Introduction

The present invention relates to a container closure and in particular to a container closure for mounting on a container of the type comprising a container body in fluid communication with a bored container opening for the delivery of liquid from the interior of the container, the closure comprising a bored closure body having a closure outlet at one end and a closure inlet at the other end, the closure body mounting a plurality of exterior ribs for engagement with the interior walls of the container opening.

Many people, particularly the younger generation, drink beverages from bottles or containers, rather than first pouring the contents of the container or bottle into a glass. This has become a very popular practice and is particularly prevalent in establishments where drink is sold to the public, such as bars and lounges or indeed, particularly when sold for consumption in the open air or in large areas where the patrons are not seated. Thus, at events in particular, it is not uncommon to see many people drinking directly out of the containers.

A particular problem that is sometimes encountered is the problem of the "spiking" of drinks. This problem has manifested itself in various ways in that people have had their drink spiked by the introduction therein of unwanted substances. Indeed, there has been considerable publicity recently about what is called 'date rape drugs", where a person's drink is adulterated by some substance, which substance makes the person, particularly girls, vulnerable and forget what happened over a relatively short period of time, such as 24 hours. During that 24 hours, the person may have been raped or otherwise interfered with.

Even leaving out the problems of such date rape, there are other problems in that people do not want substances introduced into their drink, whether it be by way of deliberate attempt to cause the person harm or simply by an idea that it would in some way funny to do so.

Another problem associated with drinking directly from bottles or other containers is Weils disease. This is a potentially fatal disease carried in the urine and/or faeces of rats which, when deposited on the top of bottles (such as when stored in cellars), can be transmitted to humans when the contents are drunk directly out of the bottles.

It is a therefore one object of the present invention to provide a container closure which goes someway toward overcoming at least the above problems, and/or which will provide the public and/or industry with a useful choice.

It is acknowledged that the term "comprise" may, under varying jurisdictions, be provided with either an exclusive or inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted explicitly, the term comprise shall have an inclusive meaning - i.e. that it may be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components. Accordingly, the term "comprise" is to be attributed with as broader interpretation as possible within any given jurisdiction and this rationale should also be used when the terms comprised and/or comprising" are used.

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent form the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

Slatements of Invention

According to the invention, there is provided a container closure for mounting on a container of the type comprising a container body in fluid communication with a bored container opening for the delivery of liquid from the interior of the container, the closure comprising a bored closure body having a closure outlet at one end and a closure inlet at the other end, the closure body mounting a plurality of exterior ribs for engagement with the interior walls of the container opening characterised In that the closure comprises a closure gate which extends between the interior walls of the closure body, the closure gate formed from a plurality of closure flaps which pivot between a closed position against a closure stop to seal the container to an open position allowing liquid to exit the container through the closure outlet, the closure further comprising a container venting tube having an venting tube air inlet at one end

and a venting tube air outlet at the other end, the venting tube being arranged such that when liquid exits the container through the closure the liquid is directed away from the venting tube air inlet to allow air to enter the venting tube air inlet and pass through the venting tube and out through the venting tube air outlet into the interior of the container without being restricted by the liquid exiting the closure.

Such a closure is particularly advantageous as it will prevent the entry of liquid or other contaminants into the container. Additionally, the provision of the venting tube will enable air to flow into lhe container which will prevent the formation of a vacuum within the container, which will enable persons drinking from the container to be able to drink for longer periods from the container without having to stop.

The closure also provides a barrier between the bottle being drunk out of and the mouth of the person drinking from the container, which will remove the likelihood of contaminants or germs, such as Weils disease, being passed from the bottle top to the drinker. Such a barrier between the bottle will also serve an anti-spill function preventing liquid being accidentally spilled from the bottle. The closure will also minimise the likelihood of a drinkers teeth being accidentally chipped in the case when the container is a glass bottle.

In one embodiment of the invention, the closure is mounted on the container and comprises a tamper evident seal between itself and the container.

The provision of a tamper evident seal will also provide a means to alert drinkers when the closure has been tampered or otherwise interfered with.

