ONE-WAY VALVE

The present invention is directed to a one-way valve for use in liquid containers and in particular, although not exclusively, for use in drinks bottles and similar containers.

An unfortunate trend which has become increasingly common in bars and nightclub environments over the past two decades is drink spiking, where a drug is added to the drink of an unsuspecting drinker. So- called ^w date rape" drugs such as Gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB) , Rohypnol and the like have become a great deal easier to obtain and therefore instances of drink spiking are becoming more common. As the majority of such drugs have neither an odour nor a taste, they are impossible for a drinker to detect in their drink, particularly if that drinker has already consumed a number of alcoholic drinks. The drugs can have various effects on an individual, but at the very least can leave a drinker disorientated or incapacitated for a

period of time. Even so-called "recreational" drugs such as ecstasy, amphetamines and LSD can have harmful effects on an individual, even if they are merely added to a drink in small doses for a joke.

At present, drinks bottles sold in bar and nightclub environments usually come with either a detachable screw top or bottle top fixed to the neck of the bottle. When the drink is purchased, the serving staff most often open the bottle for the purchaser and discard the tops. As a result, the drinker has no way of covering the opening of the bottle if it is left unattended when they go to the bathroom or onto the dancefloor, for example. This makes it straightforward for a drug to be added to the drink whilst it is unattended.

In addition, once the top of the bottle is removed, there is no way of preventing spillage from the bottle if it is inadvertently knocked over. Given that a lot of such bottles have relatively small volumes, most of the contents can be lost before the bottle is righted. Furthermore, it is also common for unscrupulous licensees to refill premium brand bottles, in particular those containing spirits, with inferior product once the bottle is empty. Again, existing drinks bottles and containers have no mechanism for preventing such an act, commonly known as "tipping", and this can lead to the consumer being tricked into paying a premium price for a low quality product.

It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages with existing bottles and other drinks containers .

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a one-way valve for a fluid container, the valve comprising: a valve body having a bore therethrough; and a valve means located in the bore and adapted to control fluid flow therethrough, the valve means comprising: a support member extending across the bore and having one or more apertures therein,- and a membrane lying along one side of the support member and covering the one or more apertures; wherein the membrane has at least one flap portion, the flap portion being adapted to open in a first direction away from the support member but prevented by the support member from opening in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction.

The term "one-way valve" refers to a valve which only allows fluid flow in one direction therethrough.

The valve body has a first end and a second end. Preferably, the valve body further comprises a lip portion adjacent the first end. The lip portion is adapted to limit the longitudinal movement of the valve in the fluid container.

Preferably, the valve body further comprises one or more resilient flanges adapted to secure the valve in the fluid container.

In a preferred embodiment, the one or more flanges are adapted to deform in one direction only. Preferably, the valve body comprises a plurality of flanges extending radially outwardly from the valve body. Alternatively, the valve body comprises a flange formed as a helical thread extending along at least a portion of the valve body.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the one or more flanges are adjacent the second end of the valve body. Preferably, the flanges are biased outwardly such that in a first position the diameter of the valve across the flanges is greater than that of the valve body. Preferably, the one or more flanges each have one or more weakening lines thereon, such that the flanges will break from the valve body should the valve body be forceably removed from the fluid container.

In a preferred embodiment, the valve body is also provided with an indicating means adapted to indicate when the valve body has been broken. Preferably, the indicating means is located between the valve body and the one or more flanges. The indicating means is adapted to detach from the valve body should the valve body be forceably removed from the fluid container.

Preferably, the support member has a mesh portion containing the plurality of apertures . Preferably, the support member is cup-shaped and the membrane lies inside the cup-shaped support member. Preferably, the membrane is fixed to an annular reinforcing member. Preferably, the reinforcing member is adapted to fit inside the cup-shaped support member .

Preferably, the valve means further comprises a guard member extending across the bore and located on the opposite side of the membrane from the support member. The guard member is co-axial with the bore and has one or more apertures therein.

In one preferred embodiment, the valve further comprises a hollow tube adapted to permit fluid flow to bypass the one-way valve. Preferably, the valve means includes a second bore and the hollow tube is fixed in the second bore. Preferably, the tube is configured so as to prevent foreign bodies passing therethrough. Most preferably, the tube has an S- bend configuration adjacent an upper end thereof.

Preferably, the hollow tube includes a concertina portion adapted to allow the extension or contraction of the tube.

