Wick to indicate package opening

A product includes a container having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a lip between the interior and exterior surfaces, and a wick having a first end disposed inside the container, a second end disposed outside of the container, and an intermediate portion extending across the lip of the container. A package may include the product, a liquid product carried within the container, and a closure coupled to the container to squeeze the wick to interrupt flow of the liquid product therethrough.

The present disclosure is directed to containers and, more particularly, to containers having anti-counterfeit features.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Many containers are provided with tamper-resistant devices to resist refilling of contents in the containers. For example, a beverage container can include a fitment that renders the container non-refillable, so as to impede efforts to refill the container with inferior products. U.S. Pat. No. 3,399,811 illustrates a container of this type.

A general object of the present disclosure, in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, is to provide a product including a container and a package opening indicator carried by the container to indicate whether a package has been opened and, thus, provide evidence of efforts to repackage the container with counterfeit product.

The present disclosure embodies a number of aspects that can be implemented separately from or in combination with each other.

A product in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure includes a container having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a lip between the interior and exterior surfaces, and a wick having a first end disposed inside the container, a second end disposed outside of the container, and an intermediate portion extending across the lip of the container.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a package that includes the aforementioned product, a liquid product carried in the container, and a closure coupled to the container to close the container and pinch the wick between the closure and the container to interrupt flow of the liquid product wicking therethrough.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a package that includes a container having a finish, a closure removably secured to the finish, and a wick extending from within the container over the finish and between the closure and the finish to indicate when the closure has been removed from the finish, the wick being squeezed by the closure against the finish to prevent transfer of liquid along the wick, such that removal of the closure allows liquid to travel along the wick to an observable portion of the wick outside of the container.

In accordance with a further aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of producing a package that includes coupling a wick to a container so that a first end of the wick extends into the container, a second end extends out of the container, and an intermediate portion extends over a lip of the container. The method also includes filling the container with a liquid product, and applying a closure to the container to pinch the wick between the closure and the container lip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1illustrates a package10in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the disclosure. The package10includes a container12, a closure13for the container12, and a liquid product P filling the container12. Additionally, the package10may include a package opening indicator in the form of a wick14carried by the container12. As used herein, the phrase “carried by the container” includes carried in the container, carried on the container, coupled to the container, and/or the like. As will be described in further detail below, the wick14extends from a location inside the container12below a fill line or level of the liquid product P, under the closure13, and to a location outside of the container12. When the closure13is coupled to the container12, the closure13squeezes or pinches the wick14between the closure13and the container12to interrupt wicking or capillary action of the wick14until such time as the closure13is removed and wicking resumes. As such, the wick14may facilitate evidencing of efforts to tamper with the package10, by providing visible evidence that the package10has been opened from its original factory sealed condition. As used herein, the term “removal” may include partial or complete removal.

The container12may be of any suitable shape, and may include a jug, jar, bottle, other food or beverage container, or any other suitable container. The container12may include a base15on which the container12may be supported, a body16extending axially from the base15, a shoulder18extending radially and axially from the body16, and a neck20extending axially from the shoulder18. As used herein, the term axial includes oriented generally along a longitudinal axis of the closure, container, or package and may include but is not limited to a direction that is strictly parallel to a container longitudinal central axis A. The body16and the neck20may be generally cylindrical, as illustrated, or they may be tapered or of any other suitable shape. The neck20may include a finish22(a neck finish in a bottle embodiment), which may include a radially interior surface24, an axially outward end surface or lip26, and a radially exterior surface28with one or more closure retention elements30projecting from the exterior surface28, or the like, for cooperation with corresponding portions of the closure13. The elements30may include threads or thread segments, bayonet features, snap-fit features, crown closure or crimp beads, or any other suitable closure retention features. As used herein, the term thread segment includes whole, partial, multiple, and/or an interrupted thread, thread segment, and/or lug.

The container12may be of one-piece integrally formed construction, for example, of glass, plastic, or any other suitable material. (The term “integrally formed construction” does not exclude one-piece integrally molded layered glass constructions of the type disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,401, or one-piece glass bottles to which other structure is added after the bottle-forming operation.) The container12may be fabricated in press-and-blow, blow-and-blow, or hand blowing glass container manufacturing operations, or in a plastic injection and/or blow molding operation, or in any other suitable manner.

The closure13may include a cap, cork, plug, or any other suitable type of closure, and may be composed of plastic, metal, glass, ceramic, or any other suitable material. In any case, the closure13may include a base wall32, and an annular outer skirt34extending from the base wall32. The skirt34may have one or more internal container retention elements36(FIG. 2) projecting from an interior surface thereof for cooperation with corresponding portions of the container12. Although not shown, the closure13also may include a seal on inside surface of the base wall32and/or an annular inner sealing skirt extending from the base wall32radially inward of the outer skirt34. The elements36may include threads or thread segments, or bayonet features, snap-fit features, crimpable features, or any other suitable container retention features. The skirt34may be circumferentially continuous or may be circumferentially interrupted.