In one embodiment of the invention, the closure body is plug-like for insertion into the container opening.

In one embodiment of the invention, the closure flaps are provided by a disc shaped film out of which have cut a plurality of notches.

In one embodiment of the invention, the closure slop is formed from a substantially rigid disc shaped member out of which have been cut a plurality of substantially

triangular wedge shaped portions. The closure stop is thus provided by a peripheral rim out of which extend, toward the centre of the disc shaped member, a plurality of substantially rigid radial bands.

In one embodiment of the invention, the closure flaps provided by the flexible disc shaped film and the closure stop together form a one-way valve within the container closure.

In one embodiment of the invention, the venting tube has a downwardly extending portion which extends from below the closure inlet substantially vertically through the closure body breaking through an interior wall of the closure body just beneath a closure rim to the venting tube air inlet.

In one embodiment of the invention, a venting tube air valve is fixed to the end of the venting tube.

In one embodiment of the Invention the venting tube air valve comprises a valve closure device provided by ball bearing, and a valve closure device retaining shell.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig 1 shows a perspective side view of a container closure according to the invention:

Fig. 2 shows a cut-away perspective side view of the container closure shown

Fig. 1 :

Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the container closure shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the container closure shown in Fig. 1:

Fig. 5 shows a plan view of a configuration of closure flaps according to the invention:

Fig. 6 shows a plan view of a configuration of a closure stop according to the invention;

Fig. 7 shows a plan view similar to Fig. 6 of an alternative construction of closure stop;

Fig. 8 shows perspective views of a configuration of valve closure device retaining shell according to the invention;

Fig. 9 shows a perspective views similar to Fig. 8 of an alternative construction of valve closure device retaining shell;

Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of a configuration of a closure outlet sleeve according to the invention;

Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a configuration of closure sealing cap according to the invention;

Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of a configuration of an air guide according to the invention;

Fig. 13 shows a sectional view of a further hollow pipe according to the invention, and

Fig. 14 shows a sectional view of a receptacle used for storing the closure according to the invention.

Referring initially to Figs. 1 to 4, there is shown a container closure, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for mounting on a container 2 of the type comprising a container body, indicated generally by the reference numeral 4, in fluid

communication with a bored container opening 6 for the delivery of liquid from the interior of the container 2. With specific reference now to Fig. 2, the closure 1 comprises a bored closure body, indicated generally by the reference numeral 8, having a closure outlet 10 at one end and a closure inlet 12 at the other end, the closure body 8 mounting a plurality of exterior ribs 14 for engagement with the interior walls of the container opening 6. Ideally, the body 8 is formed of rubber or other resilient or elastic material. It should be appreciated that when liquid is being consumed or expelled from the container 2 it will flow from the closure inlet 12 through the bored closure body 8 and out of the closure outlet 10 in the direction generally indicated by arrow 16. It should further be appreciated that the closure body 8 is also plug-Iike for insertion into the container opening 6.

The closure 1 further comprises a closure gate, indicated generally by the reference numeral 18, which extends between the interior walls of the closure body 8, and is formed from a plurality of closure flaps 20 which pivot between a closed position against a closure stop 22 to seal the container 2 to an open position allowing liquid to exit the container 2 through the closure outlet 10. In particular, when in the open position the flaps 20 will pivot outwards in the direction of the arrow 16. At the same time, if liquid or other unwanted substances are poured against the closure flaps 20 from outside the container, the movement of the closure flaps 20 against the closure stop 22 will prevent the liquid or unwanted substances passing beyond the flaps 20 into the container.