Preferably, the fluid container is a drinks bottle. Most preferably, the valve is adapted to locate in the neck of a drinks bottle.

In one embodiment, the valve is integrally formed with a closure for the container. Preferably, the closure is adapted to detach from the valve upon opening the container.

Preferably, the valve body has a plurality of first channels therein, the first channels each extending through the valve body and adapted to allow fluid communication between the bore and the exterior of the valve body. Preferably, each first channel has an inlet in fluid communication with the bore and an outlet in fluid communication with the exterior of the valve body, wherein the longitudinal distance between the support member and the outlet is greater than the longitudinal distance between the support member and the inlet.

Preferably, each of the flanges has a plurality of second channels therein, each second channel extending through the flange generally parallel to the bore. Alternatively, each of the flanges has a plurality of grooves provided on the outer surface thereof, the grooves adapted to form second channels with an internal surface of the fluid container when the valve is in use, the second channels generally parallel with the bore.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid container including a valve in accordance with the first aspect.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: in which: Figures l(a)-(d) show schematic representations of a first embodiment of a one-way valve being inserted into the neck of a bottle; Figures 2 (a) and (b) show schematic sectional and plan views of the one-way valve of Figs Ka)- (d) ; Figures 3 (a) and (b) show schematic sectional and bottom views of the one-way valve of Figs l(a)- (d) when open; Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the one- way valve inserted into the neck of a bottle; Figures 5 (a) -(C) show third, fourth and fifth embodiments of the one-way valve; Figure 6 (a) shows a sixth embodiment of the one-way valve inserted into the neck of a bottle; Figure 6 (b) shows a sectional view of the one- way valve shown in Fig 6 (a) ; Figure 6(c) is a table showing various configurations of the components of the one-way valve shown in Figs 6 (a) and 6 (b) ; and Figures 7 (a) and 7 (b) show sectional views of a seventh embodiment of the one-way valve inserted into the neck of a bottle.

Figures l(a)-(d) show a first embodiment of a one- way valve apparatus according to the present invention being inserted into the neck of a fluid container, which in this example is a drinks bottle

such as a bottle of beer. The valve is ideally manufactured from a suitable plasties material, although any other suitably resilient material may be used instead. Figure 1 (a) shows the one-way valve 10 prior to insertion into the neck of the bottle. The valve 10 has a hollow, generally cylindrical valve body 12. At an upper end of the valve body 12 is a lip portion 14 adapted to provide a close fit between the valve 10 and the neck 8 of the bottle. At the lower end of the valve body 12 remote from the lip portion 14 are a plurality of resilient flanges 16. Each flange 16 has a bowed, or convex, profile and the flanges are splayed such that the diameter B of the one-way valve 10 taken across the flanges is greater than the diameter A taken across the valve body 12. Any number of flanges 16 can be provided on the valve 10, but in this particular embodiment, four flanges 16 are present. Inside the valve body 12 is a bore 18 across which is fitted a valve means 20, which controls fluid flow through the valve and will be described in greater detail below.

In Figure 1 (b) , the valve 10 is shown partially inserted into the bottle neck 8. As the valve is inserted into the bottle neck 8, the flanges 16 come into contact with the inside surface 9 of the bottle neck 8. This is due to the fact that the inner diameter of the mouth 7 of the bottle is less than that of diameter B of the flanges 16, and also the narrowest point in the bottle neck 8. As the valve 10 is pushed into the bottle mouth 7, the flanges

compress and are pushed towards the longitudinal axis C of the valve body 12. At the instant shown in Figure 1 (b) , the diameter B has been reduced to match diameter A of the valve body 12, thanks to the compression of the flanges 16 as they enter the bottle mouth 7.

Figure l(c) shows the valve 10 once fully inserted in the bottle neck 8. As the bottle neck 8 tapers outwards away from the bottle mouth 7, the flanges 16 can expand away from the longitudinal axis C once past the bottle mouth 7. Hence, diameter B has again grown wider than that of diameter A, where the valve body 12 has a sealing fit with the inner surface 9 of the bottle neck 8. Thanks to the expansion of the flanges 16, the valve 10 is now securely held in the bottle neck 8. Furthermore, the flanges 16 each have weakening lines (not shown) such that any attempt to forcibly remove the valve 10 from the bottle will result in the breaking of the flanges 16. It will therefore be clearly evident when a valve has been tampered with, and the consumer can discard the bottle.

