MD1139Z - Device for recovering drops of liquid trickling down from a container - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to devices for recovering liquid droplets taken from a container. The device for recovering liquid droplets taken from a container contains an absorbent material or a reservoir and is made from a body, absorbent material or reservoir (5). ) being mounted under a label / cap (4) of the container (6), so that when the plug (1) is opened or the sealing strip (2) is opened (2) of the label / cap (4) a collection or infiltration zone is created (3) of the drops dropped, which through an area of recovery of the drops dropped communicates with the container (6).

Description

The invention relates to devices for recovering liquid droplets spilled from a container.

These devices are used in containers of various shapes or sizes, incorporating liquids of various types, specific to the hotel industry, bars and restaurants, as well as for housekeeping or kitchen use.

Devices for eliminating droplets from bottles are known, made by optionally mounting a ring or collar on the outside of the bottle [1,2].

The disadvantages of using these devices are that they unsightly leave visible traces of spilled drops up to the level where the ring/collar was mounted, at the same time the material from which the absorbent area is made is not adapted to the type and quantity of spilled liquid, there is no possibility of recovering these drops, and the devices are only used for wine bottles, being designed for a small number of container models, thus limiting their use.

The problem that the invention solves is the absorption of liquid droplets from containers of various categories and uses, and not only wine bottles, the recovery of the amount of liquid spilled on the container and its reuse. At the same time, this device will lead to better absorption of the droplets by adapting the shape, volume and material of the absorbent area.

The problem is solved by the device for recovering liquid droplets spilled from a container containing an absorbent material or a reservoir and being made of a body, the absorbent material or reservoir being mounted under a label/cap of the container, so that when the plug is opened or the label/cap unsealing strip is removed, an area for collecting or infiltrating the spilled droplets is created, which communicates with the container through a spilled drop recovery area.

The upper part of the body may contain a semicircular droplet collection area, an area with liquid drainage/transport channels positioned perpendicularly or inclined in relation to the collection area, and the reservoir, which connects all the drainage channels in their lower part, the aforementioned elements being covered by the label/cap, also when the sealing strip is opened, the label/cap flares out at the top and the collection area is formed by a part of the cap, a cap-lid disc and a pouring trough; or the lid-lid disc will open when the container plug is extracted, the sealing strip breaking, thus forming the pouring trough, and when the pouring trough for liquid with a high viscosity is used, its edge is made serrated in a W shape; or the collection area is formed by the label/cap, the lid disc, the stopper, the unsealing strip and the reservoir.

The body may contain support and spacing fins, in the upper part of which a droplet collection area in the shape of a quarter of an arc of a circle is formed, which creates between them an area with liquid drainage/transport channels, positioned perpendicularly or inclined in relation to the collection area, and an area with absorbent material, which connects all the drainage channels in their lower part, the stated elements being covered by the label/cap, also when the unsealing strip is opened, the label/cap flares out at the top and the collection area is formed by the cap part, the cap-lid disc and the pouring trough; or the collection area is formed by the label/cap, the cap-lid disc, the stopper, the unsealing strip and the area with absorbent material.

The absorbent material, mounted under the label/cap of the container, can be placed so that, when the unsealing tape is opened, a drop collection area is created, formed by a space created when extracting a spacer piece, which also serves as a drop transport area to the absorbent material, the piece being mounted in this space with the possibility of extraction together with the stopper, being glued to it, or the spacer piece is fixed to the container and is made with liquid transport channels to the area with absorbent material, also when the unsealing tape is opened, the label/cap flares out at the top and the collection area is formed by a part of the cap, the cap-lid disc and the pouring trough; or the collection area is formed by the label/cap, the lid disc, the stopper, the unsealing tape and the area with absorbent material.

The absorbent material can be located inside the container stopper, covered with a lid, so that when the lid is opened, the spilled drops are absorbed by the absorbent material area, formed around a central channel of the stopper, through the recovery area with drain channels and a drop collection area, in which a channel with a check valve is made, composed of a communication channel between this area and the container and a plastic or rubber disc that closes this channel.

