COVER DEVICE FOR A REFRESHMENT CONTAINER

The present invention relates to a cover device for a refreshment container, in particular a drink container for liquid refreshment. Such drink containers comprise glasses, cups, mugs of various materials such as glass, porcelain, plastics and other suitable materials. drinks are usually served in glasses in places of entertainment. Drinks can alternatively be served in cups, mugs or other containers. There is a wide variety of drinks and of glasses in which drinks are served, and even in a place of entertainment use is made of a plurality of types of glass for different drinks. The reason for this is that people are accustomed to being served a determined drink in a specific glass, or that the image of a certain drink requires a certain glass.

A problem of recent years is that drinks are increasingly being laced by persons surreptitiously adding drug substances to drinks.

In order to obviate this problem the present invention provides a cover device for a drink container such as a glass or cup, comprising:

- a cover member for covering at least a part of the upper side of the drink container,

- at least one opening and/or gap arranged in the cover member for passage of drink and/or air,

- a fastening member for removably fastening the cover device onto the drink container, wherein

- the cover device can be placed over an opening of the drink container in a manner such that the cover member can be arranged substantially over the opening and

the fastening member can be arranged against at least one wall of the drink container.

A cover member according to the present invention provides the advantage that drinks are effectively protected from surreptitious addition of drugging agents to drinks. An easy-to-place cover device provides the option of being used without handling thereof necessarily making the user feel ill at ease or the image of the user being affected. A person with malicious intentions will however have to have a firm grip on the glass in order to remove the cover device and then be able to re-place it.

In a first preferred embodiment at least the fastening member of the cover device comprises a resilient element for effecting a fastening against the wall of the container by means of a bias. A firm grip between the glass and the cover device is hereby possible, which increases the reliability in use and also the sense of safety. Use is further made here of a provision in many glasses of a slightly thicker edge relative to the wall thickness, under which edge it is possible to hook parts of the fastening member.

The resilient member preferably provides a bias against the inner side of the glass opposite at least one support member. A simple placing hereby becomes possible because use can be made of the resilience relative to support members. The user can place the device over the glass by pressing the resilient member and positioning the support members against substantially the other side of the glass.

In a further embodiment the cover device comprises support material with a surface having a relatively high friction or roughness against the glass surface. Reliable

placing is hereby improved further and it is more difficult to remove and re-place the cover device.

The cover member preferably comprises a curved surface and/or a venting hole at a highest point. An advantage hereof is that liquid or powders of toxic substances flow or slide off the surface and/or do not enter the glass through an opening.

In a further preferred embodiment the cover member comprises a lowered surface. Such a lowered surface serves to collect a liquid or powder which hereby does not enter the glass. A further advantage is that a user of the cover device can see the liquid or the powder and can hereby see whether an attempt at spiking has taken place. This will increase alertness or help reveal suspect bystanders. A further advantage of a partially lowered surface is that a greater comfort is possible during drinking because the nose for instance does not have to touch the surface. At least a part of the lowered surface is here preferably arranged obliquely in the position of use or at an angle relative to the plane defined by the upper side of the glass.

In a further preferred embodiment at least the fastening member comprises an elastic element for effecting a fastening along the wall of the container. Using such an elastic element even a non-elastic foil can be arranged firmly on the container. By applying a foil in the fastening member it is possible to guarantee in effective manner that a cover member can be placed over drink containers having different upper surface areas or diameters.

The foil of the fastening member preferably has an adhesive action relative to a suitable surface of the container. An example hereof can be a foil with properties which are known from household foil, which has an adhesive

action relative to hard materials such as glass and porcelain.

In a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention the foil of the fastening member is elastic for the purpose of placing thereof under bias round the wall of the drink container. It is possible here to envisage a sleeve shape for the cover device, wherein in the non-tensioned state the sleeve shape has a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of a drinking glass to be covered. The sleeve is firmly attached in effective manner by tensioning thereof around the glass.