The valve 10 is prevented from travelling any further down the bottle neck 8 by the lip portion 14, which is now flush with the bottle mouth 7. As the lip portion 14 is flush with the bottle mouth 7, a bottle closure 6 can now be fitted over the bottle mouth 7, as seen in Figure l(d). The closure 6 can be a conventional bottle top or screw cap fitted to

the bottle as normal, or else it may also be integrally formed with the valve 10.

Figures 2 and 3 show further schematic views of the valve 10 and the components of the one-way valve 20 in particular. Figures 2 (a) and 3 (a) show vertical sections through the valve 10 when fitted in the bottle neck 8. In these figures, the flanges 16 have been removed, but only for illustrative purposes. Figure 2 (b) shows a horizontal section through the valve 10 along line II(b)-II(b), whilst Figure 3 (b) shows another horizontal section through the valve 10 along line III (b) -III (b) .

The valve means 20 is comprised of a support member 22 which is fixed in the bore of the valve body 12 and extends across the diameter of the bore. The support member is cup-shaped in the described embodiment, but may be any suitable configuration. The cup-shaped support member 22 can be fixed in the bore using any suitable means or could be formed integrally with the valve body 12. The support member 22 has solid side walls 22a and a base 22b having one or more apertures which will allow liquid from the bottle to pass through the support member 22 and out of the valve 10. The base 22b may have a mesh which provides the apertures. The valve means 20 also includes a valve membrane 24, which is either fixed to, or integrally formed with, the support member 22 such that it lies upon one side of the support member 22. The membrane 24 is made from a flexible material and has a number of cuts made

through it in order to form flaps 26 that can open and close. The flaps 26 cover the one or apertures in the support member 22. The membrane 24 can be fitted directly in the support member 22 or else it can be fitted to a reinforcing ring (not shown) which is then fitted in the support member 22. Because the membrane lies on the support member 22, the flaps 26 are prevented from opening downwards by the support member 22. Instead, the flaps 26 can only open away from the support member 22, as shown in Figure 3 (a) . The support member 22 and membrane 24 lie across the valve bore 18 so that any liquid passing through the bore 18 must pass through them to exit. Thus, when the valve 10 is fitted into a bottle neck, liquid flowing from the bottle in the direction of arrow F will pass through the mesh base 22b of the support member 22 and force open the flaps 26 of the membrane in -order to pass through and out of the bottle neck.

The membrane 24 is made from a relatively resilient material to ensure that a reasonable amount of force is required for the liquid to push open the flaps 26. As a result, a bottle may be inadvertently tipped over without liquid immediately pouring out. However, once flow commences through the flaps 26, the flaps 26 will remain open until such time as the flow stops.

As the flaps 26 of the membrane 24 cannot open downwards due to the mesh base 22b of the support member 22, no liquids or solids can be passed

downwards through the valve 10 into the bottle. Thus, if anyone attempts to spike the drink in the bottle with a drug in either powder or liquid form, it will be clear to the bottle user due to the powder or liquid lying on the top of the valve membrane 24. The bottle can then be discarded without the user unknowingly taking the drug while drinking from the bottle.

Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, which is essentially a modified version of the first embodiment. As a result, the features which are shared with the first embodiment have been allocated the same reference numbers and will not be described further. The principal difference between the two embodiments is that the valve 1' shown in Figure 4 also includes a tube, or straw, 30 fixed to the valve means 20' . The straw 30 is moulded or fixed into a bore provided through the one-way valve. Thus, the support member and membrane each have been adapted in order to provide an aperture for the straw 30 to pass through. The straw 30 is fixed in position in the bore so that it cannot be removed in an attempt to expose the bore and contents of the bottle. The straw has a lower portion 32 which is at an angle to the main body of the straw 30 in order that it can reach any liquid left in the bottom of the bottle. Furthermore, the uppermost portion 34 of the straw is separated from the main body of the straw by an S-bend portion 36. The S-bend portion 36 is provided in order to prevent any liquids or solids being added to the

bottle via the straw 30. Although the embodiment described includes an S-bend, the bend may alternatively be any shape so long as it can prevent any contaminants from being administered to contents of the bottle.

