GB2427394A

GB2427394A - Drip absorber for a container

Info

Publication number: GB2427394A
Application number: GB0604510A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Robert Stevens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-21
Filing date: 2006-03-07
Publication date: 2006-12-27
Also published as: GB0604510D0; GB0512628D0

Abstract

A drip absorber has a body of absorbent material which is adapted for encircling engagement with a part of a container, preferably the neck of a bottle. The body may bear advertising messages. Three main embodiments of the device are described. The first embodiment has an elongate strip with one or more slots 30, 31 provided along each longitudinal edge. A slot 30 on one edge is arranged for interpenetration with a slot 31 on the opposite edge, allowing the strip to be fastened around the container. Alternatively, the strip may be secured by means of a resilient clip (50, fig 7). The strip may be rectilinear or curvilinear and the slots may be arranged perpendicular (fig 2a) to the longitudinal edge or inclined (47, fig 4). A second embodiment comprises an annular disc (51, fig 8) with a central hole. Radial slots (54, fig 8) around the hole allow the inner portion of the disc to flex as it is fitted to the neck of a bottle. A third embodiment has a strip with an adhesive fastening mechanism, preferably in the form of double-sided adhesive tape (fig 6a).

Description

A SPILLAGE ABSORBER DEVICE FOR A CONTAINER The present invention relates to a spillage absorber device for a container. The device is best depicted by figures 6a - 6k in the drawings attached. It has long been recognised that when pouring liquids from a bottle, in particular liquids which may create a stain, such as red wine, care must be taken to avoid droplets of the liquid spilt from the mouth of the bottle, from falling onto any underlying surface especially table linen or clothing. The same considerations also apply to any container for liquids - the contents of which may be dispensed by pouring. One traditional technique for addressing this problem, in relation to bottles, much used by sommeliers, is to wrap a white napkin around the neck of the bottle which, at the same time, decorates the bottle and forms an embellishment to the serving action, and acts to collect and absorb any droplets of wine running down the neck of the bottle while it is being poured and after it has been poured and as the bottle is returned to an upright position. The use of a napkin therefore, serves two purposes, namely a primary or functional purpose of preventing spillage of wine onto the table or other surface on which the wine bottle or wine glasses are standing, and a secondary purpose of embellishment of the presentation. However this is cumbersome and requires comprehensive laundering of the linen afterwards. In domestic and other less formal situations, it is not always possible or appropriate to utilise a linen napkin for this purpose, with the consequence that the risk of staining a tablecloth with wine droplets is increased. The present invention seeks to provide means by which this situation can be ameliorated, whether in a formal or informal context, without thereby involving the use of traditional linen napkins, while at the same time offering an opportunity to improve the presentation of a bottle or container from which liquid contents may be poured, such as a bottle, carton, vessel or other receptacle. A subsidiary advantage of the present invention is that it provides an opportunity for introducing marketing messages, promotions and advertisements and/or branding and/or decoration into an area of activity not previously reached. According to the present invention, therefore, a spillage absorber device for application to a container the contents of which may be dispensed by pouring, for entrapping droplets of the liquid dispensed from the container to prevent them from flowing down the outside thereof, comprising an element of at least partly absorbent material having a portion adapted for engagement with the container configuration to allow it to encircle a part of the container in contact therewith. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the said device is a disposable strip of absorbent material that fits around the neck of any bottle and is held in place by way of adhesive. In a preferred embodiment by utilising double sided adhesive tape as claimed in Claim 19, in which the said element has a central portion and two opposite end portions, and means for holding the two opposite end portions in a predetermined juxtaposed relationship to allow the relative positions of the end portions to be varied whereby to vary the force of contact of the central portion with the container. Due to the way the invention sits on the neck of the bottle and because of its absorbent qualities it prevents drips running down the outside of the bottle. The means for holding the said two end portions in a predetermined juxtaposed relationship may be of any suitable form and may be made as one or more separate elements or as part of the spillage absorber element itself. In a particularly preferred embodiment the said means for holding the said two end portions in a suitable relationship is with double sided adhesive tape which is attached to the said end portions of the spillage absorber. In another embodiment the said means may