The fastening member preferably comprises an elastic member for placing thereof under bias round the wall of the drink container. Such an elastic member can be a band which is arranged on or in the material of the fastening member, preferably close to the edge thereof and/or close to a provided location of the edge of the glass in the position of use of the cover device.

In a further preferred embodiment the cover device comprises at least one strengthening member for strengthening the openings. Depending on the material used for the cover member, such a strengthening member can be applied in order to make the durability suitable for the intended use. If use is for instance made of a straw during consumption of the drink, the strengthening can absorb insertion and handling forces exerted on the straw. An opening must also be sufficiently strong to absorb forces caused by someone tampering with the opening.

In an embodiment the strengthening member can enclose a number of openings . The manufacture of a cover device with multiple openings is hereby simplified.

In a further embodiment the cover device comprises a marking for an advertising presentation by means of for

instance a printing. Such advertising presentations can have a positive side-effect for the cover device, which increases the user acceptance, or the cover device itself provides a reason for selecting the drink which is served with the cover device. The present invention provides the communications expert with a wholly new communications medium with an abundance of communication possibilities.

A further embodiment preferably provides a detachable closing seal for sealing the at least one opening. The drink container is hereby supplied in sealed manner to the consumer of the drink. Spilling of the drink is moreover prevented until the closing stamp is removed. After removal of the seal, spilling is otherwise greatly limited by the presence of the cover device. A practical manner of placing the closing seal is by means of an adhesive. Many adhesives known to the skilled person are available for such a purpose, these adhesives being harmless in the vicinity of a drink.

The cover member preferably comprises a foil. Using such a foil it is also possible to manufacture the cover member in stretchable manner so that it can be used over glasses of different diameters.

In a further embodiment the cover member further comprises a rigid member. A desired image and strength can be obtained by applying such a member. It is likewise possible to arrange the openings in the rigid member, whereby they acquire a predetermined strength. Because flexible foils are applied in addition to the rigid member in this embodiment, the rigid member can be placed on glasses of differing diameter such that the openings can be positioned at a desired position relative to the rim of the glass. Drinking openings wherein no use is made of a straw

can here be placed in suitable manner close to the rim of the glass.

Suitable materials for the cover member and/or the fastening member comprise stretchable and/or non- stretchable foils such as silicone rubbers, polyethylene and/or polyurethane.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for covering a drink container, comprising steps for:

- providing a drink container, and

- providing a cover device according to the present invention.

Such a method provides advantages as described in the foregoing with reference to the device.

Further advantages, features and details of the present invention are described hereinbelow on the basis of several embodiments and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment according to the present invention;

- Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the embodiment of Fig. 1;

- Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the embodiment of Fig. 1 in non-tensioned state;

- Fig. 4 is a cross-section of a further embodiment according to the present invention in non-tensioned state;

- Fig. 5 is a cross-section of a further embodiment according to the present invention in non-tensioned state;

- Fig. 6 is a top view of a further embodiment;

- Fig. 7 is a top view of a further embodiment;

- Fig. 8 is a top view of the embodiment of Fig. 1;

- Fig. 9 is a top view of a further embodiment;

- Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 5;

- Fig. 11-13 are perspective views of further embodiments according to the present invention;

- Fig. 14 and 15 are perspective views of a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

- Fig. 16 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 14;

- Fig. 17 is a top view of the embodiment of Fig. 14;

- Fig. 18 is a bottom view of the embodiment of Fig. 14.

A first preferred embodiment (Fig. 1) relates to a cover 1 for a drinking glass. The cover comprises a covering surface 10 for covering the top opening of the glass, comprising a foil material. In order to attach the covering surface, cover 1 comprises a part 11 which extends downward along the glass from the rim and which likewise comprises a foil. Both these foil parts 10 and 11 can be manufactured integrally, but also from mutually attached parts. The downward extending part 11 can be unrol- lable and can be unrolled downward from the rim of the glass. It can also be an amply dimensioned quantity of foil (as in Fig. 4) which is placed over the glass and which is tightened by means of an elastic band 26.

