WO2011106823A1

WO2011106823A1 - Dispenser and/or closure

Info

Publication number: WO2011106823A1
Application number: PCT/AU2011/000179
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronald A. Roberts; Neno-Frans Burhoven Jaspers
Original assignee: Roberts Ronald A; Neno-Frans Burhoven Jaspers
Priority date: 2010-03-04
Filing date: 2011-02-22
Publication date: 2011-09-09
Also published as: AU2011223485A1

Abstract

A spill proof pourer is described having an annular body portion for insertion into the neck of a container, most suitably, a wine bottle, to form an inner insert for contact with the wine when pouring wine from the wine bottle. The insert extends beyond the top of the wine bottle so as to provide a lip or similar at the extreme distal or free end for contact by the wine when being poured from the wine bottle which prevents the wine from contacting the outer or end of the bottle where droplets can accumulate. The insert can take a variety of different forms and include a cylindrical membrane. The advantage of the spill-proof pourer is that leakage, wastage or spillage of the wine when being poured from the bottle is prevented since the insert forms a lip around the inside of the top of the bottle.

Description

DISPENSER AND/OR CLOSURE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to dispensers for dispensing fluids from containers. In one form , the present invention relates to a dispenser provided on or in a container for facilitating dispensing of the contents of the container so as to reduce wastage, spillage or leakage of the contents when being dispensed from the container.

In one form , the present invention relates to an insert which can be located within the outlet of a container to allow the contents of the container, particularly pourable materials, to be poured or dispensed from the container with reduced incidence of spillage, leakage or waste of the contents as they are being dispensed.

The present invention finds particular application as a pourer for location in the neck of a wine bottle to allow the wine to be poured from the bottle without spillage of the wine onto the immediate surroundings and/or the bottle, such as for example, the table top, table cloth, napkin or similar.

Although the present invention will be described with particular reference to one or more embodiments of the dispenser of the present invention , it is to be noted that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the described embodiment but rather the scope of the invention is more extensive so as to include other forms, arrangements and variations of the dispenser and the use of the various forms of the dispenser for applications other than the described application, including in the dispensing of a diverse range of materials from their respective containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although the present invention will be described with particular reference to a pourer locatable in the neck of a wine bottle, it is to be noted that the description relating to the wine bottle application is for clarity of expression of the description of the invention and ease of understanding of aspects of the invention only, and is not meant to be limiting of the scope of the invention. The dispenser of the present invention has application for use with a wide variety of different containers, for dispensing a wide variety of different materials including liquids and flowable solids and the like, in a variety of circumstances, such as sauces, oils, flowable powders, and a wide range of other materials used around the home and in industry.

Wine consumption in increasing on a worldwide basis. In many countries, it is difficult to keep up with demand. Accordingly, there is a greater production of wine in bottles which is opening wine consumption to many people new to drinking wine, particularly new people pouring wine into glasses at the table either at home or in restaurants. One problem of less experienced drinkers using wine bottles is that when pouring the wine from the bottle to the glass for consumption, there is a chance that spillage of the contents of the wine bottle can occur or droplets of the wine adhere to the outer surface of the bottle and drip onto the surroundings, such as table top, table cloth, napkin or similar. Experienced wine consumers are able to counter this drippage problem by twisting the neck of the bottle as the wine is being poured to as to alleviate the chances of droplets accumulating on the outer surface of the neck of the bottle and dripping onto the table cloth. However, inexperienced wine drinkers or newcomers to wine are not aware of this twisting technique and merely pour the wine from the bottle to the glass and spill the wine when doing so as the wine or droplets cling to the outside of the bottle when pouring the wine. Therefore, there is a need for a way of dispensing wine from bottles which reduces or eliminates the chance of wastage, leakage or spillage due to droplets of wine adhering to the wine bottle. Similar situations are encountered when pouring other liquids such as olive oil from bottles, milk from cartons, liqueurs from bottles, olive oil from bottles, sauces from bottles, and the like.

Leakage of liquids such as wine from glass or plastic bottles during pouring occurs frequently. The leakage of liquid is in part attributable to capillary action of the liquid on the outside walls of the bottle at the opening. The amount of leakage becomes evident when the bottle is moved from a pouring position to an upright position, at which time the leakage runs down the outside of the bottle and if not wiped up, can cause stains to table cloths and clothing. To minimise staining , particularly from red wines, it is common practice of restaurants and bars to wrap towels and other absorbent materials around the body of the bottle to soak up the leakage.

Observing this shortcoming with existing wine bottles, the inventors have investigated this problem and have determined that the shape of the inside of the neck of the wine bottle contributes to the adherence of droplets of wine to the outside surface of the neck resulting in the formation of droplets. After extensive investigation, the inventors have developed a dispensing aid which reduces the incidence of spillage, leakage or wastage of wine when being poured from wine bottles.

Accordingly, it is one aim of the present invention to modify the inside surface of the neck of a wine bottle to reduce wastage, leakage or spillage.

Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a dispensing aid for dispensing wine from wine bottles which does not result in wine adhering to the outside surface of the neck of the bottle in sufficient quantities to drip from the bottle.

Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a dispenser or dispensing aid in the form of an insert which can be located internally within the neck of a wine bottle to modify the flow characteristics of the wine being poured so as to reduce the formation of droplets of wine.

It is to be noted that not all embodiments of the present invention will satisfy all aims of the invention. Some embodiments will satisfy one aim, while other embodiments will satisfy another aim. Some embodiments will satisfy two or more aims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a bottle including:

a bottle neck having an outside surface; an opening in the bottle neck for pouring liquid from the bottle that is at least in part defined by an annular extremium at a distal end of the bottle; and an insert, typically in the form of a membrane that is located about the outside surface and extends distally thereof so that the membrane has a lip formation that contacts the liquid when poured from the opening of the bottle.

