The present invention relates to drinks, and, in particular, to apparatus for preventing addition of foreign substances to a drink. In an embodiment, the invention relates more particularly to such apparatus for locating on bottles.

Beverages and drinks are commonly bought and consumed in public environments, and may come in various bottles, containers or cans, or may be served directly into cups and mugs etc. These environments include bars, public houses, and nightclubs, in which people meet together and socialise while consuming drinks both alcoholic and non¬ alcoholic. Typically, people will attend in groups and often a large number of people are closely gathered in a relatively small area of the locale. People will typically dance, circulate and socialise with other people and may leave their drinks standing unattended for periods of time before returning to continue their drink.

In these environments, there has quite recently developed a risk of the drink being tampered with while it is left unattended or while a person is unaware.

In particular, there has developed a practice of "spiking" the drink by placing a foreign substance into a person's drink without consent or knowledge, for example, with the aim of sedating or incapacitating that person.

In some cases, the substance might be an illegal/legal drug or alcohol, which may cause direct harm to the person by subsequently consuming the drink after introduction of such a substance.

Illicit drugs may be slipped into beverages of unsuspecting victims and are typically colourless, tasteless and odourless, such that the victim has no way of knowing that the drink they may consume could cause severe impairment.

Such substances may for example be introduced to bottles, cans or glasses via pipettes, syringes, pills and/or powders.

In many cases, there are malicious motives for drink spiking practices. In particular, statistics indicate that drink spiking is increasingly being carried out with the aim of sedating the person or affecting the mind of the person to take advantage, for example, by criminal sexual assault or rape. Such practices have been labelled as "date rape" or "drug rape"

In date/drug rape cases, the drugs typically used to spike drinks are sometimes referred to as 'date/drug rape' drugs, 'club drugs' or 'predatory drugs'.

These drugs may be selected deliberately for incapacitating individuals for the purposes of committing a crime, often sexual assault. They include rohypnol, gamma hydroxy butyric acid ("ecstacy") , ketamine hydrochloride, and midazolam. The effects of these drugs include relaxation, anti-convulsion, euphoria, hallucination, and memory loss and are typically fast- acting.

Public awareness campaigns have been initiated to inform people of the dangers associated with drinking in certain environments. This has led to development of chemical detection methods and physical devices for use in the prevention of drink spiking.

The chemical methods can be employed to determine if a beverage has had an illicit substance added. Typically, a few drops of the beverage are transferred by straw or swizzle stick to test points located for example on drink coasters or litmus papers, which may indicate, by a change of colour, whether the drink contains particular drugs.

A problem with these methods is the chemical detectors are limited to the detection of specific drugs, such that any new drug variants may go untraced or be undetectable. In addition, the chemical detectors can be ineffective where drugs are diluted and perhaps are only present in

the drink in trace amounts. Thus, they may not provide a user with a great degree of confidence.

A further disadvantage associated with chemical methods is that a separate test must be carried out each time a drink has been left unguarded to ensure that drugs or other foreign substances have not been added to the drink in the meantime.

Various physical devices have been also developed. These include lockable and tamper-proof bottle top units, which may be provided with or without 'tamper' warning lights. These devices have drawbacks because they are large, unwieldy and generally obtrusive, and are associated with high manufacturing costs.

In addition, there exist simple bottle lids that act as mere tamper deterrents and do not actually prevent tampering.

Furthermore, there exist one-way flow devices for location internal to bottle necks with shower head-type openings. A problem with this device is that liquid may nevertheless be pressure injected by pipette or syringe flush on surface holes or injected directly through holes via needle and syringe.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or at least mitigate deficiencies and drawbacks associated with prior art devices for preventing the introduction of foreign substances to a drink.

It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide apparatus for preventing the addition of foreign substances to a drink that permits free drinking with uninterrupted flow of liquid from a bottle.

It is a further object of an embodiment of the invention to provide apparatus for preventing the addition of foreign substances to a drink by provision of a convoluted flow path.

Other aims and objects will become apparent from the following description.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for preventing the addition of a foreign substance to a drink, the apparatus comprising a receiving end arranged to receive fluid from a drink container, a dispensing end including at least one fluid outlet, wherein the apparatus provides a convoluted flow path from the receiving end to the fluid outlet.