The device, according to the invention, has the following advantages:

- it is easy to apply and make;

- each container is already equipped with the absorbent material or reservoir, it is not necessary to additionally mount a universal collar/ring on the outside;

- drops that have dripped down to the level where the outer ring is mounted are not visible;

- can be used for any type of liquid (e.g. wine, champagne, oil, vinegar or any type of liquid detergent), any type of container (e.g. alcohol bottle, plastic container for detergents, olive bowls, etc.), any type of stopper/lid (e.g. screw-on or press-on), any type of label, any type/model of cap/lid (e.g. screw-on or press-on), etc.;

the type of material used is chosen depending on the type of liquid;

eliminates the costs of purchasing, in certain cases, outer rings or collars;

eliminates the time and hassle of mounting rings or collars on the outside of wine bottles in particular;

offers the possibility of recovering these drops and thus using this amount of liquid;

from the point of view of product presentation, it gives a touch of elegance superior to containers that do not benefit from such a device.

Below are presented several examples of embodiments of the device for recovering liquid droplets spilled from a container, which are explained by the drawings in Fig. 1 - 7, which represent:

- Fig. 1, the device for recovering liquid droplets spilled from a container and its placement on the container;

- fig. 2, a) the device with a reservoir; b) front view of the device with a reservoir;

- fig. 3, a) the device with absorbent material - complex version; b) front view of the device;

- Fig. 4, the device with absorbent material - simple version;

- Fig. 5, the device with absorbent material - the version with collection area, reservoir and return to the container;

- Fig. 6, the exploded view of the hood, with collection area and chute - part of the hood body;

- Fig. 7, exploded view of the cap, with the cap body used as a collection area, liquid pouring and aerator.

The device for recovering liquid droplets spilled from a container (fig. 1) contains an absorbent material or a reservoir 5 mounted under a label/cap 4 of a container 6, in the contact area 7 between the two, so that when the plug 1 is opened or the unsealing strip 2 of the label/cap 4 is unsealed, a collection or infiltration area 3 of the spilled droplets is created. The infiltration area 3 is formed by extracting a spacer 18, mounted in this space with the possibility of extraction together with the plug 1. In order to make the collection of droplets more efficient, when the unsealing strip 2 is unsealed, the body of the cap 4 is made with the possibility of flaring in the upper part 15. This flared upper part 15 is placed, until the unsealing strip 2 is unsealed, under this strip.

Also, in the first embodiment, a part 25 of the cap can be used as a collection area, in this case we will also have as functional references a cap-lid disk 23 and a pouring trough (fig. 6).

The device, according to the first embodiment, operates in the following manner.

When the unsealing strip 2 is opened to remove the plug 1, together with the cover disc 23, a pouring trough 24 of the liquid from the container is created, this being pre-cut together with the unsealing strip in the shape of a W (close to the letter omega in unfolded form). The container plug is then extracted, after this step the cap 4 can be moved by sliding on the container, up to a mark drawn on it, so that the part 25 of the cap has a height calculated between the maximum limit of the filling mouth 26 and the maximum limit of this area of approximately 1 mm. The drops that have leaked between the body of the cap and the container will be absorbed by the area with absorbent material 5, an area that can be eliminated if it is considered that a sufficient seal can be obtained (in the contact area 7) so that this does not occur. An alternative to the pre-cut groove created when the strip is unrolled can be one of the following: the groove can be positioned above the container cap or between the container and the cap body, in either case it will have to be positioned by the user and extracted for use.

In the second embodiment, the cap body itself 4 can be used as a collection area, in this case we will also have as functional references: the lid disc 23, the stopper 1, the unsealing strip 2 and the area with absorbent material 5.

The device, according to the second embodiment, operates in the following way.

