GB2620967A

GB2620967A - Akorker

Info

Publication number: GB2620967A
Application number: GB2211010.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wm Mclaughlin Richard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-07-26
Filing date: 2022-07-26
Publication date: 2024-01-31
Also published as: GB202211010D0

Abstract

A device comprising a shallow plug or stopper 8 that is secured in the opening of a bottle by means of side strips 1 with adhesive faces. The adhesive faces are covered by a removable element 4 prior to use. A perforated section 6 having a serial number (3, fig 1) may be removed and given to a customer as a receipt, a matching number being retained on a section of the device covering the stopper (14, fig 1).

Description

AKORKER Description

This invention relates to a device designed to secure temporary storage, of partly consumed bottles of wine, liquor, minerals and various liquids When wine is purchased in a hotel dining room or bar restaurant its not uncommon for the client to leave a residual amount within the bottle and request it to be held over to be enjoyed on a return visit. This service is usually executed by the server, at best the staff member may attempt to record details and reference on the bottles label then look around for a cork or tin top to use as a temporary stopper. This arrangement is unprofessional, ad-hoc and exposes the contents open to abuse. This invention removes these difficulties and in so doing allows a professional, hygienic, secure method of temporary storage to take place.

Once opened there is no secure way to protect the remaining contents of a partly consumed bottle, the Akorker provides this ability and service. Currently the service industry is without a labelling and identifying system and has no accurate reference system that enables the client to be repatriated with their property thereby enabling a professional service to be concluded. This invention of the Akorker rules out chance and uncertainty. The Akorker removes risk of contamination, illicit consumption giving security to the bottles contents. The usual procedure currently, is for the server to source a previously used cork or screw top, then try and make them fit, the Akorker gives staff immediate access to a secure and identifiable returns system. Unsecured temporary storage can lead to abuse of temporary stored wine. There has been evidence of contents having been switched for a much inferior product, the high-priced residual wine being illegally enjoyed by a third party and replaced with a cheap alternative. Simply, pilferage of some or all the residual contents. There are times when a scribbled room number on a much-handled label is illegible. Common issue is some of the contents of residual wine simply has disappeared. Akorker protects against all the above malpractices and many more not mentioned here. Akorker has a tear off receipt to present to the client, it is pre-printed with the same serial number on the flip up top of the Akorker this flip up top is put into the raised position when stored enabling quick and easy recognition. This fool proof double serial numbering gives a match to owner and bottle, optional would be a space on both parts of the labelling for more information, such as room number name and or signature of owner and server including the date. Optional version suitable for back bar and domestic usage would be produced without these record keeping facilities as the Akorker in domestic or bar use would not always need to be matched to an owner. For added hygiene the face of the plug/stopper on the Akorker has a cover which is peeled off and removed prior to fitting the Akorker. Then the Akorker is fitted over the top of the bottle, a shallow plug/stopper is pushed down onto and into the neck of the bottle. Then the two adhesive strips are pressed onto neck of the bottle on opposing sides and extending downwards for a distance far enough to give a secure grip, thus securing tightly the plug/stopper in and on top of the bottle opening thereby creating a temporary seal. The server now tears off the serrated card with matching serial number, presents the client with the matching receipt which has a matching serial number fixed to the flip up portion on the top of the bottle. On return visit the client produces the receipt, his server then matches the serial numbers and the product can be securely and safely returned to the client with seal intact. Residual contents of bottle are as they were left. To access the contents with the Akorker fitted, simply rear off along serrated lines using the flip up label as a pull or simply tearing to remove the Akorker. With this being the only means of access then any broaching or malpractice having taken place will be highly evident. The invention of the Akorker is manufactured in bio-degradable paper/cardboard material so fitting into today's environmental attitudes, the protrusion on the plug/stopper is of compressed card and formed to be resistant to liquids this protrusion fits into the neck of standard wine bottles. The side attachments are made with a peel off film, when the peel off film is removed the gummed surfaces are exposed and then can be pressed home onto neck of bottle where they will adhere firmly to the side of bottle, this makes the plug/stopper immovable until such times as the rightful owner broaches the bottle. Similar to the layer that protects the gummed side strips. These three layers have a small oversize to allow the server to grip the removable filaments this gives speedy removal from plug/stopper thereby exposing the gummed surface, The side strips have the same ease of removal of filament so to assist in speedy application onto s neck of bottle. The Akorker can be produced with some slight changes to enable it to be used as a back bar temporary closure device, Akorker in this employ would not need the receipt portion nor would it need the serial numbers. The invention could also be used domestically in the home for securing Liquor, Wine and spirit bottles, also without the need for serial numbering and tear off receipts. Again, this invention retains the integrity of the liquid contents of bottles in temporary storage.