In this way, a drink may be dispensed from a container, such that it enters into the apparatus at the receiving end, passes through the apparatus following a convoluted or tortuous path and exits the apparatus through the outlet for the drink to be consumed by a user.

Preferably, the dispensing end includes a cavity in fluid communication with the fluid outlet.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises a cap defining the cavity.

More preferably, the cap is attached to the dispensing end of the apparatus.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises a tubular main body.

Preferably, the cap is attached to the tubular main body.

Preferably, the apparatus is adapted to be received by a bottle.

Preferably, the apparatus is received by a bottle providing an operational configuration.

Preferably, the dispensing end of the tubular body of the apparatus protrudes from the end of the bottle in the operational configuration.

Preferably, the apparatus has bottle attachment means for removably attaching to the neck of a bottle.

Preferably, the bottle attachment means includes a flange member formed around the central portion of the apparatus that rests against the brim at the top of the bottle neck.

Optionally, the bottle attachment means is a resilient material fixed to the outer surface of the apparatus for engaging with the interior surfaces of the bottle neck.

Optionally, the bottle attachment means comprises a seal placed on the outer surface of the bottle neck for engaging with the interior surfaces of the apparatus.

Optionally, the apparatus is formed as an integral part of the bottle neck rendering the apparatus permanently attached to the bottle.

During normal drink consumption, a beverage contained in the bottle flows from the bottle, through the apparatus, out of the dispensing end, into the cavity and out through the flow holes to a user.-

Preferably, the cap comprises a cap edge that is displaced relative to the tubular main body dispensing end edge providing a channel portion of the flow cavity between the outer surface of the tubular main body and the inner surface of the cap.

Preferably, the fluid flow path comprises different portions through which fluid flows in different directions.

More preferably, the direction of fluid flow in the channel portion has a component opposite to the fluid flow direction in the tubular main body.

Preferably, the fluid flow holes are displaced relative to the dispensing end of the tubular main body of the apparatus providing a gravitational potential when the device is positioned with its longitudinal axis in a substantially vertical orientation and hindering fluid flow.

Preferably, the fluid flow channel and flow holes provide directing means for directing fluid away from the bottle preventing the pooling of fluid near the bottle neck.

Preferably, the directing means is a sloped surface.

Preferably, the dispensing end of the tubular main body is fitted with flow valve.

Preferably, the flow valve is a unidirectional flow valve allowing fluid to flow out of the apparatus main tubular body toward the dispensing end of the device and preventing fluid from entering the apparatus at the dispensing end of the tubular body.

Optionally, the unidirectional flow valve is a teet-hole membrane.

Preferably, the unidirectional valve is a biased plugging valve comprising a plug located in the dispensing end of the tube by a biasing force exerted on the plug by a biasing means.

Preferably, the biased plugging valve biasing means is a spring connected to the cap locates the plug in the dispensing end of the tube.

Optionally, the unidirectional flow valve is a ball valve, wherein the weight of the ball locates the ball in the dispensing end of the tube.

Preferably, the apparatus provides cap removal mechanism providing secondary access means to the tubular main body of the apparatus.

Preferably, the cap removal mechanism is a snap-off mechanism.

Preferably, the secondary access means provides an aperture to the tubular main body of the apparatus sufficiently large to locate a straw through the apparatus to the bottle.

Preferably, the apparatus provides retaining means for retaining the apparatus in an extended position.

Preferably, the retaining means comprises an outer tubular body adapted to receive the tubular main body of the apparatus.

Preferably, the outer tubular body comprises inwardly protruding members abutting the tubular main body for maintaining the tubular main body in the extended position.

Preferably, the outer tubular body is adapted to be received by a bottle.

Preferably, the retaining means provides means for displacing the tubular main body relative to the outer tubular body from a first extended position to a second retracted position.

Preferably, the displacing means is engaged by a force applied to the top of the apparatus depressing the tubular main body of the device into the bottle into the second retracted position.

Preferably, the retaining means inhibits relative displacement between the tubular main body and the outer tubular body in the first extended position.