be integral with the said central portion of the spillage absorber. In either case, that is whether in the end portion(s) or the central portion, the said means conveniently (but not exclusively) may comprise the utilisation of double sided adhesive tape. The said adhesive mechanism or method can be in the preferred embodiment double sided adhesive tape as depicted in figure 6a - 6k. But this does not exclude the utilisation of the adhesive at alternative angles and lengths and quantities and their positioning in relation to the length of the edges of the said respective portions of the spillage absorber. The use of adhesive will allow a degree of variation of the relative positions of the two portions that become engaged by the said adhesive, so that a variation in the circumference of the portion around the container can be achieved by suitably applying tension to the two end portions and allowing the point of engagement at the adhesion point to move along the length of the spillage absorber device either towards or away from the respective ends in order to achieve such circumferential variation. Or the said mechanism for attachment may comprise respective slots in opposite edges of the respective said portions of the spillage absorber. Such slots may extend part way across the width of the respective portion and be oppositely directed to allow inter-engagement by mutual inter-penetration of the opposite edge portions into respective slots after having curved the central portion round to bring the two slots into register with one another. The slots may be at right angles to the length of the edges, but if inclined at an angle other than orthogonal to the length of the edges of the said respective portions this inter-engagement will allow a degree of variation of the relative positions of the two portions interengaged by the said slots, so that a variation in the circumference of the central portion can be achieved by suitably applying tension to the two end portions and allowing the point of engagement at the two slots to move along the length of the spillage absorber device either towards or away from the respective ends in order to achieve such circumferential variation.By forming the said central portion as a rectilinear element and the said end portions as rectilinear elements inclined with respect to the length of the central portion it is possible to form, upon assembly of the spillage absorber by inter-engagement of the said two slots, a structure roughly approximating to the shape of a napkin wrapped around the neck of the bottle, with two flying end leaves or wings, rather in the manner of a bow tie. For this purpose the said central portion may itself be generally curvilinear. Once assembled around the neck of the bottle, the device may or may not rest upon the shoulders of the bottle. And may or may not sit in direct relation to the lip at the top of a container or bottle. Due to the flexibility and elasticity inherent in the material, the spillage absorber can be pulled tight enough to stay around the container without needing to rest on any protrusion. If it does not rest upon the shoulders, it may be fastened so as to be tight enough around the neck so that resting upon the shoulders is not necessary to hold it in place firmly. At least the central portion of the spillage absorber is preferably made from an absorbent material although both the central portion and the end portions may be made from such material. This material is in the preferred embodiment, base paper Benchcoat Eurosorb 600 (U4) 85gsm +/- 5% But could be of other material in variations of thickness and absorbency levels. For marketing messages, branding and advertising, the central portion, one or both end portions, or both the central one or both end portions may carry indicia in the form of advertising or branding or graphic decoration (message). The present invention also comprehends a method of preventing spillage of a liquid poured from a bottle by the spillage of droplets from the neck upon termination of the pouring operation by providing a spillage absorber as defined hereinabove, passing it around the neck of a bottle and inter-engaging the opposite end portions by means of the said means for holding the two opposite end portions in a predetermined juxtaposed relationship whereby to engage the device onto the neck of a bottle. Various embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of an example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a wine bottle having a traditional napkin wrapped around its neck, and represents the prior art; Figure 1a shows a cut away view detailing the drops forming on the lip of the bottle.Figure 2 is a developed plan view of a spillage absorber formed as a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2a is a developed plan view of a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a schematic front view of a bottle to which the spillage absorber of Figure 2 has been applied; Figure 3a is a rear view of the bottle illustrated in figure 3; Figure 4 is a developed plan view of a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 4 shown in the assemble condition; Figure 6a - 6k show the preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in the non-assembled and assembled condition; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention also shown in the assembled condition; and Figure 8 is a plan view from above of an alternative structure formed on yet another embodiment of the invention. Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a wine bottle generally indicated 12 having a traditional 'Bordeaux' shape, namely one with straight sides 13 joined to a neck 14 by sharply curved shoulders 15 forming a distinct change of direction at the intersection between the curved shoulders 15 and the straight sided generally cylindrical neck 14. In use of such a bottle to pour out a liquid (usually wine) this passes out through an open end 16 at the end of the neck 14 with air entering the mouth 16, passing up the next 14 and into the body of the bottle 12. When pouring is complete, the user changes the orientation of the bottle to raise the neck 14 above the level of the liquid contained therein.However, because of the thickness of the material from which the bottle is formed (usually glass) and the nature of the material itself, when the liquid within the neck is positioned at exactly the same horizontal level as the bottom edge of the mouth 16 (see inset Figure 1A), the surface tension on the liquid and the fact that the edge of the mouth is slightly rounded, results in a small quantity of the liquid adhering to the lower edge 18 of the mouth 16 as the junction line 17 between the edge 18 and the interior surface 19 of the neck 14 separates the liquid to be retained within the neck from what which is present on the annular surface 18 of the mouth 16. As a consequence, as can be seen in Figure 1, a few droplets 20 of the liquid spill out from the mouth 16 and flow down the outside of the neck 14.As can be seen in Figure 1, by placing a napkin 21 around the neck 14 and over the shoulders 15 of the bottle 12, it is possible to trap these spilled droplets safely before they run right down the bottle, so that when the bottle is stood on its end after the pouring operation is complete, no wine finds its way onto the surface on which the bottle is standing. This prior art arrangement works, but has the disadvantage that a napkin, particularly a linen napkin, is a relatively expensive item and thus requires to be re-used and therefore cleaned for re-use. This consumes a certain quantity of energy resources, especially since it requires the use of strong cleaning agents such as bleach if red wine is involved, and is a relatively expensive and time-consuming solution to the problem of spillage. Figure 2 illustrates a disposable, economical substitute for the napkin 21. It comprises a rectilinear main body 22 of absorbent material, such as absorbent paper, having an upper rectilinear edge 23, a lower rectilinear edge 24 parallel thereto and two opposite faces, 25 and 26 (the former of which is visible in Figure 2 and the latter of which is visible in Figure 3). Extending from opposite ends of the body 24 are two end portions 27, 28 which, in this embodiment, are generally rectilinear flat elements inclined at a shallow angle x to the general length of the main body portion 22. Each of the end portions 27, 28 is generally of parallelogram shape and the length of each portion is approximately the same as that of the main or central body portion 22. In the upper edge 23 of the body portion 22 is formed a slot 30 which extends part-way across the width of the body portion 22, and in the bottom edge 24, at a position nearer the opposite end portion 28, is located another slot 31, which extends from the lower edge 24 part-way across the width of the body portion 22. As can be seen in Figure 3, by bending the body portion 22 into a roughly circular shape and by inter-engaging the two slots 30, 31 the device adopts a configuration representing a 'bow tie' as shown in Figure 3, which can be fitted over the neck 14 of a bottle, for example, and moved down the neck to rest on the shoulders 15. Spillage absorbers adapted for containers other than bottles are of course contemplated within the ambit of the invention. Because at least the central body portion 22 is made from an absorbent material any droplets of liquid spilled from the mouth 16 and caught on the neck of the bottle when pouring, will be absorbed by the spillage absorber as they run down the neck of the bottle after it has been returned to the orientation shown in Figure 3. As can be seen in Figure 3 the faces of the end or wing portions 27, 28 (as indeed ? the central portion 22) may be provided with indicia, generally represented 35, 35a, 36 in the form of advertising messages for branding or decoration or messages, for example, but not exclusively the message 'happy birthday' may be displayed. Likewise the central body portion 22 may bear appropriate indicia 35a as shown in Figure 3a. An alternative embodiment is shown in Figure 2a. This is of similar form to the embodiment of Figure 2, for which reason the same or corresponding parts have been identified with the same reference numerals. It differs from the embodiment of Figure 2 in that the end portions 27, 28 are formed in line with the body portion 22 from which they have no clear demarcation or separation. Turning now to Figures 4 and 5, an alternative embodiment comprises a monolithic element generally indicated 40 of multi-layer absorbent material, having a non-absorbent layer 41 forming one face thereof, which will be the outside face in use of the device as illustrated in Figure 5. This material structure