Akorker can be explained and described in conjunction with numbered references to the accompanied drawings.

Figure 1 shows the invention facing upward relating to outward surfaces with side strips unused and in the flat plane with gummed surface protective film on reverse side. This plane shows rectangular areas with serial numbers matching on both number 3 and 14. Number 3 being the serrated tear of receipt and number14 being the flip up top showing matching serial number.

Figure 2 Shows side on view, exhibits the plug/stopper profile number 14 with the side strips, number 1 facing downwards, the peel back filament, is still in situ, the tear off receipt is indicated to show serrations for server to easily remove receipt and present to client with identical serial number and other supporting details Figure 3 shows peel back filament partially removed before the two strips can be fixed and adhered to sides of bottle.

Figure 4 shows Akorker turned upward to show partially removed protective filament from side strips, the protective filament from plug/stopper has been removed exposing the plug/stopper for insertion to neck of bottle. After which the filaments will be completely removed and gummed down to side if bottle, the receipt with serial number will then be removed and given to customer.

Figure 5, Shows Akorker in use and in place with the side strips firmly adhered to bottle thereby firmly retaining plug/stopper securely in place, end of side strip shows clients receipt has been torn off and bottle ready for temporary storage.

Here I will explain the features of the Akorker with the help of numbered Illustrations.

Page 1/5, fig1, shows the Akorker before use, number 1 on diagram shows side strips with filament covering gummed surface in place, number 7 indicates the indented hinges to allow side strips to be bent downwards so to be stuck down onto neck of bottle. Number4 is the excess filament to allow server to grip and easily peel back filament thus exposing the gummed surface of number 1 the side strips. Number 6 shows the perforated tear off allowing the receipt number 3 to be removed for presentation to customer. Number 5 is a tag to allow number 14 to be raised through 90degrees to the vertical thereby presenting the serial number for ease of identification. 102 is a random three-digit number used here to demonstrate a serial number. Every Akorker will have a three-digit number unique to each stored bottle.

Page 2/5, Figure2. Shows Akorker in profile before use, indicating feature numbers. Facing downwards with 8 being the plug/stopper which will enter the neck of the bottle.

Page3/5, Figure3, shows number 4 the filament peel back grips having been partially peeled back the filaments number 10,covering side strips gummed areas, number 9 the hygienic protection on number 8 the plug/stopper in the process of being removed and number 3 the customers receipt being torn off on which is the matching serial number to that on number 14.

Page 4/5 Figure 4 shows the Akorker facing upwards to demonstrate number 12 the indented, folded hinges to allow the side strips to be bent over and down thereby enabling them to be gummed onto the side of the neck of the bottle. The hygiene strip on number 8 has been removed, the gummed surface number 13 almost fully exposed as the filament protecting the gummed side strips number 10 are peeled off.

Page5/5 Figure 5 shows side strip number 1 firmly attached and firmly retaining number 8 the plug/stopper. The top outside skin of number 8 can be raised up 90 degrees to exhibit the serial number making speedy identification easy on customers return.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Marker provides a means to temporarily and securely store wines, Liquors and other expensive liquids, the Akorker gives restaurant staff an ability to secure residual quantities of liquids with a serial numbered system which the customer receives a copy of and the matching number is fixed to the stored bottle. Customer can redeem his partly consumed contents of bottle on presentation of his copy of the serial numbered receipt.
2. Akorker according to claim 1, is affixed to bottle by adhesive side strips, before use these adhesive faces are protected by a removable filament, when peeled off and affixed to the side of the bottle they then retain tightly the plug/stopper which during fitting has been pushed securely into the neck of the bottle the plug/stopper has a shallow insert to enable it to be entered into the neck of the bottle thereby preventing any lateral movement. Any attempt to interfere with plug/stopper will immediately become apparent thus rendering an alert to some form of interference.
3. Akorker according to claim 1 carries 2 identical serial number 1 which is torn off at serrations and given to customer as a receipt, matching number retained on a flip up portion 14 on the outside of the plug/stopper thereby making ready recognition easy when the bottle is being redeemed
4. Akorker according to claim' has a hygienic strip 9 covering the inside portion of the plug/stopper which is removed before being fixed to neck of bottle.
5. Akorker according to claim 1, can have more information carried on the opposing side of the flip up label 9 that carries the serial number here can be recorded clients name and room number if so required. Matching information if required can be added onto the clients serial numbered receipt. This would enhance security.
6. Akorker according to claim 1, can be used domestically or in back bar operation to give temporary closure to stock that's partially consumed, in these circumstances there would be no requirement to have serial numbering or matching information. But management would have much more security and control over opened stock units. Both options can be re-accessed by tearing along serrations on top of Akorker