In the instance shown, and with brief reference now to Fig. 5, in which parts similar to those described already are identified by the same reference numerals, the closure flaps 20 are provided by a flexible disc shaped film 24 out of which have cut a plurality of notches 26, which notches extend from near the centre of the film 24 to its outer rim. Additionally, and as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, and again with parts similar to those described already identified by tho same reference numerals, the closure stop 22 is formed from a substantially rigid disc shaped member 28 out of which have been cut a plurality of triangular wedge shaped portions 30 to form a peripheral rim 34 having a plurality of substantially rigid radial arms 32 which extend to, and meet at the centre of the disc shaped member 28. It should be appreciated that the closure flaps 20 in conjunction with the closure stop 22 together form a one-way valve within

the container closure 1. It will however be appreciated that the one-way valve may be any other suitable valve mechanism allowing liquid to pass out of the container but resisting the entry of liquid into the container, such as for example a diaphragm valve.

With reference now to Fig. 3, there is shown an exploded view of the closure, again identified by the same reference numeral 1 with parts similar to those described already identified by the same reference numerals. As shown, the closure outlet 10 incorporates a closure outlet ridge 36 onto which the closure stop 22 is mounted. As shown the closure stop 22 extends, when in position in the closure 1, between the interior walls of the closure body 8 across the closure outlet 10. The flexible disc shaped film 24 is then placed over the upward facing surface 23 of the closure stop 22 so that the closure flaps 20 then extend over the closure stop 22. A hollow closure outlet sleeve 25 (see Fig. 10 also) is then secured around the closure outlet 10 and seals on a closure rim 50 to secure the film 24 and the closure stop 22 in position over the closure outlet 10. A closure sealing cap 27 (see Fig. 11) is then optionally placed over the closure outlet sleeve 25 to fully seal the closure 1 and the container 2.

Also shown is a hollow container venting tube 36 having a venting tube air inlet 40 at one end 42 and a venting tube air outlet 44 at the other end 46. In the instance shown, the venting tube 38 has a downwardly extending portion which extends from below the closure inlet 12 substantially vertically through the closure body 8 breaking through an interior wall of the closure body 8 just beneath the closure rim 50 to the venting tube air inlet 40, A venting tube air valve, indicated generally by the reference numeral 48, is fixed to tho end 46 of the venting tube 38. The venting tube air valve 48 comprises a valve closure device, which, in the instance shown is provided by ball bearing 52, and a valve closure device retaining shell 54 having a plurality of venting holes 56 (see Figs. 8 and 9).

The venting tube 38 is arranged within the closure 1 such that when liquid exits the container 2 through the closure 1 the liquid ts directed away from the venting tube air inlet 40 to allow air to enter the venting tube air inlet 40 and pass through the venting tube 36 and out through the venting tube air outlet 44 into the interior of the container 2 without being restricted by the liquid exiting the closure 1. Accordingly, when the

container 2 is upended and the contents are being drυnk air will pass into the air inlet 40 and through the venting tube 38 causing the ball bearing 52 to be pushed away from air outlet 44. When the container 2 is removed from the drinkers mouth the ball bearing 52 will seat on the air outlet 44 of the venting tube 38 preventing liquid going up through the venting tube 38. A hollow air guide or diffuser 58 (see Fig. 12) may also be fixed to the venting tube outlet 44 to further increase the air flow through the venting tube 38 and minimise the likelihood that liquid may accidentally flow up through the venting tube 38. Such an air diffuser 58, when mounted to the venting tube outlet 44 will retain the ball bearing 52 to complete the one way valve and misdirect the pressure of liquid pushing on the venting tube 38 to control the air bubbles passing through the liquid in the container. It wilt also prevent excessive gassing in carbonated drinks. A further hollow pipe, such as the straw 60 shown in Fig. 13, may also optionally be secured to the end of the venting tube 36 to let air travel to the end of the container 1 so that carbonated liquid within the container to prevent excessive gassing of the liquid.

The closure 1 may itself be stored in a receptacle, such as the vial 62, shown in Fig.

14.

The closure 1 may also comprise a tamper evident seal between itself and the container 2.

It is envisaged that the liquid dispenser according to the present invention may be permanently fitted as part of a closure or alternatively, it may be retrofitted immediately prior to selling the beverage. It is also envisaged that the body 2 may be provided with suitable indicia such as advertising or the like.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, but may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the claims.