In one form , the outside surface of the bottle neck suitably has a first diameter that can be engaged by a closure for securing the closure onto the bottle, and even more suitably, the annular extremium has a second diameter that is less than the first diameter such that a gap is provided between the lip formation and the annular extremium .

Suitably, the first diameter is less than the diameter of the outermost surfaces of threads on the bottle neck which define a third diameter.

Suitably, the bottle neck includes a shoulder interconnecting the outside surface and the annular extremium. Suitably, the shoulder of the bottle neck includes a chamfered or tapered surface having a planar profile. Even more suitably, the shoulder of the bottle neck has a curved profile such as a quadrant of a circle. The shape of the shoulder is typically formed during moulding and manufacture of the bottle.

Suitably, the portion of the insert when in the form of a membrane extending distally of the side wall of the bottle neck has a diameter substantially equal to the first diameter of the bottle neck. The shape of the gap at a distal end of the bottle between the membrane and the annular extremium is therefore in part formed by the profile of the shoulder of the bottle neck and the diameter of the membrane.

According to the present invention, there is provided a closure for a bottle including a bottle neck having an outside surface and an opening for pouring liquid from the bottle, said opening at least in part defined by an annular extremium at a distal end of the bottle, and wherein the closure includes: a cap having a top panel with an inner sealing surface for sealing against the opening of the bottle and a skirt extending from the top panel for securing the cap over the opening; and

an annular membrane that is disposed about an inner surface of the cap, such that when the closure is initially applied to the bottle, the annular membrane is located about the outside surface of the bottle neck and extends distally thereof so that a lip formation is formed between the annular membrane and the annular extremium so that liquid poured from the bottle is in contact with the lip formation.

According to the present invention, there is provided a dispensing aid capable of assisting the dispensing of a fluid from a container, comprising a main body portion, one or more locating elements provided on or around the outer surface of the main body portion for locating the dispenser with respect to an opening of the container through which contents of the container are dispensed, and a lip portion provided at or towards one end of the main body portion for contacting the contents of the container when the contents are being dispensed, wherein when the dispensing aid is located in the opening of the container and a closure of the container removed or the container is in an open configuration, the lip portion extends at least partially beyond the opening of the container so as to allow the contents of the container to be dispensed without contact between the contents and the opening thereby facilitating dispensing of the contents from the container.

According to the present invention, there is provided a pouring insert for location with respect to an outlet of a container for facilitating dispensing of contents of the container from the outlet, said pouring insert comprising a hollow body having a first end for receiving contents of the container and a second end for discharging contents therefrom, the hollow body having one or more locating elements provided on an outer surface of the body for locating the insert within the outlet of the container in use of the insert, said second end provided with a rim portion wherein when the insert is located in the outlet of the container, the contents of the container are dispensed from the insert rim portion in preference to contacting the end of the outlet thereby facilitating dispensing of the contents of the container.

According to the present invention, there is provided a pouring insert for a bottle for assisting pouring liquid from the bottle without dripping the liquid from the bottle, said insert having a hollow body portion provided with an outlet end, at least one projection extending outwardly from the outer surface of the body for engaging the outlet of the bottle to securely locate the insert with respect to the bottle such that the discharge end of the body is located with respect to the outlet of the bottle so that when liquid is being poured from the bottle, the liquid contacts the discharge end of the insert when being dispensed.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of making a closure for a bottle neck having an outside surface and a distal annular extremium defining an opening, the closure having a top panel with an inner sealing surface for sealing against the opening of the bottle and a skirt extending from the top panel for securing the closure to a bottle, and wherein the method includes inserting an annular membrane into the closure so that a distal end of the annular membrane is located adjacent to the sealing surface and so that when applied to a bottle, the annular membrane is located about the outside surface of the bottle neck and extends distally thereof to form a lip formation so that liquid poured from the bottle can contact the lip formation.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for making a bottle neck having an outside surface and a distal annular extremium defining an opening , wherein the method includes applying an annular membrane about the outside surface of the bottle neck and extending distally thereof so that the annular membrane forms a lip formation that can contact liquid during pouring from the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ASPECTS OF EMBODIMENTS

In one form , the dispenser is a pouring aid. In one form , the pouring aid is a pourer. In one form , the pourer is an insert, typically a pouring insert, a pouring jacket, membrane, collar, sleeve, an anti-spill insert, a spout, a chute or the like. ln one form , the insert is an internal sleeve or similar insert for location within the neck of a bottle. In another form, the insert is an external sleeve or similar insert for location around the outside of the neck of a bottle.

In one form , the insert or jacket is a hollow insert. In one form , the hollow insert or jacket is generally cylindrical having a curved wall portion extending circumferentially around the body. In one form , the cylindrical body has a smaller dimension than the neck of the bottle or outlet of the bottle into which the insert is to be inserted for dispensing contents of the container.

In one form , the hollow body is of a constant diameter throughout its length, whereas other forms of the insert have a tapering side or wall portion so that the diameter of the insert is variable over its length. If tapering, the taper of the insert corresponds to the taper of the inside surface of the bottle. Typically, the walls of the insert have the same taper as the inside surface of the neck of the bottle. In one form , the taper is from a relatively larger diameter at or towards the upper end in use, which is the end closer to the outlet or opening of the bottle, in a direction towards a relatively smaller diameter at or towards the lower end in use which is the end further away from the opening or outlet of the bottle so as to assist in insertion of the pourer into the bottle. However, other tapers are possible.