Optionally, a combined cap removal and retraction means comprising the retaining means and the cap removal mechanism provides cap removal upon depression of the tubular main body of the device into the bottle.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for preventing the addition of a foreign substance to a drink, the apparatus comprising a tubular main body having a dispensing end, a cap attached to the dispensing end by cap attachment means, wherein the cap attachment means provides fluid flow holes communicating with the dispensing end of the tubular main body through a fluid flow cavity defining a fluid flow path.

In this way, the cap is attached via the attachment means to provide a cavity between the dispensing end of the tubular main member and the cap, and such that the apparatus permits fluid flow through the apparatus and out of the dispensing end of the tubular member, into the cavity following a fluid flow path, and then out of the fluid flow holes.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for preventing the addition of a foreign substance to a drink, the apparatus comprising a receiving end arranged to receive fluid from a drink container, a dispensing end, and a fluid cavity having at least one fluid outlet, wherein the dispensing end is

arranged to dispense fluid into the fluid cavity, and the fluid cavity is arranged to reverse the direction of flow of fluid flowing from the dispensing end to the fluid outlet.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a bottle assembly, comprising the apparatus of the first or second aspects of the invention and a bottle, wherein the apparatus is received by the bottle.

There will now be described, by way of example only, embodiments of the present invention with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional representation of an apparatus for preventing addition of a foreign substance to a drink according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is an overhead view of the main body of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 3A is an overhead view of the cap of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 3B is a cross-section A-A of the cap of Figure 3A;

Figure 4A is an overhead view of the support structure of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 4B is a cross-section B-B of the support structure of Figure 4A;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional representation of the apparatus of Figure 1 located in a bottle in an operational configuration and according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1; ^•

Figure 7 is cross-sectional view of an apparatus for preventing the addition of a foreign substance to a drink according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8A is cross-sectional view of an apparatus for preventing the addition of a foreign substance to a drink according to a further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8B is cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 8A located in a bottle in a closed orientation, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8C is cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 8A located in a bottle in an open orientation, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is cross-sectional view of an apparatus for preventing the addition of a foreign substance to a drink according to a further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1OA is cross-sectional view of an apparatus for preventing the addition of a foreign substance to a drink and including an upper seal assembly according to a further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1OB is cross-sectional view of an apparatus for preventing the addition of a foreign substance to a drink and including an upper seal assembly according to a alternative embodiment of the invention;

Figure HA is cross-sectional view of an apparatus for preventing the addition of a foreign substance to a drink and including a lower seal assembly according to a further embodiment of the invention;

Figure HB is cross-sectional view of an apparatus for preventing the addition of a foreign substance to a drink and including a lower seal assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

Figure 12A is cross-sectional view of an apparatus for preventing the addition of a foreign substance to a drink and including a spring biased seal assembly according to a further embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 12B is cross-sectional view of an apparatus for preventing the addition of a foreign substance to a drink and including a spring biased seal assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

With reference firstly to Figure 1, there is generally indicated by reference numeral 10 an apparatus for

preventing addition of a foreign substance to a drink comprising a main body 14 and a cap 12 attached to the main body 14 via support structure 20. The apparatus 10 is adapted to be received by and locate in a bottle at the top of the bottle neck.

The main body 14 is a tubular body with a throughbore defining main channel 16.

The support structure 20 maintains the cap 12 and the main body 14 spatially separated from one another. In this configuration, the cap 12 is attached to the main body 14 such that a flow region 17 is defined between in inner surface 21 of the cap and the main body 14. In addition, an annular channel 23 is defined between the inner surface 21 of the cap and an outer surface 25 of the body main 14 at a dispensing end 27 of the apparatus 10.

The apparatus is also provided with a vent structure 28 which allows air from the atmosphere to replace liquid while dispensing through the apparatus 10.

The apparatus is generally adapted for use with bottles that may contain various alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages .

With further reference to Figure 2, the main body 14 is depicted from above. The vent structure 28 comprises a series of support members 32 and vents 35, spaced circumferentially around the main body 14.

The main .body 14 further comprises a flange 29 for locating against a rim of a bottle. The flange 29 is provided with an angled or sloping top surface 33 at a steep angle to the outer surface 25 of the body 14. The bottom surface 34 of the flange 29 is flat for abutting the bottle rim. The main body 14 further comprises protruding members 36 for gripping against an inner surface of a bottle neck.

