WO2023126981A1 - A tamper proof device for precise dispensing of a liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention comprises a device for packaging a liquid only once and enabling dispensing the packaged liquid manually with precision in multiple portions of pre-set volumes as and when desired, and the device is rendered incapable of refilling, reused, repurposed after partial or complete emptying of the packaged liquid. In one aspect the device as is a bottle that acts as liquid storage and liquid dispenser. In the claimed device the flow of the liquid in the dispenser is only unidirectional. In the device as described above, the Bottom Cover can only rotate in one direction and at set intervals, the plunger would only move upwards and never downwards, accordingly the dispenser can never be reused after one use or refilled for reuse.

Description

“A TAMPER PROOF DEVICE FOR PRECISE DISPENSING OF A LIQUID”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

Field of the invention pertains to a device for dispensing liquids. In particular, this invention pertains to a tamper and adulteration proof device. This device is also for precision dispensing of a liquid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

This invention serves to overcome problems in retail sale of expensive liquid products where their accurate dispensing of smaller portions is of a paramount importance. This invention serves to overcome problems in retail sale of expensive liquid products arising from fraud of filling spurious product in the original looking bottle. Relevant products are alcohol, wine, food beverage industry and pharmaceutical industry and similar other products. Credibility of a brand of a premium and expensive liquid product such as premium brands of alcohol is very aggressively projected and protected by the industry. This is done primarily by basic adherence for very strict quality control before the product is packaged followed by providing a tamper-proof seal to the bottle as well as to the cartons used for packaging of the bottles and to the shippers in which the cartons are packaged. However, modem technology has enabled counterfeiters also for enabling refdling empty bottles of premium expensive brands by counterfeit locally manufactured low quality alcohol and reproducing the appearance of the refilled bottle with such precision that it is impossible to differentiate the genuine bottle from a refilled bottle with counterfeit alcohol and sell it to unsuspecting consumer as genuine brand without any difficulty. For example, on Dec 3, 2016, The Times of India newspaper reported Fake ‘imported’ booze bottling plant on the link

erest&utm medium^:=text&utm campaign-cppst . The report further notes that these bottles may be just cheap liquor with a dash of the original — bottled in a local residential complex. The report also further notes that since April 2016, the department has registered 15 cases for the sale of adulterated alcohol in Mumbai. Several hundred empty bottles of premium alcohol were recovered. This is just one example of what happens round the world resulting in huge loss to premium brand owners in terms of loss of revenue as well as loss of reputation and credibility that has been assiduously built-up by hard and diligent work of several decades; and loss to the consumers by way of paying high price for sub-standard alcohol which may even be injurious to health at times having life threatening consequences and huge loss of tax revenue to the Governments.

In another aspect, in a retail catering industry in hotels and restaurants, it is very easy to make admixtures or refilling with low quality/low-cost altematives/duplicate/spurious alcohol in half consumed or fully consumed containers of expensive and high-quality liquor brands and serve to customers. In a further aspect, in a retail catering industry it is very easy to serve lesser volume than expected of the expensive brand alcohols; and there is no practical way to check each time whether correct volume has been dispensed.

Moreover, there is an inherent need to dispense the liquid with precision both in terms of its dosage as well as the commercials associated with it when the liquid is a drug. When liquid is dispensed from a bottle, it is practically impossible to make accurate dispensing. If the liquid is a thick syrup, it is impossible to control the amount dispensed. Any differential in its measurement is unaffordable from the health as well as the commercial point of view. Further, spillover on outer surface of bottles makes its handling messy and unhygienic.

Thus, there is a need to develop devices for fdling liquids of various types such that their accurate dispensing becomes very convenient; and at the same time, refilling of the bottles/devices should be made very difficult. There is a need to minimize scope for refilling of bottle / dispensers which are filled with high quality, high value liquids of original Brands. Thus, packaging liquid products in such tamper-proof, accurate dispensing and refill-proof devices will improve the consumer confidence, consumer preference and consumer loyalty for brands which would use such devices for packaging their products.