In one form , the locating elements are projections. Typically, the projections extend outwardly from the outer surface of the hollow body of the insert. In one form, the projections are continuous or in another form , are discontinuous, being composed of a multitude of separate discrete projections, such as for example, rings, the arcs of a circle, chords of a circle, segments, sectors or the like located around the circumference of the outer surface in more or less regularly spaced apart locations.

In one form , the projections are lengthwise spaced apart. In one form, the projections are circumferentially spaced apart.

In one form , there are one, two, three, four or more rings located around the outside of the hollow body, typically, separated from each other in the lengthwise extending direction. The rings can be continuous, arcs, segmented or similar. If segmented, the projections are aligned with each other or are staggered or are off-set with respect to one another either circumferentially, lengthwise extending, or both.

In one form , the profile or cross-section of individual rings are tapered, or have a saw toothlike profile or are castellated in profile, or are square or rectangular, or are elliptical or similar. Any suitable shape or profile is possible.

In one form , the rings are resilient, deformable, bendable, or similar for improving the contact between the rings, particularly the end or edges of the rings and the inside surface of the container, particularly the neck of a bottle, to assist in securely locating the insert in the neck of the container, particularly the neck of a wine bottle.

In one form , the upper end of the insert is located at a position more extended from the top of the container, such as for example, being located proud of the top of the neck of the bottle. In one form , the end of the insert extends axially outwards of the top of the bottle. ln one form , the upper end of the insert is located at a position more extended from the top of the container, such as for example, being located proud of the top of the neck of the bottle so that when wine is poured from the bottle, the wine contacts the end of the insert and not the top of the bottle so that droplets of wine do not form around or on the outer surface of the neck of the bottle, such as by adhering to the glass bottle.

In one form , the insert is fixed in place within the top of the neck of the bottle and remains fixed during use, such as for example when pouring wine from the bottle. In another form , the insert has a fixed part and at least one movable part in which the movable part is used to pour wine from the bottle. In one form , the movable part is movable between an extended position and a retracted position.

In one form , the insert is provided with an inner part and an outer part. In one form, the inner part is movable with respect to the outer part which is fixed in the bottle.

In one form , the inner and outer parts are axially movable with respect to one another between a retracted position in which the inner part is substantially received within the outer part, and an extended position in which the inner part extends outwardly from the end of the outer part, typically from the end of the opening of the container.

In one form , there is a connector, typically a flexible connector located intermediate the inner and outer parts. Typically, the flexible connector allows the inner part to move with respect to the outer part. In one form , the inner part is biased towards the extended position, typically by the connector.

In one form , the dispenser of the present invention is in the form of a pourer, such as for example, of the "no-drip pourer" type which can be either temporarily or permanently inserted into the neck of a suitable container, such as a wine bottle, through the opening of the bottle to facilitate dispensing wine from the bottle with a reduced risk of spillage or waste by drops adhering to the outside surface or open end of the bottle.

In one form , the outside surface of the bottle neck suitably has a first diameter that can be engaged by a closure for securing the closure onto the bottle, and even more suitably, the annular extremium has a second diameter that is less than the first diameter such that a gap is provided between the lip formation and the annular extremium. Suitably, the first diameter is less than outermost surfaces of threads on the bottle neck which define a third diameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the dispenser will now be described to illustrate examples of the dispensing aid with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of the dispenser shown in isolation.

Figure 2 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1 .

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1 .

Figure 3a is a cross-sectional view of an alternative form of the gasket of the embodiment of

Figure 1 .

Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of Circle A of Figure 3 showing further details of the top of the embodiment of Figure 1 .

Figure 5 is an enlarged side view of an alternative arrangement of the sealing gasket. Figure 6 is an exploded side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention shown in isolation.

Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the dispenser of Figure 6 in an assembled condition when in an extended position shown in isolation.

Figure 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 6 in an assembled condition when in a retracted position shown in isolation.

Figure 9 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the dispenser of Figure 8 when in a retracted position located in situ within the neck of a wine bottle with the closure in place

Figure 10 is a partial side view of the dispenser of Figure 8 in an assembled configuration in the extended position located in situ within a bottle and showing the closure removed from the top of the wine bottle.

Figure 1 1 is a cross-sectional view of another form of the dispenser being in the form of an integral combination of the dispenser and a closure for a wine bottle shown in isolation.

Figure 12 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the dispenser of Figure 1 1 located in situ within the neck of a bottle in an extended position with the closure removed from the wine bottle in preparation for dispensing fluid from the wine bottle.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the dispenser in the form of an annular membrane in the form of a cylindrical sleeve insert for a closure and for a bottle according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the sleeve in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a top view of the sleeve shown in Figure 13. Figure 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a sleeve of Figure 13 and a closure having a blank cap and blank tamper evident band, and a step of inserting the sleeve into the closure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 17 is a longitudinal cross-section view illustrating a step of applying the closure formed by the method step in Figure 16 onto a bottle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 18a is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a bottle neck with the closure including a sleeve in accordance with the embodiment shown in Figures 16 and 17 when fitted to a bottle. The closure of Figure 18a has also been modified to include threads for screwing the closure onto and off the bottle.

Figure 18b is an enlarged view of the part of the bottle and closure shown in the dotted circle of Figure 18a.

Figure 19a is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the closure and bottle of Figure 18a in which the cap has been removed from the bottle, the tamper evident band of the closure remaining in position on the bottle and the sleeve in position over the bottle neck.

Figure 19b is an enlarged view of retain part of the bottle shown in the dotted circle of Figure 19a and shows that the distal end of the sleeve provides a lip formation that extends from the side wall of the bottle neck and forms a gap between the sleeve and an annular extremium forming the opening of the bottle.

Figure 20 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the sleeve of Figure 16.

Figure 21 is an enlarged view of the embodiment of Figure 16.