After unsealing the strip 2 together with the disc-lid 23, the plug 1 will be extracted, then the cap 4 will be moved by sliding on the container, up to a mark drawn on it, which corresponds to the maximum limit of the filling mouth 26. The drops that have leaked between the cap body and the container will be absorbed by the area with absorbent material 5, an area that can be eliminated if it is considered that a sufficient seal can be obtained (in the contact area 7) so that this does not occur. The part of the cap that will be above the filling mouth 26 will be functional as follows: one half (having a semi-circle in section, along the length of the cap body above the filling mouth 26) will have the role of a pouring chute for the liquid from the container, and the second half will have the role of regulating the flow rate of pouring the liquid from the container. To adjust the flow rate of the liquid, the half of the cap body corresponding to this operation will be folded over the half that will constitute the pouring trough. As variants of this, there may be at least the following: the material from which the cap body is made should be of the type of materials that retain a certain molded shape desired by the user (in this case, lines 29 will be drawn on the outside of the cap body, based on which this will be done), or the part of the cap body used to adjust the flow rate will be equipped with a triangular reinforcing element 27 (optional) glued to its inside, to which a retaining cord 30 will be fixed, and the other end of the cord will be fixed to the body of the container. For this case, when the cap is moved to the desired limit, the cord 30 will fold the half of the cap body corresponding to the flow adjustment, over the half of the cap body corresponding to the pouring trough, thus achieving a desired pouring flow. For certain liquids, on the half of the cap body corresponding to the flow adjustment, ventilation slots 28 can be pre-cut.

These examples can be used with or without the spacer 18 and with or without the collection or infiltration area 3.

These embodiments can be used for any of the devices shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4.

In the first embodiment (Fig. 2 a) and b)), the device contains a reservoir and is made of the body 11 (made of plastic, rubber or cardboard), which contains a droplet collection area 9 of semicircular shape in section, an area with liquid drainage/transport channels 10 positioned perpendicularly or inclined relative to the collection area 9, and which are separated from each other by thin walls, and the reservoir 5, which connects all the drainage channels in their lower part, the stated elements being covered by a label/cap 4. In order to make the collection of drops more efficient, when the unsealing strip 2 is opened, the body of the cap 4 flares in the upper part 15. This flared area is located, until the unsealing strip 2 is opened, under this strip. The device is positioned at the top of the container, lowered by 2 mm compared to the maximum upper limit of the container. Its dimensions will be: the inner diameter equal to that of the container; the outer diameter greater than the inner by no more than 4 mm; the total height of 30 mm (of which 2 mm - the collection area, 10 mm - the length of the channels and 18 mm - the reservoir). These dimensions are optimal and are related to the dimensions of a normal wine bottle, the proportions will be maintained in case of using the device for other container sizes. The device construction also contains the stopper 1, the body 11 and, with reference to fig. 2 b), an outer wall 13 of the device body, the drain/transport channel 10 and an inner wall 12 of the device body. The shape of the inner wall copies the shape of the container.

The operating mode of the device is as follows.

When using the container, when the bottle is turned to its normal position, the drops that normally drip onto the outside of the bottle will be collected in the collection area and transmitted through the transport channels to the tank. When the bottle is turned over again to pour liquid, the amount of liquid in the tank will be transferred, through the transport channels, to the collection area, then they will drip towards the bottle's emptying mouth, and the liquid flowing from the inside of the bottle will also entrain the one in the tank. This device can be used for bottles containing expensive liquids or for those of wine, champagne, juice, vinegar, oil, etc.

According to the second embodiment (Fig. 3 a) and b)), the device contains an absorbent material in a complex version and is made of the body 11 (made of plastic, rubber or cardboard), which is composed of the infiltration/collection area 3 in the shape of a quarter of a circle, positioned at the top of some support and spacing fins 16, which create between them an area with liquid drainage/transport channels l4 (without inner wall) positioned perpendicularly or inclined in relation to the collection area and an area with absorbent material 5 that connects all the drainage channels, in their lower part. The elements are covered by the body 11 of the device and the label/cap 4. To make the collection of drops more efficient, it can be created that, when the sealing strip 2 is opened, the cap 4 flares out at the top 15. The device is positioned at the top of the container, lowered by 2 mm compared to the maximum limit of the container. Its dimensions will be: the inner diameter equal to that of the container, but without having a connecting wall between the channels (thus resulting in some fins-spacers between the outer wall of the device and the glass); the outer diameter greater than the inner one by no more than 3 mm; the total height of 30 mm (of which 1.5 mm - the collection area, 10 mm - the length of the channels and 18 mm - the area for absorbent material, which will have the outer wall of the device as a support element). These dimensions are optimal and are related to the dimensions of a normal wine bottle, the proportions being maintained in case the device is used for other container sizes. The device also includes the stopper 1, the container 6, the outer wall 13 of the device body.

