PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR VESSELS

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective device for vessels and their contents that prevents the introduction of unwanted substances or insects into the vessel, whilst enabling easy removal of the vessels contents during use.

[0002] Drinks are consumed from a variety of drinking vessels in a wide variety of environments. Many drinks are consumed in the open air especially during the summer months when insect populations are high e.g. at outdoor functions or barbeques or in geographical locations where the climate is such that there is a high insect population. Consumption of drinks in this environment is problematic due to the fact that insects are often attracted to beverages and contaminate them.

[0003] There is also an increasingly popular social drinking culture in many countries where people frequent bars, hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and the like where patrons consume beverages from a wide variety of drinking vessels including conventional glassware or liquid holding vessels such as glass or plastic bottles. It is becoming increasingly common for beverages especially those consumed by women to be spiked by the introduction of an unwanted substance such as a drug. Drinks have also reportedly been spiked with pharmaceutical substances, poisons and drugs in powder, liquid or solid form. It has been common for many years for drinks of low or no alcohol content to be spiked with highly alcoholic spirits such as vodka or gin. In most instances the substances are introduced to confuse the drinker in order to take advantage of the drinker. In some instances the spiking is an innocent prank however such pranks may have serious consequences if the drinker is allergic to alcohol or has a medical condition that results in serious side effects when alcohol is consumed. Examples of drugs or substances that may be used to spike drinks include Rhohypnol, gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), and Ketamine.

[0004] There have been various attempts in the art to deal with the problem of spiking or contamination of drinks. These have broadly fallen into three groups. The first are devices or methods of detecting spiking or tampering with drinks at point of sale and before consumption. These are typically tamper evident devices and through early indication of tampering prevent sale of contaminated drinks to consumers. The second group of devices are those that indicate that a drink has been spiked after purchase and possibly partial consumption. These devices are designed to alert the drinker to the contamination of drinks whilst they have been temporarily unattended. The third group are those that deter contamination of the drink once it has been purchased and is being drunk. One particularly challenging problem is overcoming the use of syringes with and without needles to introduce date rape drugs and the like into unattended drinks. Syringes are used in part to ensure that the appropriate dose is administered to the drink however their popularity for spiking drinks is mainly due to their ease of concealment and ability to rapidly administer the drug to the unattended drink.

[0005] Apart from the problems associated with the tampering of drinks in drinking vessels at point of sale or during their enjoyment problems associated with the tampering of other contained products in liquid form are also addressed by the present invention. One area of importance in this respect is that of liquid pharmaceutical products. It is reported that pharmaceutical products are widely counterfeited in some parts of the world. When the pharmaceutical products are in the liquid form this problems can manifest itself in a number of ways. Unscrupulous operators either obtain used containers for the pharmaceutical product or fabricate copies of these containers, which they are then able to easily fill with liquid materials that are not pharmaceutically active. The key problem is that the containers for liquid pharmaceutical products are easily reusable and can easily be refilled after use. Another area where use of liquid containers is a problem is in the brewing and distilling industry. In these industries high value products such as spirits may be counterfeited in much the same way

as identified for liquid pharmaceutical products. In addition these products are often watered down by unscrupulous retailers. These practices are possible because it is relatively easy to access the liquid container during use and to replace or tamper with its contents. Similar problems exist in a wide range of industries where the products are in liquid form and in containments or vessels that may easily be reused or tampered with. These practices are a serious problem for primary manufacturers and brand owners of high value liquid product.

[0006] WO 2004/076309 describes a protective device for covering a liquid holding vessel. GB 2,382,069 describes a protective cap for a bottle. GB 2,385,586 describes a dispensing device with contaminant guard that fits into the neck of a bottle. WO 2004/014202 describes a drinking apparatus with a valve element. DE 29607954U1 describes a bottle cap.

[0007] There is a need for devices that are able to prevent or deter the tampering or contamination of liquids such as for example the spiking of drinks or the contamination of drinks by insects. The present invention has been devised to provide a device that prevents or deters the tampering of liquid products when in liquid containment vessels.