Figure 22 is an enlarged view of an alternative arrangement in which there is a gap located at or towards the end of the sleeve when located within a suitable closure, such as a screw cap or similar.

Figure 23 is a view of one form of the insert in the form of an external sleeve attached to the outside of the neck of a bottle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiments

In Figures 1 to 3 there is shown one form of a non-drip pourer, generally denoted as 10, incorporating generally aspects of the present invention. Pourer 10 is essentially a hollow cylindrical body 12 having an open upper end 14, (or distal end) in use through which wine can be discharged, such as for example when being poured from a wine bottle or similar container and an open lower end 16 (or proximal end) in use for being received into the neck of a bottle. Wine is introduced into the pourer 10 through lower open end 16 and discharged by pouring through open end 14. One or more locating elements in the form of several outwardly projecting circular ribs 18 located in axial or lengthwise extending spaced apart locations are provided on outer wall 17 of body 12 for engaging inner surface 20 of neck 22 of bottle 24 to securely locate pourer 10 within neck 22 of bottle 24. It is to be noted there can be any number of rings, ribs, ridges or the like 18. In one embodiment there are three ribs whereas in another embodiment there are four ribs. Ribs 18 can take any suitable form.

In one form, ribs 18 are regularly spaced apart from each other as discrete rings whereas in other forms, the projections are arranged as a continuous helical winding (not shown) around the outer surface from towards open upper end 14 to open lower end 16. Any form or configuration of the locating elements is possible.

In one form, the cross-section or profile of the projections or extensions in the form of rings has an upper edge 26 perpendicular to outer wall 17 of pourer 10, whereas lower edge 28 is inclined to wall 17 of pourer 10 by being tapered so as to produce a collective profile of a multiplicity of rings similar to a saw tooth profile or the like. Other configurations or shapes of the cross-sections or profile of the ribs are possible, such as having a square profile, a profile in which both upper and lower edges are inclined so as to be tapering or the like.

In one form (not shown), the locating elements for anchoring pourer 10 to inside surface 20 of neck 22 of wine bottle 24 are in the form of barbs (not shown) extending outwardly from the outer side wall of the body of pourer 10. In one form, the barbs are angularly inclined to the side wall, typically angularly inclined towards the upper open end 14 of pourer 10 to prevent pourer 10 being removed from or dislodged from the neck of the bottle, such as for example when being subject to axial forces in a direction towards the top of bottle 24.

In one form, body 12 of pourer 10 is made from a substantially rigid material allowing insertion of pourer 10 into neck 22 of bottle 24. However, it is preferred that the material from which pourer 10 is made have some flexibility, resilience, deformability or the like to assist in deformation of pourer 10 allowing pourer 10 to be readily inserted into neck 22 of bottle 24 so as to conform to the inside diameter of the neck. In one form, the ribs 18 are made from resilient, deformable, flexible material to allow for deformation of the locating elements to anchor pourer 10 inside the neck of the bottle by bearing against inside wall 20 of bottle 24, such as for example, by an interference fit, friction fit or similar. In one form, ribs 18 are biased for engagement with inner wall surface 20 of neck 22 of bottle 24.

In one form, an inner circular ridge 30 is circumferentially formed around the inner surface of the body 12 of pourer 10 close to the upper open end 14 of pourer 10 so as to form a pouring lip, rim or similar to further break the surface tension of the droplets of wine so as to reduce the chance of spillage of the wine when pouring wine from the bottle.

In one form, pourer 10 is provided with a seal in the form of an O-ring, gasket, washer 32 or the like located around the outside of pourer 10 adjacent open end 14 at the extreme upper end of pourer 10 as shown more particularly in Figures 1 to 3. O-ring 32 can be made of any suitable material and have any suitable shape, profile, size or the like. However, it is preferred that O-ring 32 is made from resilient material to aid sealing of the wine bottle.

In one form, the internal diameter of O-ring 32 is about the same as the normal external diameter of pourer 10, i.e. the diameter of wall 12 of pourer 10 without ribs 18, so that O-ring 32 can rest upon the upper surface of the uppermost rib 18 and be supported at the open upper end of pourer 10 as shown more particularly in Figure 3. O-ring 32 acts as a seal against the usual closure of the wine bottle, such as the screw cap or Stelvin cap by engaging against the undersurface or inner surface of the screw cap closure and the opening at the top of the neck of the wine bottle.

In one form, the profile of the O-ring 32 is square or rectangular so that there is a mating surface between the outer wall of pourer 10 and the inside edge of O-ring 32 and also between the upper perpendicular edge of the uppermost rib 18 and the undersurface of O-ring 32 to form a mating seal between the O-ring and pourer.

In one form, the inner lower corner of O-ring 32 is provided with a groove 34 or similar such as a cut-out, rebate, bevelled edge or the like as shown more particularly in Figures 3 and 4 so as to receive a bead of adhesive or bonding material (not shown) to adhere O-ring 32 to upper end of pourer 10.

In one form, O-ring 32 is separate to pourer 10 whereas in another form, O-ring 32 can be formed integrally with pourer 10 by both being joined to one another through land 36 extending from the distal rim of the upper edge 26 of the uppermost rib 18 to O-ring 32 so that O-ring 32 is located in place with respect to pourer 10 when the pourer is received in the wine bottle and is retained in place by land 36 as shown more particularly in Figure 5.

It is to be noted that the upper rim of pourer 10 or the upper surface of O-ring 32 is at least level with and preferably proud of the top of the wine bottle so that the wine when being poured from the wine bottle does not contact the top of the wine bottle so that the wine when being poured from the wine bottle does not contact the top of the wine bottle but rather contacts the pourer thereby preventing droplets being retained on the bottle but flowing smoothly from the bottle with little or no tendency to spill from the bottle as it pours through pourer 10 and over the end or upper internal edge of pourer 10.