The operating mode of the device is as follows.

When using the container, when the bottle is turned to its normal position, the drops that normally drip onto the outside of the bottle will be collected in the collection area and transmitted through the transport channels to the area with absorbent material. The latter will absorb the drops, so that when the bottle is turned over again to pour liquid, the amount of liquid in the absorbent area will not leak. This device can be used for bottles of wine, champagne, juice, vinegar, oil, etc.

According to a third embodiment (Fig. 4), the device contains in a simple version absorbent material 5, which is mounted under the label/cap 4 of the container 6, so that, when the unsealing strip 2 is opened, a collection or infiltration area 3 is created, which also serves as a droplet transport area to the absorbent material. In order to make the collection of drops more efficient, when the strip is opened, the body of the cap is flared at the top 15. The dimensions of the components of this device are similar to those of the embodiments described above.

This device can be used for bottles of wine, champagne, juice, vinegar, oil, etc.

According to a fourth embodiment (Fig. 5), the device contains absorbent material 5 located inside a plug 17 of the container 6, covered with the lid 19, so that when the lid 19 is opened, the leaked drops are absorbed by the absorbent material area 5, formed around a central channel 22 of the plug 17, through the recovery area 8 with drain channels and a drop collection area 21, in which a channel with a check valve 20 is made, composed of a communication channel between this area and the container and a plastic or rubber disc that closes this channel and which, when the container is used, will close inertially, letting the liquid flow only in the direction of the collection area towards the container.

The operating mode of the device is as follows.

When using the liquid in the container, by opening the lid 19, the drops that do not come off its body (and which would normally drip to the outside) will be absorbed through the channel inside the body, following the path described above. This device can be used for containers of soap or liquid detergent, etc.

All of the above can be used together or individually and are valid for the device models described in the previous examples.

Any of the embodiments of this device will have the following characteristics:

the absorbent material/reservoir will be mounted under/inside the label/cap or plug;

the absorbent material will be chosen depending on the type of liquid in the container;

The dimensions/capacity of the material will be calculated based on the amount of liquid that leaks with each use, the average number of uses, the ability of the absorbent material to recover until the next use, as well as the amount that will evaporate between uses.

The absorbent material used for any of the device models will have to meet the following requirements:

- to protect the environment and users;

- the cost price should be as low as possible and the absorbent should be easy to procure;

the viscosity of the absorbent must be as low as possible to ensure high absorption rates;

the volatility of the absorbent must be adapted according to the manufacturer's requirements, taking into account the evaporation of the absorbed liquid;

to be issued by the Federal Office for the Environment (LTwS-No. 31) - "Requirements for chemical absorbents".

The absorbent material will fall into one of the following categories and will be classified as follows:

a) according to identifiers

A = Acid absorbent;

B = Absorbent for basic substances (alkaline), (lyes);

F = Absorbent for flammable liquids, with fire hazard;

H = Oil absorbent, type III/R;

O = Absorbent for oxidizing substances;

P = Absorbent for aqueous and polar liquids;

V = Multifunctional absorbent (the name multifunctional absorbent, with the identifier V, is given only to those absorbents that have been tested and approved individually for the absorption of each chemical substance, thus possessing all the identifiers).

b) according to BS standards

BS 7959-1:2004 - Determination of absorption capacity;

BS 7959-2:2000 - Determination of the degree of impermeability or degree of buoyancy for hydrophobic (oil-absorbing) materials;

BS 7959-3:2007 - Colour coding for absorbent materials.