The apparatus 10 is formed from a moulded plastic and such that the main body 14 together with protruding members 36 can be deformed at least sufficiently for the apparatus 10 to be located in the bottle using manual force.

With further reference to Figures 3A and 3B and Figures 4A and 4B, the cap 12 and support structure 20 are depicted, respectively. The support structure 20 comprises three supports 22 which keep the cap 12 from the body 14 in a spatially separated configuration. This configuration provides for a convoluted or tortuous flow path through the apparatus 10. The supports 20 attach to both the cap and the main body 14 of the apparatus.

The support structure 20 defines flow gaps 38 that are fluidly connected to the annular channel 23 allowing for liquid to pass through.

The apparatus is thereby formed to allow liquid to flow through the main channel 16, into the flow region 17, through the annular channel 23, and through the flow gaps 38 of the support structure, for dispensing and consumption of a liquid passed through the apparatus.

The apparatus provides a convoluted or complex path for flow and provides a hindrance against the introduction of foreign substances into the apparatus via the flow gaps 38.

The support structure 20 is formed such that the cap 12 may be twisted relative to the main body 14 using manual force causing the supports 22 to break and allowing the cap 12 to be detached from the main body 14. Other ways of manually removing the cap might also be used. This allows a user to introduce a straw to the bottle through the apparatus central channel or to empty the contents of the bottle efficiently and directly into a glass. This may be desirable in circumstances where the prevention of tampering is not paramount.

With further reference to Figure 5, the apparatus 10 is located within a bottle 42, generally depicted at 40, and in an operational configuration. The bottle may for example be a beer-type bottle. The main body 14 is located in the bottle neck 43 and the flange 29 locates against the bottle rim 45 via bottom surface 34 of the flange 29. The apparatus 10 is located firmly within the bottle neck 43 with protruding members 36 gripping against an inner surface 47 of the bottle neck. The apparatus is located securely such that once inserted it cannot be removed without destroying the apparatus.

In this operational configuration, a liquid beverage may be dispensed through the apparatus 10 by tipping the bottle upside down (or at least such that the top of the bottle, including the apparatus 10, is of a lower elevation than the base portion of the bottle, or such

that liquid flows from the bottle toward the top of the bottle) .

The direction of liquid flow while being dispensed from the bottle and through the apparatus 10 is indicated by arrows 49. Specifically, the liquid flows through the main channel 16 into the flow region 17. The cap 12 deflects the flow of fluid and liquid such that it flows from region 17 into the annular channel 23 and then out via flow gaps 38 for consumption and following the contours of top surface 33 of the flange 29. Liquid can only enter or exit the bottle via the channel 23.

It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the upper surface 33 may be shaped differently to deflect the fluid flowing out of the apparatus in a manner as required.

The flow path described above is a convoluted or tortuous path determined by the spatial relationship of the cap 12 and main body 14 provided by the support structure 20. The convoluted path (as indicated by arrows 49) includes portions with flow directions that are opposing, reversed or in different directions relative to one another, and defined according to the geometry provided by the cap 12, a dispensing end 51 of the main body 14, and an overlapping portion 50 between the cap 12 and the dispensing end 50 of the main body.

During consumption, air from the atmosphere is permitted into the bottle via the vent structure 28 and according to arrows 37 to replace liquid that is dispensed. The flow of air indicated by arrows 37 is allowed through an

imperfect seal between the bottle and the underside of the flange and into the vent structure and the bottle. The vent structure 28 permits flow of air or gas, but not allow liquid to escape or be introduced.

In one embodiment, the structure the flange 29 may be curved downwards to cover the vent structure to prevent external access to- the region of the imperfect seal and the vent structure. This helps to prevent the potential for tampering.

In an upright or "non-dispensing" configuration, for example, while the bottle and apparatus is standing on its base on a table, the overlap of the cap relative to the dispensing portion 50 of the main body 14 allows the outer surface 25 of the body to act as a hurdle or barrier against the introduction of foreign substances into the bottle via the flow gaps 38. This hurdle provides gravitational potential, which fluid introduced at the flow gaps must have to overcome to be introduced to the central channel and in turn a drink contained in the bottle. This helps to prevent tampering by the addition of foreign substances.