Figures 5(a)-(c) show third, fourth and fifth embodiments, respectively, of the one-way valve of the present invention. The internal components of the valve, which cannot be seen in Figures 5(a)-(c), are substantially the same as those used in the other illustrated embodiments and will consequently not be described here. The main difference between the first and second embodiments in particular and the embodiments shown in Figures 5(a)-(c) is that the third, fourth and fifth embodiments are secured in the neck of a fluid container or bottle in a different manner. The valve bodies 42,52,62 of the third, fourth and fifth embodiments each have a number of integrally formed flanges 46,56,66 projecting radially outwardly therefrom. The flanges 46,56,66 are resilient and adapted such that they may bend in only one direction, as illustrated by arrow B. Thanks to this arrangement, the flanges 46,56,66 allow the one-way valves to be slid into the neck of a bottle in the direction illustrated by arrow A, but prevent the one-way valves from being removed in the direction of arrow C once inside the neck of the bottle. The flanges 46,56 of the third and fourth embodiments are each identical and spaced along the length of their respective valve bodies 42,52. However, the flanges may also be formed as

part of a single helical thread, as illustrated by the flanges 66 of the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 5 (c) .

The embodiments shown in Figures 5(a)-(c) also illustrate ventilation means which allow air to pass into the container or bottle whilst liquid is passing out through the one-way valve. In each of the embodiments illustrated and described herein, the lip portions of the valve bodies can be provided with a number of narrow channels which allow air to pass into the container through the lip portion. As can be seen in Figures 5(a)-(c) by way of example, the channels each have inlets 100 spaced about the internal surface of the lip portions 44,54,64, the inlets 100 communicating with respective outlets 102 opening on the external surface of the lip portions 44,54,64. This allows air to pass into the container from atmosphere, bypassing the seal provided by the lip portion, and thereby ensuring a smooth flow of liquid from the container or bottle through the one- way valve .

In the third embodiment shown in Figure 5 (a) , the flanges 46 are provided with narrow channels 48 which allow air to pass into the container through the flanges 46. The channels 48 are generally parallel with the bore of the valve body. In the fourth embodiment illustrated in Figure 5(b), the flanges 56 are provided with grooves 58 which, when the valve is placed in the bottle neck, form channels with the inner wall of the bottle neck.

The channels formed by the grooves 58 run substantially parallel with the bore of the valve body. In the fifth embodiment illustrated in Figure 5(c), the air can flow down the channels formed by the helical thread into the container or bottle. The channels in the lip portions 44,54,64 are formed such that their outlets 102 are a greater longitudinal distance along the valve body from the valve means than their respective inlets 100. That is to say, when the valve is located in a fluid container, the channels run upwards from inlet 100 to outlet 102. This ensures that it is not possible for any contaminants to be added to a bottle via the air channels. The inlets 100 of the channels are also sufficiently small that the surface tension of any liquid which is applied to the channels from above will ensure that the liquid will not flow through the channels into the bottle.

Figures 6 (a) and 6 (b) show views of a sixth embodiment of the one-way valve of the present invention. Externally, as shown in Figure 6 (a) , the sixth embodiment is substantially identical to the fifth embodiment, in that the valve body 72 has integrally formed flanges 76 projecting therefrom which form a helical thread around the valve body 72. The valve body 72 also has channels formed in the lip portion 74, the channels having inlets 100 and outlets 102 which allow air, but not contaminants, to pass into the neck 8 of the bottle. However, where the sixth embodiment differs from the other embodiments described is illustrated in the

schematic sectional view shown in Figure 6 (b) .

As seen in Figure 6 (b) , fitted within the valve body 72 are the components which form a valve means 120. The valve means 120 comprises a support member 122 having one or more apertures therein, and a valve membrane 124 which lies upon, and is supported by, the support member 122. The membrane 124 is cut so as to form flaps that may open and close. In effect, the support member 122 and membrane 124 perform the same functions as the support member and membrane illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. Where the sixth embodiment differs is that the valve means 120 also includes a guard member 126 located in the bore of the valve body 72 on the opposite side of the membrane 124 from the support member 122. As with the support member 122, the guard member 126 is provided with one or more apertures to allow fluid flow therethrough. The guard member 126 is located in the bore a sufficient distance above the membrane 124 that it does not interfere with the opening of the flaps in the membrane 124.