A solution to this problem is urgently needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: This invention comprises a device for packaging a liquid only once and enabling dispensing the packaged liquid manually with precision in multiple portions of pre-set volumes as and when desired, and the device is rendered incapable of refilling, reused, repurposed after partial or complete emptying of the packaged liquid. In one aspect the device as is a bottle that acts as liquid storage and liquid dispenser.

In the claimed device the flow of the liquid in the dispenser is only unidirectional. This feature is achieved by fixing a Lead Screw to the Bottom Cover of the dispenser, the Bottom Cover rotates along one direction only. When the bottom cover is rotated in the one direction only at preset intervals/angles, a plunger with female threading moves up vertically along the Lead Screw. As the plunger is pushed upwards, the liquid is pushed out commensurate with rotation of the Bottom Cover along preset intemals/angles, in measured, predefined controlled volumes through the unidirectional rubber valve. The valve opens up only when there is pressure from bottom and the liquid is then poured out.

In the device as described above, the Bottom Cover can only rotate in one direction and at set intervals, the plunger would only move upwards and never downwards, accordingly the dispenser can never be reused after one use or refilled for reuse.

The device further comprises a snap mechanism (shown with arrows in Figure 4.1 and Figure 4.2) designed with Bottom Cover and Bottom Lock parts, which generates Knock/click sound when the Bottom Cover is rotated in one pre-designed direction to push the plunger upwards to the extent of rotation against the Lead Screw generating dispensing liquid in proportion relevant to the upwards displacement of the plunger.

The knock / click sound is generated based on the feature 25 (Figure 4.1) on the inner side of the rotatable Bottom Cover, which pushes the snap 24 (Figure 4.1) on the inner side of the Bottom Lock part when it traverses its path along with the turn of the Bottom Cover, while traversing the snap 24 it causes the snap to lift up as at one end the snap is hinged to the Bottom Lock part. As soon as the feature 25 moves past the snap 24 with the release of the upward push provided by the feature 25 the snap 24 gets suddenly released producing the knock/click sound.

The device claimed in this invention is used for storing as well as dispensing any one of a liquid, without limitation, comprising alcohol, medical liquids, medical liquids requiring accurate dispensation, perfumes, cooking oils, lubrication oils applicable for automotive and industrial use, laboratory equipment, food beverages and non-alcoholic aerated, non-aerated beverages and the like.

Process of dispensation of liquids from the device comprises the steps of holding the bottle shaped device in upright position i.e. bottom pointing towards the floor and the opening of the bottle pointing towards upward direction, holding the bottle in left hand and with the right hand rotating the Bottom Cover in anticlockwise direction; conversely, in liquid dispensing position i.e. for dispensing the liquid in a receptacle, holding the bottle in left hand and rotating the Bottom Cover in clockwise direction, after a rotation of the Bottom Cover, noticing a knock/click sound to secure intended volume of liquid discharge as designed to be discharged for the degree of rotation achieved.

The rotation for dispensing desired volume of liquid comprises a fraction of one complete rotation of the Bottom Cover, the fraction of the designed rotation is indicated by the knock/click sound of the snap. After hearing the knock/click sound is heard, the Bottom Cover cannot be rotated in reverse direction, thus ensuring that the plunger pushed the liquid up in single/dispensing direction only.

A method of filling liquid in device as claimed comprises following steps: the device comprising two sub-assemblies (figure 3), Top-half (22) and Bottom-half (23) are made before entering the liquid filling station, the liquid is filled first in the Bottom half through the hole provided on the top, and the Top-half is assembled thereafter on to the Bottom-half either through snaps/screw/glue arrangement. The snaps/screw or glue mechanism is prone to damage upon attempt to dismantle the two sub-assemblies after filling in the liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS: The objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in accordance with the accompanying drawings wherein,

Figure la: Embodiment 1 of “Tamper proof device for precision dispensing of a liquid”.

Figure la.l: View of the assembled tamper proof device for precise dispensing of a liquid.