[0008] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a protective device for a liquid containment vessel which comprises one or more external openings through which liquid may exit from the device and one or more internal openings through which liquid may enter the device from the containment vessel, the external openings and internal openings being in communication with each other via a tortuous path.

[0009] Preferably the tortuous path is arranged such that when the containment vessel comprising the protective device is in use that is preferably in an upright position any liquid introduced to the protective device through one or more of the external openings is forced to exit the protective device under the action of gravity.

[0010] The protective device may be secured in a removable manner to the liquid containment vessel. Examples of liquid containment vessels include drinking glasses or plastic beakers for beer, wine or spirits and for example the neck of a glass, plastic or metallic bottle including for example large bottles for use in the dispensing of spirits via optics.

[0011] The protective device may be secured in an irremovable manner to the liquid containment vessel. By irremovable is meant that the protective device cannot be removed, once applied, during the normal use of the containment vessel without the use of special tools or destruction of the device and/or containment vessel. One example of this embodiment is the use of a region on the protective device that may be crimped to secure the protective device to the top of a containment vessel such as for example a glass bottle in a similar fashion to a conventional metal bottle top. Once removed by use of an opening device e.g. bottle opener the crimped device cannot easily be re-attached to the top of the bottle.

[0012] The protective device may be manufactured so as to be an integral part of the liquid containment vessel. In this embodiment individual components of the protective device may formed as integral parts of the liquid containment vessel and other components that are not formed in an integral fashion may secured in a removable or irremovable manner to the other components to create the protective device. Multi component assembly in this fashion may be advantageous for the simultaneous manufacture and filing with liquid of the liquid containment vessel comprising an integral protective device.

[0013] Preferably the protective device comprises two or more regions of external openings, which are preferably located around an external circumference of the protective device. In this arrangement whilst liquid is exiting the drinking vessel and protective device through one of the external openings air is able to enter the device through one or more of the other

external openings and into the drinking vessel via the tortuous path. In one embodiment the external openings are provided at regular intervals around the whole external circumference of the protective device. In another embodiment the external openings comprise at least one series of openings that are in a cluster at a point on the protective device, preferably at a point on the external circumference. The cluster is preferably of such dimensions that the mouth of a user may cover all of the external openings of the cluster when drinking from the vessel through the device to ensure that all of the liquid exiting the vessel passes into the mouth of the drinker. The dimensions may be such that the cluster can act effectively as a spout for pouring liquid out of the containment vessel. There may be a single cluster and one or more additional external openings to allow ingress of air during the extraction of liquid via the cluster. Alternatively there may be a plurality of spaced apart clusters that can be used alternatively for liquid extraction or air ingress. In a further embodiment the plurality of clusters may be used with one or more additional external openings.

[0014] The protective device may have a single internal opening. Preferably the protective device comprises two or more regions of internal openings, which are preferably located around an internal circumference of the protective device and are in communication with the interior of the liquid containment vessel. In a preferred embodiment the internal openings are located at regular intervals around the internal circumference of the protective device.

[0015] Each and every external opening of the protective device may have a corresponding internal opening and be in communication with that opening through a single isolated tortuous path. In one embodiment the external openings may be in communication with two or more internal openings via a corresponding number of tortuous paths or via a multitude of tortuous paths. In another embodiment the internal openings may in communication with two or more external openings via a corresponding number of tortuous paths or via a multitude of tortuous paths. In a

preferred embodiment regions of external openings and internal openings are all in communication with an internal chamber that is arranged to define a multitude of tortuous paths from the containment vessel to the exterior of the protective device. In a preferred embodiment the chamber is a common chamber for all internal and external openings of the device. In this embodiment no individual external or internal opening communicates with a corresponding external or internal opening each and every opening is in communication with each and every other opening via the common internal chamber and a plurality of tortuous paths.