In one form, the sealing gasket, such as in the form of O-ring 32, is more or less permanently located within the interior of the closure, i.e. inside the screw cap or stelvin cap used to close the wine bottle. When the cap is removed from the bottle the top of pourer 10 extends slightly from the opening of the bottle to form a pouring rim or lip to which little or no wine residue adheres after pouring wine from the bottle.

In one form, pourer 10 is fixed in placed within the neck of the bottle, whereas in another form, the pourer 10 is movable with the neck of the bottle in response to removal of the screw cap. Preferably, pourer 10 is biased to move in a direction to extend from the opening of the bottle.

In one form, gasket 30 is provided with a seal in the form of a membrane 38 or similar forming a film, seal, closure over the aperture formed inside gasket 30 as shown in Figure 3a.

Membrane 38 can take any suitable or convenient form and be made of any suitable material. Membrane 38 is pierced immediately prior to dispensing wine from bottle 24 or at any convenient time.

Second Embodiments

Another embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention will now be described. This embodiment which is illustrated in one form in Figures 6 to 10 and in another form in Figures 1 1 and 12, is essentially of a three part construction or a three component construction having an outer fixed body 52 for insertion into the neck of a bottle, an inner axially movable tube 72 and a flexible connector 82, typically in the form of a flexible membrane located intermediate inner movable tube 72 and outer fixed body 52 allowing inner tube 72 to extend from the opening of bottle 24 when closure 90 is removed. In this form, pourer 50 includes outer substantially cylindrical hollow body 52 having an upper end cap 54 provided with a central substantially circular opening 56 defined by downwardly depending skirt 58 terminating in an outwardly directed circular flange 60 defining the inner end of circular opening 56. The undersurface of end cap 54, the outer surface of skirt 58 and flange 60 form groove 62 for receiving and retaining one part of flexible connector 72.

One form of flexible connector 72 is a membrane such as a rubber tube, rubber strip, rubber sheath or the like. In one form, the flexible connector is in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube having an open upper or distal end and an open lower or proximal end. Upper end is provided with a ring of less flexible material in the form of a collar 84 or similar, much in the manner of the top of the inlet to a balloon. Collar 84 is received within groove 62 to anchor one end of flexible connector 72 to the undersurface of end cap 54 as shown more particularly in Figures 7 and 8. The other end of flexible connector 82 is also provided with a ring of more rigid material in the form of lower collar 86, again in the manner of the end of the inlet of a balloon.

In one form, the centrally located open ended tube 72 is in the form of an open cylinder or cylindrical tube centrally located within aperture 56 of cap 54 for axial movement with respect to fixed body 52. Tube 72 is made from a suitable plastics material and is rigid or semi-rigid. A

circumferential ridge or flange 74 is located at or towards the lower end or distal end in use forming a shoulder, ridge or similar projection for receiving therearound collar 86 of flexible connector 82 by collar 86 being located over shoulder 74 to anchor the lower proximal end of the flexible connector allowing tube 72 to be biased towards an extended position as shown more particularly in Figure 7 and to move axially with respect to outer body 52 when closure 90 is removed from wine bottle 24.

An inboard circumferential projection in the form of an inboard ridge 76 is located around the inner circumference of the upper lend or distal end of inner tube 72 to assist in smooth pouring of wine from bottle 24 as the wine contacts ridge 76.

Use of this embodiment of the dispenser will now be described. Outer body 52, inner tube

72, and flexible connector 82 are assembled together to form a single integrated unit 88 as shown more particularly in Figures 7 and 8 in an extended configuration (Figure 7) and a retracted configuration (Figure 8). Unit 88 is pushed or otherwise forced into neck 22 of bottle 24 so that the outwardly extending projections in the form of ribs 18 cooperatively engage with the inside surface 20 of neck 22 of bottle 24 to securely locate unit 88 in bottle 24. In this position, inner tube 72 extends to a maximum amount from the opening of the top of the neck of the bottle as shown in Figure 10. When closure 90 is applied to the top of bottle 24 the undersurface of closure 90 contacts the extended or distal end of tube 72 and forces tube 72 within outer body 52 to adopt a retracted position as shown in Figure 9. In this position, membrane 82 is stretched to provide a biasing force to inner tube 72.

When the closure in the form of screw cap or Stelvin cap 90 is removed, inner tube 72 being axially biased by stretched connector 82 extends outwards under the influence of the biasing force provided by flexible connector 82 to adopt a fully extended position allowing wine to be poured from the wine bottle without spilling or dripping or without the wine droplets adhering to the bottle and dripping from the bottle.

Third Embodiments

A further embodiment is shown in Figure 1 1 and 12 which embodiment is an integral unit formed from closure 90 in combination with pourer 50 in which the outer top surface of pourer 50, more particularly, the upper end of body 52 and cap 54 are adhered to the undersurface of closure 90 to form a single assembly 94 as shown in Figure 1 1. The assembly can be mounted to bottle 24 in a single operation of closing bottle 24 thereby inserting pourer 50 into the neck of bottle 24. Preferably assembly 94 is rotated or twisted when being applied to the top of bottle 24.

Closure 90 can then be removed from bottle 24, leaving pourer 52 in situ within neck 22 of bottle 24 with inner tube 72 in an extended position as shown more particularly in Figure 12. In this position, wine can be poured from bottle 24.

Fourth Embodiments

Another set of embodiments of the dispensing aid in the form of a membrane will now be described.