Figure la.2: Vertical section view of the assembled tamper proof device according to Figure la.l. Figure la.3: Exploded view of the tamper proof device according to Figure la.2 showing: Cap-1; Cap Seal-2; Top Cover-3, Top Cover Seal-4; Main Body-5; Lead screw-6; Plunger Rubber Bush-7; Plunger Seal-8; Plunger-9; Bottom Lock- 10; Bottom Cover-11.

Figure lb: Spare parts of the device of Embodiment 1 : Cap-1; Cap Seal-2; Top Cover-3, Top Cover Seal-4.

Figure 1c: Spare parts of the device of Embodiment 1: Main Body-5; Lead screw-6; Plunger Rubber Bush-7’ Plunger Seal-8; Plunger-9.

Figure Id: Spare parts of the device of Embodiment 1 : Bottom Lock- 10; Bottom

Cover-11. Figure 2a: Embodiment 2 of “Tamper proof device for precision dispensing of a liquid”.

Figure 2a.1: View of the assembled tamper proof device of Embodiment 2 for precise dispensing of a liquid. Figure 2a.2: Vertical section view of the assembled tamper proof device of Embodiment 2 according to Figure 2a.1.

Figure 2a.3: Exploded view of the tamper proof device of Embodiment 2 according to

Figure 2a.2 showing: cap-12, Top cover-13, Valve-14: Top Cover Seal-15, Main

Body- 16, Lead screw- 17, Plunger Seal- 18, Plunger- 19, Bottom Lock-20, Bottom Cover-21.

Figure 2b: Spare parts of the device of Embodiment 2: Cap-12; Cap Seal-13; Top Cover-14, Top Cover Seal-15; Main Body-16, Lead screw-17.

Figure 2c: Spare parts of the device of Embodiment 2: Plunger Seal-18, Plunger-19, Bottom Lock-20, Bottom Cover-21. Figure 3: Two sub-assemblies of the liquid dispenser of option 1 for filling liquid in the dispenser: Top-half-22, Bottom-half-23.

Figure 4: The snap on Bottom Lock part of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 3.

Figure 4.1 : Snaps shown with arrow mark moves up and down - 24. Locks - 25. Figure 4.2: Detailed drawing of the Snaps.

Figure 5a: Embodiment 3 of “Tamper proof device for precision dispensing of a liquid”.

Figure 5a.1: View of the assembled tamper proof device for precise dispensing of a liquid.

Figure 5a.2: Vertical section view of the assembled tamper proof device according to Figure 5 a.1.

Figure 5a.3: Exploded view of the tamper proof device according to Figure 5a.2 showing: Cap-1; Cap Seal -2, Top Cover with Seal-3; Main Body-4; Lead screw-5; Plunger with Seal-6; Bottom Lock-7; Bottom Cover-8.

Figure 5b: Spare parts of the device of Embodiment 5: Cap-1; Cap seal -2; Top Cover Seal-3.

Figure 5c: Spare parts of the device of Embodiment 5: Main Body-4; Lead screw-5;

Plunger with seal Seal-6; Bottom Lock-7, Bottom Cover-8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

References in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

References in the specification to “preferred embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in detail thereby omitting known constructions and functions for clear description of the present invention.

The foregoing description of specific embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

In one aspect, this invention comprises a dispenser for storing liquids/fluids in a tamper proof container that is meant for single fill. In another aspect this invention comprises mechanism for precision dispensing. The said liquids/fluids include, without limitation, premium brands of alcohol, expensive medical liquids, medical liquids requiring accurate dispensation, expensive perfumes, cooking oils, lubrication oils applicable for automotive and industrial use, laboratory equipment, food beverages, non-alcoholic aerated or non-aerated beverages and the like. The said liquids/fluids may be cold or at room temperature. The above challenges have been addressed by developing a dispenser for storing liquids/fluids in a tamper proof container that is meant for single fdl and precision dispensing.