[0016] The tortuous path may comprise one or more baffles located within an internal chamber of the protective device or as a component of a chamber wall, the baffles may be used to prevent a line of sight path through the internal chamber between the external and internal openings of the protective device or they may assist in increasing the tortuous nature of the tortuous path already present between such openings. Alternatively the tortuous path may be provided by locating the internal and external openings in offset arrangement to each other in the device so that there is no line of sight path between the openings. The tortuous path may be defined by a combination of baffles and offset arrangement of openings. The baffles may take the form raised sections surrounding the mouth of an internal opening. In one embodiment the tortuous path may comprise and be defined by one or more surfaces that are in communication with one or more external openings, wherein these surfaces are arranged in relation to the external openings such that any liquid deposited the surfaces is forced to move towards and exit through the external openings under the action of gravity. In this regard the first internal surface accessible from the external opening or openings is arranged such that it presents an upwardly sloping surface from the external opening or openings as the surface passes into the interior of the protective device. With this arrangement any liquid injected through the external openings and into the device comes into contact with this sloping surface and because of the direction of the slope i.e. sloping down from the a high point in the interior of the device towards

the external opening, the liquid flows down this sloping surface under the force of gravity and exits the device through the external opening or openings. In a preferred embodiment there are at least two distinct sloping surfaces within the device and associated with the tortuous path, which behave in this way and cause injected liquid to move along the surfaces towards the external opening under the action of gravity. In a preferred embodiment these distinct sloping surfaces are adjacent to each other in the interior of the device such that liquid moves from one surface to the other as it is forced to exit from the device. In one embodiment one of these surfaces is provided by an external surface of one or more baffles located within the device. The tortuous path may comprise one or any combination of all of the forgoing features of this paragraph.

[0017] In one embodiment the protective device is in the form of a cap which may be inserted into or onto the neck of a containment vessel e.g. a bottle. In this embodiment the device may comprise means to reversibly secure the device to the containment vessel so that it may be removed for recycling. In another embodiment the device is designed to be secured to the containment vessel in such a way that any attempt to remove the device will result in irreversible damage to the device and/or containment vessel.

[0018] In a further embodiment the protective devices may be used in combination with additional temporary sealing means such as for example a removable cap or sealing tape. The additional sealing means may be present for hygiene purposes such as to prevent contamination by bacteria during storage or to provide a recognizable identification that the drinks vessel has not been used or opened before the point of sale or use. These caps or tapes may be used in combination with conventional tamper evident technologies.

[0019] The use of a tortuous path in the protective device ensures that liquid may not easily be reintroduced to the containment vessel. In

particular the tortuous path prevents easy insertion of a syringe with or without a needle into the device so as to place the tip of the syringe or needle proximate to the internal opening of the device. With this arrangement it is not possible to undertake direct injection of liquid into the containment vessel. When the tortuous path also comprises sections with angled surfaces there is the additional benefit that any liquid injected into the device that is in contact with these surfaces is forced back out of the device with the aid of gravity and or force of injection of the liquid. The angled surfaces enhance the baffle effects within the tortuous path. In addition when the protective device has tortuous paths that comprise an internal chamber this chamber may act as an intermediate holding area for injected liquid. When liquid is injected into the device the force and effectiveness of the injection is dissipated within this chamber due to the internal volume of the chamber. The liquid withheld in this chamber is then able to flow back out of the device for example under the force of gravity.

[0020] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i. e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0021] The invention will now be further described by way of example only with reference to the following description and drawings in which:

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic representation in section of a protective device according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic representation in section of a protective device according to the present invention incorporating an angled surface;

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic representation in section of a protective device according to the present invention incorporating a plurality of angled surfaces;

[0025] Figure 4 is a sectional view of a protective device according to the present invention incorporating a plurality of tortuous paths;

[0026] Figure 5 is perspective view of the protective device of Figure 4;

[0027] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the protective device of Figure 4;

[0028] Figure 7 and 8 illustrate sectional and perspective views of a protective device according to the present invention adapted for use with a bottle;

[0029] Figure 9 illustrates sectional and perspective views of a protective device according to the present invention adapted for use with a beaker or beer glass;

[0030] Figure 10 illustrates sectional and perspective views of a protective device according to the present invention adapted for use with a wine glass; and

[0031] Figure 11 illustrates sectional and perspective views of a protective device according to the present invention adapted for use with a bottle the device including a temporary protective strip.