The detailed description relates to embodiments of a closure, bottle and methods for making either the closure or bottle having one or other forms of the insert, particularly inte form of a membrane or similar. An element common to this group of embodiments is a sleeve for fitting about the bottle neck so as to form a lip formation for contact with liquid being poured from the bottle to reduce the amount of spillage, wastage or leakage during pouring.

Figures 13 to 15 illustrate a perspective view, a longitudinal cross-sectional view, and a top view of another embodiment of the insert being in the form of a sleeve respectively for a closure and for a bottle neck in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The sleeve is in the form of an integrally formed cylindrical membrane. The sleeve may, for example, be made of metallic materials, polymeric materials or a lamination of the combination. Suitably, the sleeve is hydrophilic and made from a polyolefin material. Ideally, the sleeve includes polymeric materials having shrink properties when exposed to heat. Even more suitably, the sleeve is made of a mono-orienting or mono-directional polymeric material that shrinks circumferentially, but does not shrink in an axial direction when exposed to heat.

As can be seen in Figure 16, the sleeve is inserted into a closure including: i) a cap 1 1 1 having a top panel 1 12 with an inner sealing surface 1 13 and an annular skirt 1 14 extending from the sealing surface 1 13, and ii) a tamper evident band 115 that is connected to the annular skirt 1 14 by frangible bridges (not shown in the Figures). Although not shown in the Figures, the cap 1 1 1 of the closure may also include an annular recess at the junction between the top panel 1 12 and the skirt 1 14. If present, the recess may extend upward of the sealing surface 1 13 when viewed in an upright orientation as shown in Figures 16 and 17.

The sleeve 1 10 is inserted into the closure prior to the closure being fitted to the bottle as shown in Figure 16. As shown in Figure 17, the sleeve 1 10 is inserted so that a distal end 1 10d of the sleeve 1 10 is located against the sealing surface 1 13 of the cap 1 1 1 or, if present in the annular recess. Ideally, the length of the sleeve 1 10 in an axial direction is substantially equal to the inside length of the skirt 1 14 and the tamper evident band 1 15 so that the proximal end of the sleeve aligns with the open end of the tamper evident band 1 15 as shown in Figure 17.

In order to prevent the sleeve 1 10 from becoming dislodged from its desired position in the closure prior to the closure being fitted to the bottle, an adhesive 130 (see Figure 13) may be applied between the sleeve 1 10 and the closure, and suitably between the sleeve 1 10 and the tamper evident band 1 15.

The closure may or may not have preformed threads for engaging co-operating threads on the bottle neck. In the case of the embodiment shown in the Figures, the closure is initially a blank without threads, and when the closure is applied to the bottle neck 1 16, threads are pressed into the skirt 1 14 so that the profile of the skirt 1 14 conforms with the profile of the threads 1 17 of the bottle necks 1 16. Typically the threads are pressed into the skirt 1 14 by means of rollers applying a pressing force. Suitably, the cap 1 1 1 and the tamper evident band 1 15 comprise an alloy body having a protective polymeric coating that can be readily modified when applied to the bottle to include threads. Alternatively, the cap may also have pre-formed threads for co-operating with the threads of the bottle neck. In this instance, the cap may be made from pre-moulded plastics or other materials.

In any event, during or after the closure being applied, the sleeve 1 10 suitably has shrink properties in a circumferential direction and when exposed to heat the sleeve 1 10 takes-up the shape of the threads 1 17 of the bottle so as to tightly fit the threads 1 17, as shown in Figures 19a and 19b. The present inventor has found that adequate heating and shrinkage of the sleeve 1 10 can be provided by the heat generated by pressing threads 1 18 into the skirt 1 14 of the cap 1 1 1. In other words in one embodiment, the steps of forming threads into the skirt 1 14 of the cap and heating the sleeve 1 10 to shrink fit the sleeve 1 10 to the bottle neck can be provided during the rolling step. One of the advantages of using the heat generated by pressing into the cap 1 1 1 to heat the sleeve 1 10 is that the amount of heat applied to the sleeve 1 10 is limited in quantity and is applied to specific regions, namely to regions local of the threads 1 17 of the bottle 1 16. In the event that a closure with pre-formed threads is applied to the bottle, or if the heat generated by pressing threads into the cap is not sufficient, to adequately heat shrink the sleeve, an additional heating step may be used to shrink fit the sleeve to the bottle neck.

In any event, as can be best be seen in Figures 18b and 19b, the distal end 1 10d of the sleeve provides a lip formation 120 that is not in contact with the outside surface of the bottle neck 1 16. More particularly, the bottle neck 1 16 includes an opening 127 for pouring liquid defined by an annular extremium 122 at a distal end of the bottle neck 1 16, an outside surface having threads 1 17 and a rounded shoulder portion 123 interconnecting the annular extremium 122 and the outside surface. The outside surface of the bottle neck 1 16 has a first diameter "D" and the annular extremium 122 has a second diameter "D" that is less than the first diameter "D". In the case of the embodiment shown in Figures 18b and 19b, the lip formation 120 of the sleeve 1 10 has a diameter approximate the first diameter D of the outside surface and extends therefrom so as to form a gap between the lip formation 120 and the curved shoulder. Ideally, the lip formation 120 extends beyond the annular extremium 122 by up to 1 mm or 2mm, as shown in Figures 18b and 19b, but this is not necessarily the case. However in some embodiments (not illustrated) the bottle neck 1 16 may be configured without a curved shoulder formation in which case, the annular extremium 122 and the outside surface of the bottle neck 1 16 are square set. In other words the (second) diameter of the annular extremium substantially equals the (first) diameter of the outside surface so that there is not a gap between the distal end of the sleeve and the bottle neck as shown in Figures 18b and 19b. In this situation, it is recommended that the lip formation extend beyond, or distally of, the annular extremium to provide a surface of the sleeve that can be contacted by liquid being poured from the bottle. However as described above, in the situation in which the diameter of the outside surface of the bottle neck (i.e. first diameter) is greater than the diameter of the annular extremium (i.e. the second diameter), the sleeve extends distally from the outside surface to form the lip formation. The lip formation may or may not extend distally of the annular extremium of the opening.