The wick14may be carried in any suitable location(s) of the container12, both internally and externally of the container12. In general, the wick14extends from within the container12over the finish22and between the closure13and the finish22to indicate when the closure13has been removed from the finish22, wherein the wick14is squeezed by the closure13against the finish22to prevent transfer of liquid along the wick14, such that removal of the closure13allows liquid to travel along the wick14to an observable portion of the wick14outside of the container13. More specifically, the wick14may include a first end38inside the container12, a second end40outside the container, and an intermediate or closure contact portion42between the ends38,40and extending across the lip26of the container12. The wick14may extend over or through the closure engagement feature(s)30. The wick14is illustrated as having an elongated solid string-like shape, but the wick may have a ribbon-like shape, hollow cylindrical shape, or any other suitable shape(s). The wick14may be of flaccid or rigid structure, and may be carried by the container12in any suitable manner. For example, the wick14may be draped over the lip26and one or more portions may hang loosely inside and/or outside of the container12in one embodiment. In another embodiment, however, the wick14may be applied to, or carried directly on or in, one or more surfaces of the container12.

In fact, one or more portions of the wick14may be non-removably secured to the container12. The terminology “non-removably secured” includes a manner in which the wick14is, by design-intent, not intended to be removed from the container12without damaging the container12, the wick14, and/or any other portion(s) of the package10, or otherwise visibly compromising the structural and/or functional integrity of any of the above. The wick14and/or the container12may include any suitable features to non-removably secure the wick14to the container12. In one embodiment, the wick14may include an adhesive to secure the wick14to the container12, or a separate adhesive may be applied between the wick14and the container12.

In another embodiment, represented byFIG. 1A, at least a portion of a wick14′ may be embedded in a wall of a container12′. More specifically, an interior portion114′ of the wick14′ may be disposed in an interior channel24a′ of the container12′ and/or an observable or exterior portion46′ of the wick14′ may be disposed in an exterior channel28a′ of the container12′. Likewise, although not illustrated, an intermediate portion of the wick14′ may extend across an axial lip of a neck finish22′ of the container12′, such that the wick14′ is disposed in a channel in the axial lip. Similarly, a portion of the wick14′ may be disposed in a radial channel in closure engagement feature(s) (not shown) of the container12′. In a further embodiment, the aforementioned embodiments may be combined, such that the wick14′ may be carried in a channel of the container12′ with adhesive, either carried by the wick14′ or applied to the wick14′ and/or the container12′.

In any embodiment, with respect toFIG. 1, the closure13and/or the container12may carry any suitable axial and/or radial seals and/or may have any suitable channels in the container12to accommodate the thickness of the wick14so as to provide good sealing between the closure13and the container12despite the presence of the wick14.

The wick14may include any suitable materials, components, or the like. For example, the wick14may be composed of fiber, fabric, plastic, metal, glass, ceramic, and/or any other suitable material(s) that are sufficiently absorbent, adsorbent, or otherwise facilitate capillary flow. The wick14also may include a liquid activated colorant, for example, a dye, dye crystals such as those used in litmus paper, or any other suitable colorant or the like, for example, to visually accentuate the presence of liquid wicking in the wick14.

In an organic material embodiment, the wick14may be constructed and composed of a fibrous cellulose material. In this embodiment, the wick14may be relatively pliable, soft, and/or elastic to facilitate being pinched off between the closure13and the container12.

In an inorganic material embodiment, the wick14may be constructed and composed of a silica material, for example, a silica gel. The silica gel may be particularly difficult to remove by a counterfeiter, and is especially compatible with glass recycling. The silica gel may be deposited in situ to the container12, for example, to bond to the container12. Accordingly, the wick14may be attached by screen printing, for example, using applied ceramic labeling or any other suitable techniques. In another embodiment, the wick14may be attached by brushing wick material on the container12, spraying a strip of wick material on the container12, or the like. The silica gel may be in the form of a slurry or suspension, and a binder, for example, silane, could be used to help couple the silica gel to the glass surface. Such a wick may require some heat to cure it, for example, less than 200 degrees Celsius. In one embodiment, the wick14could be applied to warm containers after they have exited an annealing lehr at the end of a hot end of a glass container manufacturing operation.

In another embodiment, it may be desirable to cover or protect a portion of the wick14that is on the exterior of the package10, for example, to deter tampering therewith. Accordingly, a protective coating (e.g., silica oxide SiO2), a separate shrink sleeve, or a portion of the closure13perhaps with a viewing window, could cover the exterior portion of the wick14from tampering.

Accordingly, as used herein, the term “wick” includes an element of any construction and composition suitable to facilitate capillary action or flow, and may be separate from and/or integral with a container. The wick14facilitates verification of authenticity and identification of counterfeit product.