Arranged in cover part 10 are five drinking holes 2,3,4,5,6 through which drink can flow out of the glass during drinking thereof. On the side opposite drinking holes 2-6 is arranged a venting hole for venting the glass

during drinking of the drink. Such a venting hole is not required. The expandability of the air in the glass and the flexibility of covering surface 10 can also provide sufficient play for drinking. Cover part 10 is further provided with an advertising imprint 7 which can for instance relate to the location where the drink is being served or to the drink served in the glass. The print can for instance also comprise a further advertising message or relate to an activity in which the consumer of the drink is participating.

Figures 3-5 show the cover in non-tensioned position. The foils which are applied for the device can have different properties within the scope of the invention. The foil can be an elastic rubber which is brought into substantially a sleeve shape with a flat upper side for the print and the holes, and which can be unrolled tightly around the glass (Fig. 3) . In this case the unrolling foil is present in the still rolled-up part of the foil 21 before use.

In the embodiment of Fig. 4 the foil per se is not stretchable, but can be placed over a glass analogously to a shower cap, wherein elastic band 26 at the end of side foil 25 provides for a strong fastening of the foil relative to the glass. In this embodiment the upper side 24 of the cover is preferably also substantially flat for the printing and/or the smoothest possible appearance in the position of use on a glass.

The embodiment of Fig. 5 is similar to that of Fig. 3, although with the use of a rigid plate 8 arranged on the upper side by means of for instance glueing. Tension can occur between the stretchable foil and rigid plate 8. In order to limit this tension in both the position of use and the rest position of the cover, the foil

can be brought to a desired bias during arranging of the rigid plate on the foil, this bias being somewhere between the tension on the foil at rest and the tension on the foil when a relatively large glass is used. This can be implemented in appropriate manner by the skilled person with knowledge of the invention.

Fig. 6 shows a top view of an embodiment wherein holes 2-6 are strengthened by means of strengthening rings 12-16. It hereby becomes possible to strengthen the holes and to exert a relatively great tension on the holes, either through using the cover over a relatively large glass or due to forces exerted on the holes by the consumer.

Fig. 7 shows a top view of an embodiment wherein holes 2-6 are strengthened by means of a strengthening plate 18. This embodiment also shows a venting hole 19 with a strengthening ring 20. The application of strengthening plate 18 defines inter alia the mutual position of the holes, also when a stretchable foil is used. The middle hole 4 has a size which is specifically suitable for use with a straw. In this case the other holes can remain closed during use, which also precludes the possibility of spilling and admixing of drugging agents.

Manufacture of the holes in the foil can be combined with steps for arranging the strengthening 18. This is likewise possible in the case of the strengthening parts 12-16 of the embodiment of Fig. 3. The strengthening parts can be arranged by means of a glueing operation and a pressing operation. The corresponding hole can herein then also be arranged in the foil. A closing seal can then be affixed. It is also possible for the holes to be arranged in the foil in a previous step and for the strengthening parts to be applied together with the seals.

This particular embodiment is suitable for application of a closing seal which is opened by the consumer. Separate seals can be provided for the different holes or seals can be provided for groups of holes. A hole for the straw can hereby be opened separately. In this case it is for instance possible for hole 19 to be used for the straw. It is likewise possible for hole 2 or 6 to be used for a straw, in which case the four remaining holes can remain sealed when only the hole for the straw is opened. It is also practical if, as shown, the middle hole 4 is larger than holes 3,5, and these are in turn larger than holes 2,6. In this case the greatest drink flow will be situated close to the centre of the array of holes, this enhancing ease of drinking.