A radial extent 44 of the flange 29 together with the steep angle between the top surface 33 and the wall 25 of the main body makes external access to the flow gaps 38 and the main channel 16 particularly difficult using a syringe, tube or other device. In order to access the beverage through the channel 16, it would be necessary to lever a device in at a steep angle and move it up and around the barrier provided by dispensing end 50. This is particularly difficult using the present apparatus.

In general, it is desirable to provide an apparatus 10 with a narrow width of the annular channel 23 together with a large overlap 51 to provide a significant barrier via dispensing portion 50 against the introduction of foreign substances. Further, a large horizontal radial extent 44 of the flange 29 is desirable, with the top surface providing a steep angle to the outer surface 25 of the main body at the dispensing end 50.

Such geometry needs to be balanced against the need for a "free" flow of liquid out via the apparatus when consuming a beverage from the bottle.

The present geometry providing the deviated or convoluted liquid flow path provides a significant hurdle against addition of foreign substances via the channel 23 while allowing fluid to be freely dispensed from the bottle with the apparatus attached.

In Figure 6, there is depicted the apparatus 10 of the above described embodiment indicating particularly the external appearance and the relationship between the main body 14 with the flange 29 and protruding members 36, together with the cap 12.

In an alternative embodiment, Figure 7 depicts another apparatus for preventing the addition of a foreign substance to a drink, and for locating in a bottle 42 as described in the abovementioned embodiment.

The apparatus 60 is provided with a main body 63 attached to a cap 66. The cap is provided with flow holes 61

through which liquid may pass. As in the abovementioned embodiment, the main body 63 is a cylindrical body provided with a bore and a flange 69 that protrudes from the main body 63 to ensure that the apparatus rest against the top of a bottle rim in a suitable position.

Within the main body 63 there is provided a central tubular body 64. The central tubular body 64 is attached the main body 63 with the internal diameter of the main body 63 matching the external diameter of the tubular member 64 in a close-fitting relationship. The tubular body 64 extends into a space defined between the cap 66 and a horizontal plane through the flange 69 at a dispensing end 72 of the apparatus 60.

In this region, the walls 67 of the central tubular member 64 are narrower in relation to the walls 68 of the tubular member below the plane of flange 69. The narrow walls 68 provide an annular channel 78 defined between an outer surface 74 of the walls 67 and an inner surface 76, of the cap 66. Additionally, a flow region 80 is defined between the cap 66 and a horizontal plane transecting the apparatus 10 at the top surface of the walls 67 of the central tubular member 64.

Flow region 80 and annular channel 78 together with a central channel 82, defined by central tubular member 64, provides for a liquid beverage to be dispensed through the apparatus according to arrows 84 indicating liquid flow. In this manner, the fluid may flow from the bottle 42 through the central channel 82 into the flow region 80 through the annular channel 78 and out through flow holes 61 for consumption.

At the top of walls 67 of the central tubular member 64, a membrane 86 is provided. The membrane 86 acts as an atmospheric seal, which allows liquid to pass through when a slight suction force is applied to the bottle, for example while consuming the beverage, but remains closed when the drink is not being consumed. When the seal is closed, and liquid not being consumed, the seal prevents liquid from getting out of the bottle and into the flow channels of the apparatus. This seal effectively acts as a flow valve.

Alternatively, this membrane could be a teet-hole membrane that prevents, for example, solid substances with particle sizes greater than the diameter of the teet-holes from passing through and into the bottle. This helps to prevent the introduction of foreign substances into the bottle.

Otherwise, the apparatus 60 operates in a manner similar to that described with reference to abovementioned embodiments.

In a further embodiment, Figures 8A to 8C depict, generally at reference numeral 100, another example of an apparatus for preventing the addition of foreign substances to a bottled beverage. This apparatus comprises a main body 102 and a central tubular body 104, which in this case is moveably located within the main body 102. An outer surface 106 of the central tubular . body 104 matches an inner cylindrical surface 108 of the main body 102 to provide a close fitting relationship.

At a dispensing end 110 of the apparatus 100 the tubular inner body 104 is provided with a reduced diameter portion 112 at the dispensing end 110 of the apparatus. The dispensing portion 113 of the inner tubular member is attached to a cap 116 via a support structure 118 in the manner described in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 6.