In one embodiment, a part of the wick14that is disposed exteriorly with respect to the container12may be of a certain composition, or may carry or contain the certain composition, to indicate an authentic product by changing color upon contact with the container contents as the contents moves through the wick14. For example, the wick14may include an alcohol-responsive crystal that responds to the particular formulation of alcohol of the authentic product carried by the container12.

In another embodiment, the wick14may be of a composition and/or construction that facilitates separation of the natural compounds in the authentic product. For example, when black food dye is spilled on a paper towel, the individual colors of the dye separate out as the dye wicks through the paper. In a similar fashion, the compounds present in the authentic product separate as they diffuse through the wick14. The authentic product will exhibit a certain type of appearance (pattern, coloration, etc), and a counterfeit product will exhibit an appearance that is different from that exhibited by the authentic product. Any suitable materials may be incorporated in the wick14, for example, materials used for thin layer chromatography may be particularly suitable.

In a further embodiment, the exterior portion of the wick14may be in the form of a design feature, decoration, or decorative pattern that may grow in size as more and more of the authentic product flows therethrough.

In production, and according to one embodiment, the product P may be dispensably disposed within the container12of the package10. For example, a product manufacturer may fill the container12with an authentic, genuine, or original flowable product P at a packaging plant or factory. The product P may include a liquid or flowable solid, for example, a beverage, for instance, beer, wine, liquor, soda, or any other suitable beverage or liquid, or a flowable food of any kind. Thereafter, the wick14may be coupled to the container12so that the first end extends below the level of product P and so that the wick14is laid over the lip wherein the second end extends below the lip on the exterior surface of the container. In another embodiment, the wick14may be coupled to the container12before the product P is flowed into the container12. For example, after the wick14is placed in a desired position with respect to the container12, a fill nozzle may be inserted into the container12and product P may be flowed through the fill nozzle until the level of product P is above the first end of the wick14. In any case, the product P will begin to flow up the wick14via capillary action.

But, with reference toFIG. 2, before such product flow reaches the container lip42via the wick14, the closure13may be removably secured to the container12and, more specifically, the container finish22. Securement of the closure13to the container12may cause the wick14to be pinched therebetween. The wick14may be pinched between the axial lip26(FIG. 1) of the container neck finish22(FIG. 1) and a corresponding axial portion of the closure13, and/or by corresponding radial portions of the container12and the closure13(for instance an inner skirt or plug (not shown) of the closure13). In other embodiments, a fitment or other component could be installed in the container neck20(FIG. 1) prior to assembly of the closure13to pinch the wick14between that component and the container12. When the closure13is removed, that component could be carried off the container12by the closure13in any suitable manner, so that the component is removed upon opening of the package10. In this way, the pinch point on the wick14may be inside the container neck20(FIG. 1) instead of on the axially facing lip26(FIG. 1). In any case, the package10leaves the packaging plant in an original factory sealed state or condition, with the exterior portion46of the wick14unactivated.

Thereafter, and with reference toFIG. 3, after wholesale distribution or retail sale, for example, the closure13may be removed to allow the product P to be dispensed out of the container12. When the closure13is removed from the container12, by being displaced in a direction axially away from the container base15(FIG. 1), pressure on the wick14is relieved such that the wick14becomes unpinched or unsqueezed. Accordingly, liquid product will continue flowing through the wick14toward the second end40and thereby produce a change in coloration in the exterior portion46of the wick14that is observable or visible to an observer. Also, as used herein, the term “visible” includes visible to a human eye with or without aid of a special light, for example, an ultraviolet light, or the like. Accordingly, the state change of the coloration may be overt (visible to the human eye in natural daylight) or covert (visible to the human eye in the presence of a special light). The state change will deter a counterfeiter from refilling and/or repackaging the container12with counterfeit product. As used herein, the term “coloration” includes color, hue, transparency, and/or any other suitable coloration qualities.

According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, there are provided methods of producing and using a package. A method of producing a package may include coupling a wick to a container so that a first end of the wick extends into the container, a second end extends out of the container, and an intermediate portion extends over a lip of the container. The method also includes filling the container with a liquid product, and applying a closure to the container to pinch the wick between the closure and the container lip. A method of using the package produced by the method above may include removing the closure from the container to unpinch the wick so that the liquid product flows though the wick toward the second end to indicate opening of the package. Any suitable sequencing of the aforementioned steps may be used.

In a further embodiment, the presently disclosed wick may be used in conjunction with one or more of the embodiments disclosed and shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/832,729 filed Mar. 15, 2013 (entitled PACKAGE OR PRODUCT HAVING A USE INDICATOR), which was filed on the same date as the present application is assigned to the assignee hereof and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

There thus has been disclosed a product, a package, and methods that fully satisfy all of the objects and aims previously set forth. The disclosure has been presented in conjunction with several illustrative embodiments, and additional modifications and variations have been discussed. Other modifications and variations readily will suggest themselves to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the foregoing discussion. For example, the subject matter of each of the embodiments is hereby incorporated by reference into each of the other embodiments, for expedience. The disclosure is intended to embrace all such modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.