Fig. 8 shows a top view of an embodiment with a cover plate 8 located in the centre of a relatively small glass. The cover plate is provided with drinking holes 2-6 as well as a venting hole 22. Venting hole 22 can optionally also serve for the straw. In Fig. 9 a central hole 23 is arranged in foil 10 for use with a straw. In this case the imprint can be designed such that use is made of the presence of the hole and the straw, for instance by employing a determined symmetry.

Fig. 10 and 12 show how a plate 8 can be just as large as the opening of the glass. In Fig. 10 plate 8 is herein attached centrally to the foil and in Fig. 12 the plate is arranged eccentrically on the foil. Fig. 11 shows that, when a rigid plate is used on a relatively large glass, the drinking openings can still be arranged close to the rim of the glass for convenient drinking. The plate is herein placed asymmetrically above the glass and either the foil on the side of holes 2-6 is rolled down further over the glass or the plate is arranged eccentrically on

the foil so that the foil is unrolled substantially the same distance all round the glass, this being shown in Fig. 13. The use of the flexible foil allows uneven unrolling round the glass, whereby application of a rigid plate according to the present invention becomes possible.

A further preferred embodiment (Fig. 14-18) relates to a cover 31 for glasses with a variety of diameters A, B. An advantage hereof is that a number of different glasses can be covered using one size of cover 31 such that a user can suffice with one or a small number of covers, whereby drinks can be consumed from various glasses. Using such a cover in an establishment where drinks are being served, a limited number of covers can thus be applied with a plurality of glasses.

The cover comprises an upper wall 32 with a venting hole 42 therein. This upper wall comprises a curved part 34 with venting hole 42 therein and a lowered part, which is flat for applying in legible manner an advertisement or a figure with a high attention value for the user or others. Advertising for an establishment where the drinks are used can be envisaged here. The lowered part of the cover has the advantage that it can function as an indicator for undesirable substances such as powders or liquids. Possibly chemical indicators, which for instance display discolouration in contact with predetermined substances, can be arranged on the surface for this purpose.

The curved part of upper wall 32 is suitable for discharging such liquids or powders by the force of gravity. The upper wall is bordered by means of an edge 33 which extends slightly downward and which drops over the rim of the glass. The effect, among others, of preventing undesirable substances from entering the glass is thus improved.

Situated on the drinking side of the cover is a wall part 35 which is arranged slightly inward in the cover and which, together with the glass or the wall of the glass, defines a narrow drinking opening, as can be seen between lines A, B and 35. This wall part can optionally extend slightly above surface 32 on the upper side for an improved protection of the drinking opening. This also prevents in improved manner drink coming to lie on the upper surface of the cover, which could be falsely interpreted as a indication of an attempt at spiking.

Situated on either side of this drinking opening are two protrusions 41, which are continuations of walls 40 which transpose into a resilient member 37 extending in curved form between these walls. This curved resilient member can be compressed in the direction of wall 35. Depending on the diameter A, B of the glass, the resilient member will be pressed in more or less deeply when placed in a glass as shown in side view in Fig. 16.

Although the described arrangement of the components and the construction of this cover 31 enable simple and functional use, the action is improved still further by applying rough or sticky materials 36,39 on respectively protrusions 41 and resilient member 38. The >seat- ing= of the cover is improved by applying such materials, and this improves the reliability in use. Placing in the preferred manner is further not made more difficult, while this operation is made difficult for someone wishing to quickly lift the cover a little in unobtrusive manner.

The ideal placing method is to hook the resilient member with the rough material strip under the edge of the glass, to then press in the resilient member, subsequently hook protrusions 41 under the rim of the glass and then

release the cover so that the protrusions are clamped under this rim. Material 36,39 makes sliding thereof along the glass difficult, and therefore makes unobtrusive performing of such actions difficult.

The present invention is described in the foregoing on the basis of several preferred embodiments. Various aspects of different embodiments are deemed to have been described in combination therewith, wherein all combinations which can be made by a skilled person on the basis of this document must be understood. These preferred embodiments do not limit the scope of protection of this text. The rights sought are defined in the appended claims .