The cylindrical main body 102 comprises an attaching portion 120 provided with protruding members 124 for gripping and attaching securely against an internal surface of a bottle. The main body 102 also comprises a tab portion 122 and a guide portion 124. The tab member 122 is attached to the attaching portion 120 above, and the guide portion 124 below. The guide portion 124 comprises a retaining member 128 for retaining and biasing the central tubular member 104 against the inside of the attaching portion 120 and the tab portion 122 of the main body 102. The guide portion 124 is formed to provide an annular space 130 between the retaining member 128 and the main body 102 and in which the central tubular body 104 can move to and fro.

In Figure 8A, the apparatus 100 is shown in an open position. In this position, a retaining tab member 122 is adapted to act against the central tubular body 104 and keep the apparatus in the open position. The tab member includes tabs 132 which act against the bottom surface 134 of the tubular member 106 to hold it in position. This prevents the slidable central tubular body 104 from moving relative to the main body 102.

In Figure 8B, the device of Figure 8A is shown as located in a bottle neck 42 in a sealed and retracted position.

The bottle 42 may be manufactured with the device 42 incorporated and sealed as depicted. In this case, the central tubular member is located in the space 130. The cap 116 is formed to fit within the diameter defined by attaching portion 120 such that there is a seal 144 between the region 146 of the bottle and the environment external to the bottle. In order to dispense liquid from the bottle, a user may manually apply force to the apparatus to overcome a slight retaining force provided by tabs 132, such that the central body 104 moves upward relative to the main body 102 an into an open position.

Alternatively, the central body may displace into the open position from the retracted position due to force provided by carbondioxide gas present in the bottle or for example by a biasing spring. In such a case, the device is pre-prepared and sealed in the retracted orientation, the seal is then removed and the device is allowed to open.

Figure 8C depicts the apparatus located in the bottle 42 in the open position. The apparatus 100 defines a fluid central channel 140 through which liquid from the bottle may be dispensed for consumption through the apparatus and according to the arrows 142 in the manner described in the above embodiments.

Further reference to Figure 8C the apparatus of Figure 8A and 8B is depicted in a closed or sealed orientation. In this orientation, the inner cylindrical body 106 is located within the annular space 130 defined by the member 126.

A person may depress the movable central body 104 by supplying sufficient force to the top of the apparatus to break the tabs and move the device from the open position to a second closed or sealed position.

In another embodiment, the apparatus may be adapted, such that the cap detaches upon depression from the open to the "closed" position. In the "closed" position with the cap removed a person may locate a straw through the device into the bottle or may use the enlarged aperture to pour the contents out of the bottle to another receptacle.

In Figure 9, another embodiment of a retractable apparatus is for preventing addition of substances to a beverage is depicted generally at 200. The principles of operation of this device are similar to those described with reference to Figures 8A to 8C. The apparatus 200 is provided with a main cylindrical body 204 that corresponds to the body 102 of Figure 8A, but without protruding attaching members and generally having different dimensions.

In this example, a cap 202 is attached via portion 206 to the central tubular body 208. Vertical flow holes 210 are provided for the flow of liquid through a central channel 212 to a region 214 and out through the holes 210. A membrane 215 is provided across the main channel 212. This may be an atmospheric seal or a teet-hole membrane. In the case of the atmospheric seal and when the seal is closed when the beverage is not being consumed from the bottle, liquid is prevented from

exiting the bottle via the central channel and from getting between the inner body and the outer main body.

In this embodiment, inner cylindrical body 208 together with the attached cap 202 is moveable relative to the main body 204 as previously described. The cap 202 is manually removable, for example, by twisting using a manual force, and the central cylindrical body 208 may be extracted from the region 216 into the open position depicted at 200.

A further example of a retractable apparatus is depicted in Figure 1OA, which includes similar components to the apparatus described with reference to Figure 8A to 8C. In this case however the apparatus is provided with a seal assembly or valve arrangement comprising a ball¬ bearing 303 that locates against retaining member 304 of a guide member 302 while the apparatus is in an upright orientation. The ball bearing 303 is internal to the apparatus 300 and provides a seal in the central channel 306 preventing fluid connection between the bottle and the environment external to the bottle. This seal assembly prevents foreign matter and liquid from being introduced to bottle while the apparatus is located in a bottle in its vertical orientation.