The said liquids/fluids include, without limitation, premium brands of alcohol, expensive medical liquids, medical liquids requiring accurate dispensation, expensive perfumes, cooking oils, lubrication oils applicable for automotive and industrial use, laboratory equipment, food beverages, non-alcoholic aerated or non-aerated beverages and the like. The said liquids/fluids may be cold or at room temperature.

The dispenser is capable of dispensing liquids/fluids in a precision manner with preset volumes so that there is no quantity error in serving of liquids with precision. It is an embodiment of the invention that the liquid/fluid can flow out unidirectionally only in the direction that leads the liquid/fluid out of the dispenser, thereby ensuring that there is zero/no possibility of its refdling of the dispenser for repeat use. This also ensures that there is no scope for tampering, counterfeit replacement or contamination of the liquid.

In a further embodiment of this invention once the dispenser is emptied, it cannot be refilled under any circumstances. This also ensures that the dispenser is not reused or refdled with counterfeit liquids/fluids. In another aspect of this invention, any attempt at reusing, repurposing, refilling or tampering of the dispenser shall physically break and disable the dispensing mechanism of the dispenser thereby rendering it useless.

Thus, this invention discloses a dispenser for storing liquids/fluids in a tamper proof condition that is meant for single fill and precision dispensing with preset volumes in a unidirectional flow so that there is zero/no possibility of its refilling for repeat use; thereby ruling out any scope for tampering, counterfeit replacement or contamination of the liquid.

Mechanism of working is same in all the embodiments. The Lead Screw is fixed to the Bottom Cover.

As the Bottom Cover is rotated in one direction at preset intervals/angles, the Plunger with female threading moves up vertically along the Lead Screw.

As the Plunger is pushed upwards, the liquid is pushed out in measured, predefined controlled volumes through the unidirectional rubber valve (which opens up only when there is pressure from bottom).

The liquid is then poured out.

The Bottom Cover can only rotate in one direction and at set intervals. This means that the Plunger would only move upwards and never downwards.

This way, the dispenser can never be reused after one use or refilled for reuse. This prevents refilling of dispenser with counterfeit liquid/fluid or any contamination of the dispenser as there is no free volume or space in the body of the dispenser at any time.

Embodiment 1 and 3 has a mechanism where the locking snap on part number 10 lifts up and moves down in vertical direction.

It may be noted that this invention can be practiced by evolving a range of Embodiments, of which three embodiments are illustrated which have a range of spares around 10 or 11 in first two embodiments and the third embodiment has only 8 spares. Whereas first two embodiments are of round cylindrical shape, the third embodiment is in square shape in cross section.

Thus, there could be alternative equivalent embodiments within the scope of the above disclosed inventions; and all of them are covered within the scope of this disclosed invention.

The illustrative embodiments have been done by 3D printing. In this way, more embodiments can be prepared. Once an embodiment is finalized as the most suitable one for commercial production, the same can be made by routine methods of making the moulds/molds of the parts of that model, manufacture the parts in polymers/plastic or metal by conventional methods known to a person of an ordinary skill in the art of making equipment and assemble them. Example 1

Several prototypes of liquid dispenser were made to achieve the objective of this investigation, one of which is the design Option 1 shown in Figure la. The prototypes were made by 3D printing process, assembled, and tested for functionality of the product. Necessary design refinements were made to ensure proper fitment of the parts. The images shown here are of the refined design.

Example 2

Liquid filling inside the Bottle:

As shown below in figure 3, two sub-assemblies namely, Top-half (22) and Bottom-half (23) were be made before entering the liquid filling station. The liquid, water, was filled first in the Bottom half through the hole provided on the top and the Top-half was assembled on to the Bottom-half either through snaps / screw or glue arrangement. For embodiment 3 (shown in Figure 5a), if someone tries to dismantle the product with an intent to tampering / refilling the liquid, either part number 3 has to be separated from part number 4 or part number 7 has to be separated from part number 4. If tried to do so, the snaps / screw / glue mechanism provided in part 4 will break and the product will become useless. If someone tries to separate part number 3/7 from part number 4 with a screwdriver, then screwdriver marks will be clearly visible on the product. Another area where someone can try to open the parts is between part number 2 and 3. These two parts are tightly assembled (interference fit; i.e. an arrangement which is so fit that it cannot be separated or dismantled without destruction of that assembly) and if tried to open with a screwdriver, part number 2 will break leaving a visible mark of an attempt to tamper the product. . Due to this screw /snaps / glue arrangement, it is made tamper proof and very difficult to tamper. Example 3