Figure 6(c) is a table showing examples of various configurations that the support member, membrane and guard plate of the sixth embodiment may take. Row A shows various configurations of the guard member 126, row B shows various configurations of the membrane 124 and row C shows various configurations of the support member 122. The columns (i) to (iii) show the most preferred combinations of guard member, membrane and support member, but it will be

understood that other combinations of the illustrated components may be used.

The guard member shown at A(i) in the table comprises an outer ring 200 and an inner disc 202 integrally formed with, and interconnected by, a number of spokes 204. The guard member shown at A(ii) comprises an outer ring 210 supported by a number of spokes 212. The guard member shown at A(iii) is similar to that shown at A(ii) except that grille or grate segments 214 are formed between the spokes 212. The membranes shown at B(i) and B(ii) in the table are identical and comprise two perpendicular cut lines 302,304 which form a cross with four generally triangular-shaped flaps 306. The membrane shown at B(iii) is substantially identical to that shown in Figure 2 (b) in that the flaps 310 are formed from generally C-shaped cut lines 308 made in the membrane, and the cut lines 310 are arranged around the centre of the substantially circular membrane. Finally, row C illustrates the support members, where the support member of C(i) is a ring member. The support member of C(ii) is comprised of an outer ring 400 connected to an inner disc 402 by spokes 404. The support member of C(iii) is substantially identical to the guard member of A(iii) , having an outer ring 410, spokes 412 and grille segments 414 between the spokes 414. Where the guard member and support member are identical, as in column (iii) , one of the two members is rotated relative to the other prior to being fixed in the valve body. This ensures that

the apertures in the guard member and support member are not aligned, thereby preventing any instruments passing through both members via aligned apertures .

A seventh and final embodiment of the valve is illustrated in Figures 7 (a) and 7 (b) . The seventh embodiment is similar to that shown in Figure 4, but includes fixing flanges 86 provided on the valve body 82, as also illustrated in Figures 5(a)-(c). As in the second embodiment, the valve 80 includes a tube, or straw, 90 fixed thereto. The straw 90 is moulded, or fixed into, a bore provided through the valve means, with the support member, membrane and guard member (if fitted) adapted accordingly. The straw 90 is fixed in the bore and cannot be removed therefrom. The uppermost portion 94 of the straw 90 has an S-bend portion 96 which prevents liquids or solids being poured down the straw to avoid the valve 80. As previously stated, the shape of the uppermost portion 94 of the straw 90 can be an alternative shape, so long as the shape still prevents entry of undesired liquids or solids. The uppermost portion of the straw 94 also includes a concertina portion 98. The concertina portion 98 is compressed, as shown in Figure 7 (a) so that the top of the straw 90 sits below the cap 99 of the bottle. Once the cap is removed, as shown in Figure 7 (b) , the concertina portion 98 of the straw 90 can be expanded so that the top of the straw protrudes from the neck of the bottle. The concertina porton 98 may be compressed by the cap 99 such that when the cap is removed, the concertina portion expands

upwards automatically.

One advantage of the present invention is that it can prevent the spiking of unattended drinks in bars and nightclubs, whilst still allowing the drink to flow out of the bottle. By utilising a one-way valve of the type described, liquid can still flow out of the bottle, but the one-way valve arrangement of the present invention captures any substance that is added to the bottle, be it in liquid, solid or powdered form. In addition, the flaps of the valve membrane are relatively resilient and thus require a reasonable pressure to be applied by the liquid before the flaps will open. As a result, the present invention can also prevent spillage, at least temporarily, from a bottle which has been accidentally knocked over. A yet further advantage of the present invention is that the one-way valve prevents the adding of any product to the bottle when in place. Therefore, it also prevents the practice of licensees re-filling empty premium brand bottles with inferior product, thereby benefiting the consumer.

The valve can be fitted at the bottling stage, or else bar staff or the customer could fit it. If installed at the bottling stage, the valve could potentially be integrally formed with the bottle cap.

Although not shown in the figures, a visual aid may be added to the valve of the present invention to

assist in showing when the valve has been tampered with. For example, a coloured or luminous ring could be fitted between the flanges and valve body, so that if the flanges are broken when an attempt is made to remove the valve from a bottle, the ring will drop into the bottle. This ring can then be seen by the consumer and it will be clear that the valve has been broken for some reason.

Although a drinks bottle has been used as an example of a fluid container in the preferred embodiments described above, it should be understood that the present invention could be utilised with any type of fluid container.

These and other modifications and improvements may be introduced without departing from the scope of the invention.