may also be used in other embodiments. As in the previous embodiment, the central portion 42 has upper and lower rectilinear edges 43, 44 respectively and from each end of the central portion 42 extend lateral or end portions 45,46 which, as in the embodiment of Figure 2, are inclined at an angle x to the general line of the central portion 42 as defined by the upper edge 43. In this embodiment, however, the central portion 42 has two inclined slots 47, 48 the inclination of which allows the inter-engagement of the two opposite edges 43, 44 as illustrated in Figure 5 with the consequential effect that the end flaps or wings 45, 46 are inclined somewhat to the vertical in relation to the corresponding position adopted by the wings 27, 28 of the embodiment of Figure 1 and 2 as seen in Figure 3, and, moreover, because the slots 47, 48 are inclined to the point of inter-engagement between the two, represented by the circle 49 in Figure 5, can be moved parallel to the length of the central portion 42, that is circumferentially of this portion in its curved state as illustrated in Figure 5.This allows bottle necks of different size to be accommodated and the interior surface 42 of the central portion to be brought into close contact with the neck of a bottle regardless of its precise diameter. Any messages on the faces of the flaps or wings 45, 46 will now be inclined slightly upwardly more easily to be read by any person seated at a table on which the bottle is standing or the immediate vicinity. Figure 6 shows a further embodiment in which, rather than having two inter-engaging slots as in the embodiment of Figures 2 to 5, the facing surfaces of the spillage absorber have a low-tack adhesive (in the preferred embodiment, double sided adhesive tape) allowing them to be pressed together and held in place by the adhesive in the region between the central body 22 and the end portions 27, 28. The adhesive may be covered by release paper until exposed for use or may be one which only adheres to itself so that the risk of contamination by dust and dirt adhering to it prior to use is minimised. Figure 6a. Shows the dimensions of the preferred embodiment showing possible fold out section. Details also the preferred singular adhesive strip. 6b. Details the peel off backing paper covering the double sided adhesive. 6c. Shows the preferred embodiment in situ around a bottle neck. 6d. Details a possible multi double sided adhesive application. In this instance two but it could feature any number of strips that would adhere to the surface of the container as well as the device itself. 6e.(i) How where to locate the device on the bottle and details the first folding action to apply the device to the container. 6e (ii) Details the second folding action to apply the device to the container 6f. Details the third folding action to apply the device to the container 6g. Details the third folding action to apply the device to the container in plan view. 6h. Shows the device applied to the bottle. 6i. Shows the device applied to the bottle and demonstartes how the device catches the drops. 6j. Shows the device applied to the bottle and how the device having absorbed the drop, retains it. 6k. Depicts how the device can carry marketing messages on the device, in this case on the fold out section, but it can be anywhere on the device. A further alternative embodiment is shown in Figure 7 in which a spring clip 50 is provided to join the facing parts of the spillage absorber in the regions between the central body 22 and the portions 27, 28 as illustrated by the broken line arrow A. In this embodiment the two end portions 27, 28 are shown with terminal tabs 27a, 28a, bent at fold lines 27b 28b. Other embodiments of the invention, in particular embodiments in which there may be more than one slot along each of the upper and/or lower edges of the central portion, and/or in which the ends of the flaps or end portions 45, 46 may be differently shaped are all to be considered within the ambit of the present invention. Likewise, although the specific embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to the application of the invention to a bottle, this is entirely without prejudice to the generality of the invention or to its potential application to other types of container, the contents of which may be dispensed by pouring and, therefore, which may be subject to the risk of drips. Figure 8 illustrates an entirely different embodiment of the invention, in which a spillage absorber body 51 of absorbent material is formed as an annulus having radially inner and outer peripheries 52,53 respectively. This spillage absorber body 51 is intended for use on bottles the neck of which is slightly larger than the diameter of the radially inner periphery 52 of the body 51. In order to accommodate this difference, a plurality of radial slots 54 are provided, which allows the inner portion of the body 51 to flex as it is fitted to the neck of a bottle.By using an absorbent material having a suitable degree of resilient flexibility the body 51 will then be retained on the neck of the bottle with the now-separated portions of the radially inner periphery 52 pressed into contact with the neck so as to be sure to trap and absorb any droplets of liquid spilt from the mouth of the bottle during or after pouring and flowing down the neck of the bottle when it is placed upright.