Testing and Validation:

Water was filled in the dispenser of Embodiment 1 and was checked for precise dispensing. Multiple experiments and testing of the product have proven that 180-degree rotation of the Bottom Cover part dispenses 30 ml of the liquid within a tolerance of +/- 1.0 ml. The dispensed liquid volume was manually measured through a measuring cylinder. Following is the table 1 that shows the result of testing.

Table 1

It may be noted that the volume received in above example was always a little lesser than what one would expect by the turning of the bottom cover. However, if a little more delivery of the volume is preferred than to allow little lesser delivery, a person of an ordinary skill in the art can design the turn in such a way that it delivers little extra rather than little lesser. The lesser delivery than expected happens because of a couple of drops remaining inside the neck of the bottle. Hence, it is also possible to design that little extra volume to be equal to the volume of drops remaining inside the neck of the bottle.

Example 4

Liquid dispensing process and sequence:

1. With bottle in upright position i.e., bottom pointing towards the floor and the opening of the bottle pointing towards upward direction, in that position, hold the bottle in left hand and with the right hand rotate the Bottom Cover in anticlockwise direction. Conversely, in liquid dispensing position i.e. for dispensing the liquid in a receptacle, in that position, hold the bottle in left hand and rotate the Bottom Cover in clockwise direction.

2. After a rotation of 180 degrees of the Bottom Cover, a knock / click sound is heard which ensures that the user has turned it for intended volume of liquid discharge designed / desired to be discharged in 180 degrees rotation. The rotation can as well be a fraction of 180 degrees rotation for dispensing desired volume of liquid for every fraction of the rotation which shall be indicated by the knock / click sound of the snap designed for the purpose of dispensation of that volume. In this way it is possible to make further subdivisions, each sub-division associated with a knock / click sound so that within practical limits it is possible to envisage minimum most volume dispensation using the same bottle, and this gives choice to the user to dispense different desired volume for every subsequent use. For example, 20 sub-divisions of 180 degrees in a design that dispenses, for example, 30 ml in 180 degrees of rotation will dispense 1.5 ml of liquid for each knock / click sound. Thus, the user has an option to choose dispensation of liquid from a volume of 1.5 ml at minimum to any volume in multiple of the click sounds and in the multiple of each rotation of 180 degrees. In this way, by following this example a person of ordinary skill in the art will be able to design the invented bottle for his desired commercial requirements in terms of the fluid to be fdled in, volume he is required to dispense in each event of delivery etc. After the knock / click sound is heard, the Bottom Cover cannot be rotated in reverse direction, which ensures that the plunger pushes the liquid up in single / dispensing direction only. Knock / click sound is because of the snap mechanism (shown with arrows in Figure 4.1) designed with Bottom Cover and Bottom Lock parts. Detailed views are shown in Figure 4.1 and Figure 4.2. 5. The mechanism of generating the knock / click sound is based on the feature 25 shown in Figure 4.1 on the inner side of the rotatable Bottom Cover, which pushes the snap 24 shown in Figure 4.1 on the inner side of the Bottom Lock part when it traverses its path along with the turn of the Bottom Cover. While traversing the snap 24 it causes the snap to lift up as at one end the snap is hinged to the Bottom Lock part. As soon as the feature 25 moves past the snap 24 with the release of the upward push provided by the feature 25 the snap 24 gets suddenly released producing the knock / click sound.

Example 5 Functional prototypes were built in three different phases through 3D printing process. Rigorous testing of the functionality was done and necessary improvements were done in the design of the product.