In use for dispensing liquid through the apparatus 300, the ball bearing 303 will be displaced according to the arrow 308 due to gravity and force of the liquid, and will allow passage of liquid from the bottle through the apparatus and out via gaps in the support structure 310 following a convoluted flow path similar to that described above.

With further reference to Figure 1OB, a similar device is depicted at 320, which functions in the same way as the device of Figure 1OA, although it differs by its dimensions and by a cap 322 provided with vertical flow holes 326 and attached to a retractable central tubular member 324. Further the main body 325 does not include protruding members 311 of the apparatus 300 of Figure 1OA.

In Figures HA and HB, further embodiments of retractable apparatus are depicted at 410, 412 respectively. These apparatus include retractable mechanisms as described with reference to Figures 8 and 9, respectively.

The devices 410 and 412 of Figures HA and HB are also provided with an additional seal assembly 404, 406 located below the central channels 408, 410 and which is attached to the main cylindrical body 412, 414 of the apparatus. In these cases, the sealing mechanism is a ball bearing mechanism. In a vertical (non-dispensing) orientation, the ball bearings 424, 426 sit against bearing seats 420, 422 to provide a seal that prevents substances from being introduced via the cap of the apparatus to the bottle into the region below the sealing mechanism 404, 406.

In a dispensing configuration, the ball bearings 424, 426 displace in the direction indicated by the arrows 430, 432. Baskets 434, 436 are attached to inner surfaces 438, 440 of the seal assemblies 404, 406. The baskets retain the ball bearings 424, 426 while the liquid is

being dispensed through the apparatus. While the ball bearings 424, 426 are located in the region 442, 444 of the baskets, regions 446, 448 of the bottle are fluidly connected with the region 450, 452 permitting the flow of liquid from the region 446, 448 past the seal mechanism and through the central channels 408, 410 and on for consumption via a convoluted flow path provided by the apparatus .

In Figure 12A and 12B, further apparatus are depicted at 500 and 502, and include alternative seal assemblies. In this embodiment, the seal assembly is provided on the underside of the caps 504, 506 of the apparatus 500,502. The seal assemblies comprise a spring 508, 510 for biasing a disc member 512, 514 against a sealing surface 516, 518 of the central cylindrical retractable bodies 520, 522 when the device is located in a vertical orientation. By dispensing fluid through the apparatus according to arrows 522, 524, the force provided by the liquid flow forces the disc members 512, 514 to move away from the surface 516, 518 providing a separation 524, 526 through which fluid may flow from the bottle and out of the apparatus.

In these embodiments, the central cylindrical members 520, 522 are moveable as described previously, but, in this case, opening springs 532, 534 are provided to exert force against a bottom surface 536, 538 of the moving central tubular members 520, 522 to assist in the extraction of the central bodies to be moved from a closed position to an open position upon actuation by a user.

The apparatus of the present invention may be incorporated into a bottle upon manufacture. Alternatively, the apparatus may include a locking mechanism or a "one-way" attachment mechanism for attachment and secure location of the apparatus to a bottle by a user, and such that a person cannot remove it from the bottle without noticeably destroying the apparatus.

The present invention provides further advantages. Primarily, the apparatus described, providing a complex channelled flow path combined with a radially extending flange, prevents introduction of foreign substances to a bottle. Use of such devices on bottles in environments where malicious date/drug rape practices may occur can provide confidence that a drink has not been tampered with and give confidence to the consumer. There is no requirement for chemical testing. Further, the device can be used with or without a straw and such that direct access to the central channel of the apparatus is prevented. The drink may be dispensed while the apparatus is located on the bottle and it does not need to be removed and replaced each time a person wishes to drink from the bottle.

The cap may be manually removed, such that a drink contained in a bottle with the apparatus attached may readily be poured into a glass or could, for example, allow placing a straw through the apparatus. This means that the present apparatus can be applied to bottled drinks and that the user may choose, depending on the circumstances, whether to keep the cap on to provide

protection against tampering, or whether to take it off for pouring into a glass etc.

Various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the present invention.