In one form, sleeve 1 10 shown in Figures 20 to 22 can go right to the top of the bottom part of top panel 1 12 and the barrier will be inside sleeve 1 10.

In one form of one embodiment not shown in the Figures, rather than the sleeve being inserted into the cap, the sleeve may be fitted over the bottle neck independently of the closure and secured in position by suitably means. For example, the sleeve may be secured in position by means of an adhesive and/or by means of the sleeve shrink fitting in a radial direction.

In one form, the insert is an internal insert. However, an alternative embodiment is an external sleeve or a sleeve that fits externally over the bottle top part, particularly around the outside of the neck of a bottle. In one form, the sleeve can be located around the outside of a champagne bottle, or a bottle having a shape similar to or resembling a champagne bottle. The sleeve remains the same but is longer and simply slides over the bottle neck and will stop at a certain point due to the curved shape of the bottle, with the top of the sleeve just above the top of the bottle so as to extend slightly outwardly of the top of the bottle. The bottle then gets capped in the normal way. When the cork pops, the sleeve which will remain on the neck as it does not interact with the cork, forms a lip for pouring the contents of the bottle.

The described arrangement has been advanced by explanation and many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which includes every novel feature and novel combination of features herein disclosed.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope.

Claims

A bottle including:

a bottle neck having an outside surface;

an opening in the bottle neck for pouring liquid from the bottle that is at least in part defined by an annular extremium at a distal end of the bottle; and an insert, typically in the form of a membrane that is located about the outside surface and extends distally thereof so that the membrane has a lip formation that contacts the liquid when poured from the opening of the bottle.

A closure for a bottle including a bottle neck having an outside surface and an opening for pouring liquid from the bottle, said opening at least in part defined by an annular extremium at a distal end of the bottle, and wherein the closure includes:

a cap having a top panel with an inner sealing surface for sealing against the opening of the bottle and a skirt extending from the top panel for securing the cap over the opening; and

A dispensing aid capable of assisting the dispensing of a fluid from a container, comprising a main body portion, one or more locating elements provided on or around the outer surface of the main body portion for locating the dispenser with respect to an opening of the container through which contents of the container are dispensed, and a lip portion provided at or towards one end of the main body portion for contacting the contents of the container when the contents are being dispensed, wherein when the dispensing aid is located in the opening of the container and a closure of the container is removed or the container in an open configuration, the lip portion extends at least partially beyond the opening of the container so as to allow the contents of the container to be dispensed without contact between the contents and the opening thereby facilitating dispensing of the contents from the container.

A pouring insert for location with respect to an outlet of a container for facilitating dispensing of contents of the container from the outlet, said pouring insert comprising a hollow body having a first end for receiving contents of the container and a second end for discharging contents therefrom, the hollow body having one or more locating elements provided on an outer surface of the body for locating the insert within the outlet of the container in use of the insert, said second end provided with a rim portion wherein when the insert is located in the outlet of the container, the contents of the container are dispensed from the insert rim portion in preference to contacting the end of the outlet thereby facilitating dispensing of the contents of the container.

A pouring insert for location with respect to an outlet of a container for facilitating dispensing of contents of the container from the outlet, said pouring insert comprising a hollow body having a first end for receiving contents of the container and a second end for discharging contents therefrom , the hollow body having one or more locating elements provided on an outer surface of the body for locating the insert within the outlet in use of the insert, said second end provided with a rim portion wherein when the insert is located in the outlet of the container, the contents of the container are dispensed from the insert rim portion in preference to contacting the end of the outlet thereby facilitating dispensing of the contents of the container.

A pouring insert for a bottle for assisting pouring liquid from the bottle without dripping the liquid from the bottle, said insert having a hollow body portion provided with an outlet end, at least one projection extending outwardly from the outer surface of the body for engaging the outlet of the bottle to securely locate the insert with respect to the bottle such that the discharge end of the body is located with respect to the outlet of the bottle so that when liquid is being poured from the bottle, the liquid contacts the discharge end of the insert when being dispensed.

A method of making a closure for a bottle neck having an outside surface and a distal annular extremium defining an opening, the closure having a top panel with an inner sealing surface for sealing against the opening of the bottle and a skirt extending from the top panel for securing the closure to a bottle, and wherein the method includes inserting an annular membrane into the closure so that a distal end of the annular membrane is located adjacent to the sealing surface and so that when applied to a bottle, the annular membrane is located about the outside surface of the bottle neck and extends distally thereof to form a lip formation so that liquid poured from the bottle can contact the lip formation.

8. A method for making a bottle neck having an outside surface and a distal annular extremium defining an opening, wherein the method includes applying an annular membrane about the outside surface of the bottle neck and extending distally thereof so that the annular membrane forms a lip formation that can contact liquid during pouring from the opening.

9. A dispensing aid capable of assisting the dispensing of a fluid from a container, comprising a main body portion , one or more locating elements around the outer surface of the main body portion for locating the dispenser with respect to an opening of the container through which contents of the container are dispensed, and a lip portion provided at or towards one end of the main body portion for contacting the contents of the container when the contents are being dispensed, wherein when the dispensing aid is located in the opening of the container with the closure of the container removed or the container in an open configuration, the lip portion extends at least partially beyond the opening of the container so as to allow the contents of the container to be dispensed without contact between the contents and the opening thereby facilitating dispensing of the contents from the container.

