take the form of a regular or an irregular array of openings allowing a beverage to be dispensed from the bottle therethrough, but preventing entry of particulates from entering the bottle via the bottle opening.

17. A device according to any one of claims 13-16 wherein the perforated barrier comprises a mesh layer.

18. A device according to any one of claims 13-17 wherein the perforated barrier comprises a filter means.

19. A device according to any one of claims 13-18 wherein the the perforations are of a shape and size to allow unimpeded flow of a beverage therethrough whilst preventing entry of splinters or tablets into the bottle.

20. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the means for preventing contaminants from entering the bottle comprises a valve.

21. A device according to claim 20 wherein the valve comprises a gate member.

22. A device according to claim 21 wherein the gate member is displaceable between a first configuration in which the aperture is closed, and a second configuration in which the aperture is open.

23. A device according to claim 22 wherein the gate member is displaceable under pressure to adopt the second configuration under gravity or under pressure of liquid when the bottle is tipped sideways for drinking or pouring.

24. A device according to claim 22 or 23 wherein the gate member is resiliently biased towards the first configuration.

25. A device according to any one of claims 22-24 wherein the gate member is hinged.

26. A device according to any one of claims 22-25 wherein the gate member is hingedly attached to an interior region of the device.

27. A device according to any one of claims 22-26 wherein the gate member is removable.

28. A device according to any one of claims 22-27 wherein the gate member is perforated.

29. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.