The absorbent material may have different cross-sectional shapes, such as: circle, square, rectangle or other derived shapes, or even copy the shape of the support (as part of the device).

If it is found that an oversized and thus unsightly absorbent area is necessary, due to large droplet leakage or intensive use, reserves of absorbent rings/strips can also be created to replace the initial ones.

It can be considered that the material itself from which the label/cap is made should be absorbent, without, after absorbing the drops, becoming unpleasant to the touch.

1. GB 2490646 A 2012.11.14

2. WO 2005113366 A2 2005.12.01

Claims (1)

Device for recovering liquid droplets spilled from a container, containing an absorbent material or a reservoir, characterized in that it is made of a body (11), the absorbent material or reservoir (5) being mounted under a label/cap (4) of the container (6), so that when the plug (1) is opened or the unsealing strip (2) of the label/cap (4) is untied, a collection or infiltration area (3) of the spilled droplets is created, which communicates with the container (6) through a recovery area (8) of the spilled droplets. Device for recovering liquid droplets spilled from a container, containing a reservoir, according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (11) in the upper part contains a drop collection area (9) of semicircular shape in section, an area with liquid drainage/transport channels (10) positioned perpendicularly or inclined relative to the collection area (9), and the reservoir (5), which connects all the drainage channels in their lower part, the aforementioned elements being covered by the label/cap (4), also when the unsealing strip (2) is opened, the label/cap (4) flares out in the upper part (15) and the collection area is formed by a part (25) of the cap, a disc-cover (23) of the cap and a pouring trough (24); or the lid disc (23) will open when the container plug (1) is removed, the unsealing strip (2) breaking and thus forming the pouring trough (24), and when the pouring trough (24) is used for a liquid with a high viscosity, its edge is made serrated in a W shape; or the collection area is formed by the label/cap (4), the lid disc (23), the plug (1), the unsealing strip (2) and the reservoir (5). Device for recovering liquid droplets spilled from a container containing an absorbent material, according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (11) contains support and spacing fins (16), in the upper part of which a droplet collection area in the shape of a quarter of a circle is formed, which creates between them an area with liquid drainage/transport channels (14), positioned perpendicularly or inclined in relation to the collection area, and an area with absorbent material (5), which connects all the drainage channels in their lower part, the aforementioned elements being covered by the label/cap (4), at the same time when the unsealing strip (2) is opened, the label/cap (4) flares out in the upper part (15) and the collection area is formed by the part (25) of the cap, the cap-lid disc (23) and the pouring trough (24); or the collection area is formed by the label/cap (4), the lid disc (23), the stopper (1), the unsealing strip (2) and the area with absorbent material (5). Device for recovering liquid droplets spilled from a container containing an absorbent material, according to claim 1, characterized in that the absorbent material (5), mounted under the label/cap (4) of the container (6), is placed in such a way that, when the unsealing strip (2) is opened, a drop collection area (3) is created, formed by a space created when a spacer piece (18) is extracted, which also serves as a drop transport area to the absorbent material, the piece (18) being mounted in this space with the possibility of extraction together with the stopper (1), being glued to it, or the spacer piece (18) is fixed to the container (6) and is made with liquid transport channels to the absorbent material area (5), at the same time when the unsealing strip (2) is opened, the label/cap (4) flares out at the top (15) and the collection area is formed on the cap side (25), the cap cover disc (23) and the pouring trough (24); or the collection area is formed by the label/cap (4), the cap disc (23), the stopper (1), the unsealing strip (2) and the absorbent material area (5). Device for recovering liquid droplets spilled from a container, containing an absorbent material, according to claim 1, characterized in that the absorbent material (5) is located inside a plug (17) of the container (6), covered with a lid (19), so that when the lid (19) is opened, the spilled droplets are absorbed by the absorbent material area (5), formed around a central channel (22) of the plug (17), through the recovery area (8) with drain channels and a drop collection area (21), in which a channel with a check valve (20) is made, composed of a communication channel between this area and the container and a plastic or rubber disc closing this channel.