[0032] With reference to Figure 1 the protective device (1) consists of two sections (2) and (3) that co-operate with each other to provide a tortuous path (4) connecting external opening (5) with internal opening (6). The protective device (1) may be placed over a drinking vessel e.g. glass (not shown) by inserting the open top of the drinking vessel into the base

(7) of the protective device (1). The protective device (1) is shown in the upright position which would be its normal orientation during use when attached to a drinking vessel. In order to drink from the drinking vessel the user's mouth is applied to region (8) and the drinking vessel with attached protective device (1) is tilted in the normal way to pour liquid out of the vessel and into the mouth of the user. With the protective device (1) in place the liquid must pass through the protective device (1) in order to be enjoyed by the drinker. Thus during use the liquid passes from the drinking vessel through the internal opening (6) along the tortuous path (4) and out of the protective device (1) through external opening (5). When the user has obtained some liquid from the drinking vessel this may then be alighted onto a table or bar in the upright position with the protective device (1) attached thereto. In this position the drinking vessel would under normal circumstances, without the protective device (1) in-situ, be open to the elements and could easily be accessed by a third party to inject or pour or place undesirable drugs or intoxicants in liquid or powder form into the unprotected drinking vessel. With the protective device (1) in place however such inappropriate tampering is prevented or deterred. With the protective device (1) in-situ anything injected into external opening (5) is unable to easily navigate the tortuous path (4) and, in any appreciable quantity, enter the drinking vessel via internal opening (6). Thus the drinking vessel and its contents are protected from unwanted tampering or contamination.

[0033] With reference to Figure 2 the protective device (10) consists of two sections (11) and (12) that co-operate with each other to provide a tortuous path (13) connecting external opening (14) with internal opening (15). The protective device (10) may be placed over a drinking vessel e.g. glass (not shown) by inserting the open top of the drinking vessel into the base (16) of the protective device (10). The protective device (10) is broadly similar in design and mode of use to that described in Figure 1 but with a modification to section (12). This modification consists of the inclusion of an angled surface (17) in communication with the external opening (14). This angled surface (17) assists with ensuring that any liquids

injected into the protective device (10) when in the upright position are prevented from entering the drinking vessel. The angled surface (17) is at an obtuse angle (x) relative to the side (18) of the device (10). At this angle any liquid injected into external opening (14) that comes into contact with the angled surface (17) will be forced, under the action of gravity, to pour back out of external opening (14) and out of the device (10). The use of such an angled surface (17) in combination with the tortuous path (13) greatly enhances the effectiveness of the protective device (10) in preventing tampering with or contamination of the drinking vessel.

[0034] With reference to Figure 3 the protective device (20) is broadly similar to the device described in Figures 1 and 2 but with further additional modifications to further enhance the effectiveness of the protective device (20) in preventing unwanted tampering or contamination with the drinking vessel. In this embodiment the protective device (20) consists of two sections (21) and (22) that co-operate with each other to provide a tortuous path (23) connecting external opening (24) with internal opening (25). The protective device (20) may be placed over a drinking vessel e.g. glass (not shown) by inserting the open top of the drinking vessel into the base (26) of the protective device (20). In this device all non-vertical surfaces (27, 28, 29, 30 and 31), of the sections (21) and (22), that are associated with the tortuous path (23), are angled at either an obtuse or acute angle with respect to the vertical surfaces (32, 33 and 34) of the device (20) so that when the device is in an upright position any liquid in contact with any of these angled surfaces (27, 28, 29, 30 and 31) or vertical surfaces (32, 33 and 34) is forced under the action of gravity to exit the device through the external opening (24). In this arrangement all of the internal surfaces of the device (20) that are associated with the tortuous path (23) co-operate with the tortuous path (23) to enhance its effectiveness in preventing unwanted tampering or contamination of the drinking vessel.