A pouring insert for location with respect to an outlet of a container for facilitating dispensing of contents of the container from the outlet, said pouring insert comprising a hollow body having a first end for receiving contents of the container and a second end for discharging contents therefrom, the hollow body having one or more locating elements provided on an outer surface of the body for locating the insert within the outlet in use of the insert, said second end provided with a rim portion wherein when the insert is located in the outlet of the container, the contents of the container are dispensed from the insert rim portion in preference to contacting the end of the outlet thereby facilitating dispensing of the contents of the container.

A pouring insert for a bottle for assisting pouring liquid from the bottle without dripping the liquid from the bottle, said insert having a hollow body portion provided with an outlet end, at least one projection extending outwardly from the outer surface of the body for engaging the outlet of the bottle to securely locate the insert with respect to the bottle such that the discharge end of the body is located with respect to the outlet of the bottle so that when liquid is being poured from the bottle, the liquid contacts the discharge end of the insert thereby substantially avoiding dripping of the liquid from the bottle.

A dispensing aid capable of assisting the dispensing of a fluid from a container, comprising a main body portion, one or more locating elements around the outer surface of the main body portion for locating the dispenser with respect to an opening of the container through which contents of the container are dispensed, and a lip portion provided at or towards one end of the main body portion for contacting the contents of the container when the contents are being dispensed, wherein when the dispensing aid is located in the opening of the container with the closure of the container removed or the container in an open configuration, the lip portion extends at least partially beyond the opening of the container so as to allow the contents of the container to be dispensed without contact between the contents and the opening thereby facilitating dispensing of the contents from the container.

A dispensing aid or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the dispensing aid is a hollow insert or jacket or membrane having a generally curved wall portion extending circumferentially around the body of the dispensing aid so as to define a cylindrical body having a smaller dimension than the neck of the container or outlet of the container into which the insert is located.

A dispensing aid or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the locating elements are projections extending outwardly from the outer surface of the hollow body of the insert wherein the projections are either continuous or are comprising a plurality of separate discrete projections located around the circumference of the outer surface of the insert.

A dispensing aid or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the projections are rings located around the outside of the hollow body of the insert wherein there are two, three, four or more separate rings.

A dispensing aid or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the rings are resilient, deformable, bendable or made of a deformable plastics material for improving the contact between the rings including the end or edges of the rings and the inside surface of the container to assist in securely locating the insert in the neck of the container.

A dispensing aid or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the end of the insert extends from the top of the container so that the end of the insert is located proud of the top of the container so that the contents of the container contact the protruding end of the insert so as to prevent spillage, leakage or wastage of the contents of the container. A dispensing aid or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the insert is fixed in place within the top of the container adjacent the opening of the container so as to remain fixed in place during discharge of the contents from the container.

A dispensing aid or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the insert is a one piece insert in the form of a sleeve or membrane for location within the opening of the container or the insert is a two or more part insert comprising a first part which is fixed within the container and a second part which is movable with respect to the first part for use in dispensing the contents of the container wherein the movable part is movable between an extended position allowing the contents of the container to be dispensed without depreciable wastage, leakage or spillage and a retracted position allowing the container to be sealed by a closure.

A dispensing aid or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the movable part of the dispensing aid is an inner part and the outer part is the fixed part arranged such that the inner part is movable with respect to the outer part.

A dispensing aid or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the inner part is axially movable with respect to the outer part between the retracted position in which the inner part is substantially received within the outer part and an extended position in which the inner part extends outwardly from the end of the outer part, typically the free or distal end of the outer part so as to dispense contents of the container without spillage, leakage or wastage.

A dispensing aid or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the container is a bottle suitable for conveying wine such as for example, a wine bottle, in which the outside surface of the neck of the bottle has a first diameter that can be engaged by a closure for securing the closure to the bottle, and wherein the annular exterior has a second diameter that is less than the first diameter such that a gap is provided between the lip formation and the annular extremium.

A dispensing aid or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that a portion of the insert when in the form of a membrane extending distally from the side wall of the container has a diameter substantially equal to the first diameter of the bottle neck whereby a gap is formed at the distal end of the bottle between the membrane and the annular extremium is formed such that the shape of the gap is in part formed by the profile of part of the bottle neck and the diameter of the membrane.

26. A dispensing aid or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the closure of the container is a cap arranged such that when the cap is removed, the annular membrane is retained in position of the bottle so as to alter the pouring characteristics of the bottle so as to reduce spillage, leakage or wastage of liquid during pouring of the container.

A dispensing aid or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the annular membrane is located so that the distal end of the annular membrane abuts against the sealing surface of the cap.

A dispensing aid or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that when the closure has been applied to the container and the cap of the closure removed, the amount of the distal end of the annular membrane protruding from the top of the container is in the range of from about 1 mm to about 3 mm above or below the annular extremium at the opening of the bottle.

A dispensing aid or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the dispensing aid is in the form of an annular membrane which includes a shrink wrap membrane which is in an expanded state prior to closure of the container and once applied to the container, the annular membrane shrinks to locate the annular membrane on the container.

A dispensing aid or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the annular membrane contains a shrink wrap material wherein the shrink wrap material is uni- axially shrinkable in the circumferential direction of the sleeve.

A dispensing aid or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the closure includes a tamper evident band that is attached to the skirt by frangible bridges.

A dispensing aid or method according to any preceding claim in that the insert is an external sleeve adapted to be fitted to the outside of the neck of a bottle, particularly a champagne style bottle, to extend slightly beyond the end of the opening of the neck of the bottle to form a pouring tip or lip to prevent the accumulation of droplets on the top or outside of the bottle.

33. A dispensing aid or method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.