GB2416349A

GB2416349A - A device for preventing illicit contamination of potable liquids

Info

Publication number: GB2416349A
Application number: GB0415970A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sarah Elisabeth Noakes; Gary Alan Noakes; Robin Middlemass Howie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-19
Filing date: 2004-07-19
Publication date: 2006-01-25
Also published as: GB0415970D0

Abstract

This invention related to a Protection Device 10 which can be fitted to a point-of-sale container such as a bottle or can and which prevents or makes difficult the insertion of date rape drugs, tablet, powder or liquid into the potable liquid in the point of sale container. Protection Device 10 may be so configured as to make deliberate contamination difficult due to its shape, or use of means such as Louvers 16 or grid or mesh 18. In addition, a conventional nipple-type valve, as currently used point-of sale bottles, can be used as a means of preventing deliberate contamination using tablets. Optionally, Protection Device 10 can be fitted with a Detection means 19 which warns the consumer that the potable liquid has been contaminated. In addition, a optional Reference 20 may be provided to permit the consumer to more easily appreciate that Detection means 19 is warning of contamination. The detection means 19 may be a colourimetric detector, and may change colour to indicate the presence of contaminants.

Description

A MEANS OF PREVENTING ILLICIT COISTAMlNATlON OF POTABLE LlQUlDS

Description

This invention relates to a means of preventing or minimising the deliberate contamination of

potable substances.

Illicit contamination or spiking of potable liquids in many establishments is becoming a familiar problem, and crimes of rape have been committed following such contamination by foreign substances.

This invention, by being fitted to a suitable point of sale container, such as a bottle or can, will prevent or minimise illicit contaminations by tablets, powders or liquids.

The device can be based on existing container sealing devices or valves, may be non- removable once fitted and may be constructed of material(s) that will permit the point of sale container to be recycled.

One implementation of the invention can be fitted with an integral visible indicator device which will alert the consumer who will then be able to take appropriate action.

Despite minimising entry by foreign substances, the device will allow effectively un-restricted flow of potable substance from the container to the consumer.

It is recognised that it may be impossible to absolutely prevent deliberate contamination of the potable liquids. However, it is considered that by making any such attempt so difficult that it becomes apparent to the consumer or other persons in the area, such attempts may become significantly more difficult and riskier for those attempting to cause contamination so that the frequency of attempted contamination may be substantially reduced.

Two implementations of this invention are illustrated, by way of example only, with reference to Figures I and 2.

Figure I shows Protection Device 10 which consists of Container Seal 11 which fits firmly into the Neck of Bottle 127 Collar 13 and Mouthpiece 14 which is fitted with Barrier 15.

Barrier 15 is designed to present minimal resistance to flow of the potable substance contained in Bottle 12 while preventing tablets, powders or liquids being inserted surreptitiously into Bottle 12. Barrier 15 is also so designed as to render any attempt to insert a liquid into Bottle 12 by using a syringe apparent, either by causing visible damage or by causing a change in texture which could be detected by the consumer. Insert I shows Barrier formed by Louvers 16 which incorporate re-entrant Angles 17. Insert 2 shows Barrier 15 formed by fine Gauze 18.

Optionally, Protection Device 10 can be fitted with a means of detecting that a given illicit substance has been added to the potable liquid, Such means could consists of colourimetric Detector 19. Detector 19 may be so located that any attempt to force a contaminating liquid into Bottle 12 will cause Detector 19 to change colour. Optionally, a Reference 20 may be A MEANS OF PR1DVENTTNG ILLICIT CONTAMINATION OF POTABLE LIQUIDS provided so that the consumer and/or bystanders can detect that the colour of Detector 19 has changed to identify contamination.

Figure 2 shows a nipple-type valve commonly used in potable liquid containers but fitted to Container Seal 11 and Collar 1 3 as discussed above and shown in Figure 1. This implementation ofthe invention involves a new use for an existing device.

Nipple-type Valve 21 has a Central Stem 22, Liquid Passage 23 and Sliding Cover 24. In leisure 2 the valve is in the "open" position. It will be appreciated that while the form of standard Nipple-type Valve 21 will prevent deliberate contamination using tablets, it would be possible to insert a powder or a liquid. Insert I shows a modified Nipple-type valve in which Central Stem 22 is extended and so formed as to prevents or render more difficult, deliberate contamination using a powder or a liquid, Sliding Cover 24 may be fixed in position and the size of Liquid Passage 23 has been increased to reduce resistance to liquid flow. A Barrier IS, configured as above and illustrated in Figure I may be used to prevent powders or tablets being inserted into Bottle 12.

In this application of the normal Nipple-type Valve it would not be necessary to close the valve to protect the potable liquid.

In use, Protection Device 10 could be fitted by the salesperson or could be supplied or sold to the consumer.

Protection Device 10 can be inserted manually into Bottle 12 by applying a suitable force to Collar 13 or can be inserted by a suitable tool, not shown.

Optionally, Collar 13 can be so designed such that any attempt to remove Protection Device causes Collar 13 to break off or to distort in such a manner as to render any such removal attempt apparent.

Container Seal 11 can be so designed and constructed as to fit to either bottle necks or drink can openings.

Protection Device 10 can be constructed from materials such as food grade polyethylene.

In the implementation of this invention incorporating a Detector 19 and Reference 20, it would be preferable that Protection Device 10 be formed from a transparent material so that Detector 19 and Reference 20 can be located inside Protection Device 10 so that Detector 19 cannot be deliberately tampered with.

Claims

A MEANS OF PREVENTING ILLICIT CONTAMINATION OF POTABLE LlOUlDS CLAIMS

1) A device for preventing or making difficult the deliberate contamination of potable liquids without significantly affecting the ease with which the potable liquids can be drunk.

2) A device as in Claim 1 in which the device fits in a leak-tight manner to a point of sale container.

3) A device as in Claims 1) and 2) in which removal or attempted removal of the device is readily apparent.

4) A device as in Claims 1), 2) and 3) which incorporates means which makes readily apparent any attempt to add contamination to the potable liquids within the point of sale container to which the device has been fitted.

5) A device as in Claims 1), 2), 3) and 4) which incorporates a means which indicates that contaminant(s) has/have been added, or been attempted to have been added, to the potable liquids within the point of sale container to which the device has been fitted.

6) A device as in Claims I), 2), 3), 4) and 5) which can be recycled with the point of sale container to which the device has been fitted. without causing significant adverse contamination of the recycled materials.