Claims

1. A spillage absorber device for application to a container the contents of which may be dispensed by pouring, for entrapping droplets of the liquid dispensed from the container to prevent them from flowing down the outside thereof, comprising an element of at least partly absorbent material having a portion adapted for engagement with the container in a closed configuration to allow it to encircle a part of the container in contact therewith.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, in which the said element has a central portion and two opposite end portions, and means for holding the two opposite end portions in a predetermined juxtaposed relationship to allow the relative positions of the end portions to be varied whereby to vary the force of contact of the central portion with the container.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the said means for holding the said two end portions in a predetermined juxtaposed relationship are integral with the said central portion of the element.

4. A device as claim in Claim 5, in which the said means for holding the said central portion in a predetermined juxtaposed relationship comprises respective slots in opposite edges of the respective said portion of the element.

5. A device as claimed in Claim 4, in which the said slots are inclined at an angle other than orthogonal to the length of the edges of the said respective end portions.

6. A device as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, in which there are provided a plurality of slots in at least one said edge whereby to allow the central portion to encircle containers of different shapes and sizes.

7. A device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 6 in which there are further provided means for urging the said portions adapted for engagement with the container into contact therewith.

8. A device as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 7, in which both the end portions and the central portions are rectilinear and the end portions extend parallel to and in alignment with, the central portion.

9. A device as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 6, in which the said central portion is rectilinear and said end portions are inclined with respect to the length of the central portion.

10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the said central portion is generally curvilinear.

11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least the central portion thereof is made from a mufti-layer absorbent material.

12. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which both the central portion and the end portions are made from an absorbent material.

13. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which either the central portions, at least one end portion or both central and end portions bear indicia in the form of advertising messages.

14. A device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the said element is substantially annular, defined by radially inner and radially outer peripheral edges, the radially inner edge having means by which it can be urged into contact with the surface of a container.

15. A device as claimed in Claim 13, in which the said means comprise a plurality of slots extending radially outwardly from the said radially inner peripheral edge.

16. A device as claimed in Claim 13, in which the said means comprise a resilient engagement member in the form of a clip or a band.

17. A device as claimed in any of Claim 13 to 15 in which at least one of the said peripheral edges is substantially circular.

18. A device as claimed in Claim 16, in which both peripheral edges are substantially circular.

19. A spillage absorber device for application to a container the contents of which may be dispensed by pouring, for entrapping droplets of the liquid dispensed from the container to prevent them from flowing down the outside thereof, comprising an element of highly absorbent material having an adhesive mechanism in the preferred embodiment double sided adhesive tape for engagement with the container in a closed configuration to allow it to encircle a part of the container in contact therewith.

20. A device as claimed in Claim 19, in which the said element has a central portion and an end portion, and means for holding the two portions in a predetermined juxtaposed relationship to allow the relative positions of the portions to be varied whereby to vary the force of contact of the central portion with the container.

21. A device as claimed in Claim 19 or Claim 20, in which the said means for holding the said two end portions in a predetermined juxtaposed relationship is a strip of double sided adhesive tape on the said central portion of the element.

22. A device as claim in Claim 21, in which the said means for holding the said central portion in a predetermined juxtaposed relationship comprises multiple or single applications of double sided adhesive tape on opposite edges of the respective said portion of the element.

23. A device as claimed in Claim 21, in which the said strips of double sided adhesive tape are inclined at an angle other than orthogonal to the length of the edges of the said respective end portions.

24. A device as claimed in Claim 21 or Claim 22, in which there are provided a plurality of double sided adhesive tape in at least one said edge whereby to allow the central portion to encircle containers of different shapes and sizes.