The third set / Third embodiment of the prototype was assembled and measured for functionality and accuracy of the liquid dispensing. The in house testing of the product demonstrates that every 360 degrees of rotation of the Bottom Cover dispenses liquid volume of 30 milliliters within a tolerance of +/- 1.0 milliliter. (Provide here detailed data in a table).

Following Table 2 that shows the result of testing.

Table 2

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others, skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A device for packaging a liquid only once and enabling dispensing the packaged liquid manually with precision in multiple portions of pre-set volumes as and when desired, and the device is rendered incapable of refdling, reused, repurposed after partial or complete emptying of the packaged liquid.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 being a bottle that acts as liquid storage and liquid dispenser.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the flow of the liquid in the dispenser is only unidirectional.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3 wherein; a. a Lead Screw is fixed to the Bottom Cover of the dispenser, b. as the Bottom Cover, which rotates along one direction only, is rotated in the one direction only at preset intervals/angles, a plunger with female threading moves up vertically along the Lead Screw, c. as the Plunger is pushed upwards, the liquid is pushed out commensurate with rotation of the Bottom Cover along preset intemals/angles, in measured, predefined controlled volumes through the unidirectional rubber valve, d. the valve opens up only when there is pressure from bottom, and e. the liquid is then poured out.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein: a. the Bottom Cover can only rotate in one direction and at set intervals, b. the Plunger would only move upwards and never downwards, and c. accordingly the dispenser can never be reused after one use or refilled for reuse.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5 comprising: a snap mechanism (shown with arrows in Figure 4.1 and Figure 4.2) designed with Bottom Cover and Bottom Lock parts, which generates Knock / click sound when the Bottom Cover is rotated in one pre-designed direction to push the plunger upwards to the extent of rotation against the Lead Screw generating dispensing liquid in proportion relevant to the upwards displacement of the plunger.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein a. the knock / click sound is generated based on the feature 25 (Figure 4.1) on the inner side of the rotatable Bottom Cover, which pushes the snap 24 (Figure 4.1) on the inner side of the Bottom Lock part when it traverses its path along with the turn of the Bottom Cover, and b. while traversing the snap 24 it causes the snap to lift up as at one end the snap is hinged to the Bottom Lock part, i. as soon as the feature 25 moves past the snap 24 with the release of the upward push provided by the feature 25 the snap 24 gets suddenly released producing the knock / click sound.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the liquid stored in the device and dispensed comprises any one selected from the group consisting of alcohol, medical liquids, medical liquids requiring accurate dispensation, perfumes, cooking oils, lubrication oils applicable for automotive and industrial use, laboratory equipment, food beverages and non-alcoholic aerated or nonaerated beverages.

9. Process of dispensation of liquids from the device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: a. with the bottle shaped device held in upright position i.e., bottom pointing towards the floor and the opening of the bottle pointing towards upward direction, i. holding the bottle in left hand and with the right hand rotating the Bottom Cover in anticlockwise direction; b. conversely, in liquid dispensing position i.e., for dispensing the liquid in a receptacle, i. holding the bottle in left hand and rotating the Bottom Cover in clockwise direction, and c. after a rotation of the Bottom Cover, noticing a knock / click sound to secure intended volume of liquid discharge as designed to be discharged for the degree of rotation achieved.

10. The process as claimed in claim 7 wherein, a. the rotation for dispensing desired volume of liquid comprising a fraction of one complete rotation of the Bottom Cover b. the fraction of the designed rotation being indicated by the knock/chck sound of the snap. c. after hearing the knock/chck sound is heard, Bottom Cover being unable to be rotated in reverse direction, and d. ensuring the plunger pushing the liquid up in single/dispensing direction only. ethod of filling liquid in device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a. the device comprising two sub-assemblies (figure 3), Top-half (22) and Bottom-half (23) made before entering the liquid filling station, b. the liquid being filled first in the Bottom half through the hole provided on the top, c. assembling the Top-half on to the Bottom-half either through snaps/screw/glue arrangement, and d. the snaps/screw or glue mechanism being prone to damage upon attempt to dismantle the two sub-assemblies after filling in the liquid.