[0035] With reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6 a further embodiment is described in which the protective device (40) is provided which is integral with the drinking vessel (41). In this embodiment the protective element of the device (40) is provided by the arrangement of two annular baffle sections namely internal baffle section (42) and external baffle section (43) that define, with the external (45) and internal (46) side walls of the device (40), an annular internal chamber (44). Each of the baffles (42 and 43) has a plurality of spaced apart openings (47 and 48 respectively). The baffle sections (42 and 43) are arranged in a generally parallel relationship to each other and in a horizontal arrangement with respect to the substantially vertical side walls (45 and 46) of the device (40). The openings (47) of the internal baffle (42) are internal openings (47) of the device and the openings (48) of the external baffle (43) are external openings (48) of the device. The baffles sections (42 and 43) being in parallel arrangement with each other are further arranged such that their respective openings (47 and 48) are offset with respect to each other. In this arrangement there is no line of sight from the exterior (49) of the vessel (41) to the interior (50) of the vessel (41) via these offset openings (47 and 48). In this arrangement a plurality of tortuous paths are provided from the exterior (49) of the device (40) through the internal chamber (44) between the external openings (48) and internal openings (47) to the interior (50) of the drinking vessel (41). The device (40) of this embodiment has further additional features that cooperate with the plurality of tortuous paths to enhance their effectiveness in preventing spiking of the drinking vessel (41). One of these additional features are tubular sections (51) that protrude in a substantially vertical and perpendicular arrangement from the underside (52) of the internal baffle (42) within the internal chamber (44); these tubular sections (51) being located around the internal openings (47) of the internal baffle (42). The tubular sections (51) may be of any cross-sectional shape e.g. circular, square, rectangular etc. The external surfaces (53) of these tubular sections (51) define an obtuse angle with the underside (52) of the internal baffle (42). These additional tubular sections (51) and surfaces (53) increase the tortuousness of the tortuous path; any liquid that contacts these additional

surfaces (53) due to their vertical arrangement with respect to the underside (52) of the internal baffle (42) is forced under the action of gravity to pass out of the device. A further additional feature is provided by the relative angles of the surfaces associated with the tortuous paths and baffles of the device. Firstly, the internal surface (54) of the top (55) of the device (40) defines an arcuate path (x) from the central axis (y) of the device (40) to the edge (45) of the device with the slope of this arcuate path (x) increasing from axis point (y) to the edge (45) of the device (40). In this arrangement, when the device (40) is vertical, any liquid in contact with this arcuate surface (54) is forced under the action of gravity to move towards the edge (45) of the device and down the vertical surface (56) of the edge (45) and via the internal chamber (44) to the exterior (49) of the vessel (41). In addition the baffles (42 and 43) are arranged in a generally horizontal arrangement but their upper surfaces (57) and (58) define acute angles (A) and (B) respectively with the edge (45) of the device (40). In a further aspect the external surface (59) of the lower side (60) of the device in contact with the underside (61) of the external baffle (43) is arcuate.

[0036] In an alternative embodiment to that illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6 the baffles are not arranged in an annular fashion but are arranged in one or more discrete and spaced apart locations around the protective device. In this arrangement it is possible to provide discrete clusters of openings associated with the baffles. This provides one or more discrete drinking stations around the periphery of the protective device. Some of these drinking stations may be in the form of a spout to aid pouring of liquid from the containment vessel.

[0037] In Figure 6 the device (40) is shown in two sections, (62) and (63), that have been molded separately and which may be pushed into contact with each other to provide the device (40). Section (62) comprises the two baffle sections (42) and (43). Section (63) comprises the arcuate external surface (59).

[0038] With reference to Figures 7 and 8 a further embodiment is described in which the protective device (70) is adapted for use with a bottle as the drinking vessel. The device (70) is generally in the form of a cap which may be inserted into or onto the neck (90) of a bottle (91). The device (70) comprises an annular chamber (71) which comprise an inner baffle (72) having a plurality of inner openings (73) and on outer wall (74) having a multiple baffle section (75). The multiple baffle section (75) comprises an internal baffle section (76) and an external baffle section (77). The outer wall (74) is arcuate in cross-section and its internal surface (78) is therefore also arcuate. The inner baffle (72) is also arcuate in cross- section and comprises a plurality of tubular sections (79) that protrudes in a substantially vertical and perpendicular arrangement from the surface (80) of the inner baffle (72) that is within the annular chamber (71). Each tubular section (79) being located around each inner opening (73) of the inner baffle (72). Any liquid that contacts the external surfaces (81) of these sections (79) due to their vertical arrangement with respect to the surface (80) of the inner baffle (72) will be forced by gravity to flow down these surfaces and onto the arcuate surface (80) of the inner baffle (72) and out of the annular chamber (71) via the multiple baffle section (75). The internal baffle section (76) of the multiple baffle section (75) has a plurality of openings (82) and the external baffle section (77) also has a plurality of external openings (83). The internal baffle section (76) and an external baffle section (77) are arranged within the multiple baffle section (75) such that their respective openings (82 and 83) are offset with respect to each other. This offset arrangement ensures that there is no line of sight between the exterior (84) of the device (70) and the interior (85) of the annular chamber (71) of the device (70). Furthermore there is no line of sight between the exterior (84) of the device (70) and the interior of the (86) of the device (70). In this embodiment in order for the device (70) to be easily inserted and secured into the neck (90) of a bottle (91) the device has two generally downward facing annular flanges (87 and 88). The dimensions of annular inner flange (87) are such that is may be inserted into the neck (90) of a bottle (91). In this regard its radial circumference

reduces from the widest point at the baffle section (75) to which it is attached to its tip to provide a tapered flange. Towards the end of the inner flange (87) is located an annular collar (89) that assists in retaining the device in the neck of the bottle after insertion. The external annular flange (88) is connected to the top of (87') of the internal annular flange (87); it is of smaller dimensions than the internal flange (87) and is generally arcuate in cross-section. The external annular flange (88) in use sits against the external surface (94) of the bottle neck and acts in cooperation with the internal annular flange (87) to grip the top of the neck of the bottle once the device (70) is inserted to ensure a tight and robust attachment of the device (70) to the bottle neck (91). The fit is secure enough to ensure that the device cannot be removed accidentally during use or easily with one hand but must be removed with some force and ideally with the use of two hands. In an alternative embodiment inner flange (87) is omitted from the device (70) and external annular flange (88) is in a form and made of material so that it may be deformed during application of the device (70) to the top of the bottle neck (91) so that the device (70) is irremovably secured to the top of the bottle neck (91); in one example the external annular flange (88) may be made of material that enables it to be crimped to the top of the bottle neck (91) e.g. as with a conventional bottle top. In another example it is made of material that enables the external annular flange (88) to be thermally deformed so as to enclose and seal with the top of the bottle neck (91).

[0039] When the device (70) of Figures 7 and 8 is in use the various baffles, inner chambers and surfaces associated therewith present a plurality of tortuous paths from the exterior to the interior of the bottle. Whilst it is easy for liquid to exit the bottle during drinking the plurality of tortuous paths make it very difficult to inject liquid by means of a syringe or to add solid intoxicants into the bottle from the exterior thus protecting the drink and the drinker from contamination of spiking. Any liquid that is injected into the device through the exterior openings (83) of the device (70) comes into contact with the surfaces within the chamber (71) of the

device and due to their arrangement within the chamber is forced under the action of gravity to exit the device when it is in an upright position. The chamber (71) due to its volume and arrangement may effectively act as a holding chamber accumulating injected liquid that flows back out of the device once the bottle incorporating the device is placed in an upright position.

[0040] With reference to Figures 9 and 10 there are shown two embodiments incorporating the protective device described in Figures 7 and 8 incorporated into a beaker or beer glass (Figure 9) and wine glass (Figure 10).

[0041] With reference to Figures llthere are shown the bottle top related embodiment of Figures 7 and 8, which has been further modified to include a temporary protective strip (200) that is located around the circumference of the protective device (201) covering the external holes (not shown) of the multiple baffle section (202).

[0042] Such modifications and variations as apparent to the skilled addressee are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention, the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.