Non-refillable container closure

Abstract: The invention provides a non-refillable anti-glug fitment for co-operation with the neck portion of a container for liquids, said fitment comprising an outer body (1) adapted to conform to the neck of the container, and formed with a shaped through bore (4) extending from an inlet end (5) to an outlet end (6) and a guard member (3) partially obturating the outlet (6); characterised in that the outlet (6) opens from a chamber (10) defined by the through bore (4) and by opposed spaced apart faces (20.21) of the guard member and a fixed or moveable member (2), and by a plurality of apertures forming part of the through bore (4) which allow fluid flow passed the valve body and in that the total area defined by the apertures is equal to, or less than, the total area of the outlet, thereby to alleviate glugging by providing that air may pass into the neck of the container at a rate equal to, or greater than, the rate at which liquid flows out. The fixed or moveable member is preferably a moveable valve body which cooperates at its periphery with a plurality of radially spaced apertures (16) forming a part of an inlet passage (8) in the open position, but obturated in the closed position by the valve body (2) seating on the valve seat (18).

Description: The present invention relates to non-refillable fitments according to the preamble of claim 1 for containers and particularly for containers containing valuable commodities such as alcoholic beverages. It is an ongoing problem to prevent the unauthorised addition of adulterating liquids such as water to bottles containing high value alcoholic liquids such as whisky, gin, or vodka. Attempts have been previously made over the years to address this problem in, for example, GB-A-835507 and GB-A-1002513. GB-A-835507 provides a non-refillable fitment for co-operation with the neck portion of a container for liquids, said fitment comprising an outer body adapted to conform to the neck of the container, and formed with a shaped through bore provided toward an inlet end with a valve seat and toward a remote end with an outlet; a valve member slidingly co-operable in said bore between a closed position in abutment with the valve seat and an open position, and a guard member partially obturating the outlet. The valve body is provided with a plurality of radially disposed fins over a portion of the length thereof. It will be appreciated that when the bottle with the fitment attached thereto is reversed to release the liquid contents therefrom the valve moves from the seat and allows the liquid to low past the finned valve body over the guard member and through the outlet. When the container is returned to its upright position the valve body falls back onto the seat, thereby preventing any adulterating liquid from entering via the outlet. Unfortunately it is, in practice, relatively easy to circumvent this arrangement. Similarly, GB-A-1002513 provides an arrangement wherein the valve body is provided with a spherical surface for contact with the valve seat. Again it is possible to adulterate liquids in the bottle. A further problem which has not been addressed in the prior art is the problem of how to alleviate glugging, while optionally retaining a non-refillable facility. Glugging is the phenomenon which occurs when the volume of liquid flowing from a bottle, or other container, is not replaced by a gas such as air in the container itself. It is therefore necessary for air to force an entry into the container via the container neck to equalise the negative pressure induced by the passage of liquid from the container. From GB-A-835 507 it is known to provide a fitment for co-operation with a neck portion of a container for liquids, said fitment comprising an outer body adapted to conform to the neck portion of the container, and formed with a shaped through bore extending from an inlet to an outlet with a guard member partially obturating the outlet; and a valve body provided in said inlet, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures being formed between the valve body and the inlet, the outlet opening from a chamber provided adjacent the apertures and between the apertures and the outlet. The present invention is characterised in that the volume of the chamber exceeds at all times the volume of the apertures, thereby to alleviate glugging by providing that air may pass into the neck portion at a rate equal to, or greater than, the rate at which liquid flows out. The total volume of the chamber is therefore adapted to exceed the volume of the apertures formed between the valve body and the inlet. It will be appreciated that by arrangements of this sort it is possible to provide both alleviation of the glugging problem and an increase in security against unauthorised adulteration of the contents of the container. The valve body is movable by gravity between a closed position obturating the inlet and an open position which allows fluid flow. In an open position of the valve body, the chamber is defined at least by surfaces of the guard member and the valve body. Conveniently, the apertures are formed by a plurality of fins located in a spaced array about the periphery of the valve body. Preferably, the fins are parallel either to the axis of the valve body or to each other and are angled to the axis of the valve body, and each fin has a trapezoidal shape. In preferred embodiments, the valve body has a frusto-conical portion adapted for co-operation with a valve seat provided on the inlet. Conveniently, the outlet has a radial component, opening from the chamber. Preferably, the outlet has a second directional component generally perpendicular to the radial component. In preferred embodiments, an outlet passage opening from the chamber has at least three changes of direction, each generally of the order of 90°. By "generally of the order of" is meant an angular displacement of ± 20°. Conveniently, first and third directions of the outlet passage are generally parallel to each other as, in another embodiment are second and fourth directions. In a particularly preferred form of the invention of this last type, with the fitment in an upright position, the height of the outlet (a), the distance (b) between an upper surface of the valve body in its open position and a top interior edge of the outlet (a); a width (c) of a vertical section of the outlet passage, a vertical length (d) of the outlet passage and the length (e) of the radial component of the outlet, conform to the requirement that:- (a) is less than (b) and no more than 1.5 x (e) (c) is up to 1.5 x (a) and (d) is at least 2 x (a). Preferably, the guard member has a surface having an internal radial dimension which is smaller than the external radius of the valve body, said surface acting as a stop to prevent movement of the valve body substantially beyond the guard member, thereby in use forming the chamber in the open position of the valve body. In our British Patent No. GB-A-1596984 we have claimed a combined non-refillable/pilfer proof closure assembly for a bottle comprising a tubular moulded plastics body having an outer diameter not greater than the external diameter, but greater than the internal diameter, of the bottle neck adjacent to the mouth of the bottle, said body having an external thread toward the upper or mouth end thereof, said body housing a non-refillable fitment which has a cylindrical portion extending beyond the lower end of the tubular body, a gasket gripping said cylindrical portion and extending radially outwardly to underlie the bottom end of said tubular body and having a plug portion adapted to fit into and seal against the internal diameter of the bottle neck, said tubular body being located within an outer metal shell having a crown, an upper skirt portion connected to a lower security band portion by a series of angularly-spaced bridges located in an interrupted slit line, at least the lower portion of the security band having a diameter slightly in excess of the external diameter of the container neck, the upper skirt portion of the metal shell being provided with a threaded plastics insert for co-operation with the external thread, whereby the assembly may be conjoined by threaded inter-engagement and applied to the container neck by axial pressure upon the shell. Whereas this arrangement is entirely satisfactory, it requires that the outer metal shell is rolled, by known processes, into engagement with the fitment and the bottle top. It will be appreciated that this rolling step can be complex in that it requires a number of external threads to be rolled onto the metal cap and security band portion while the fitment is held in axial compression against the neck of the container. Whereas this can be satisfactorily effected, the present arrangement becomes problematical if it is desired to sell the fitments to manufacturing entities which do not have the comparatively complex bottle top thread rolling apparatus. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an assembly having a fitment as described above and a pilfer-proof closure for a container, wherein said fitment comprises a tubular moulded plastics body having an outer diameter not greater than the external diameter, but greater than the internal diameter of the container neck portion adjacent a mouth thereof, said body having an external thread toward the upper end thereof, said body comprising a plug portion adapted to fit into, and seal against, the internal diameter of the container neck portion, said body further being located within said filter-proof closure which comprises an outer metal shell having a crown and an upper skirt portion connected to a lower security band portion by a series of regularly spaced bridges located in an interrupted peripheral slit line, at least the lower portion of the security band having a diameter slightly in excess of the external diameter of the container neck, the upper skirt portion of the metal shell being provided with a threaded plastics insert for co-operation with the external thread of the body whereby the pilfer-proof closure and the fitment may be conjoined by threaded inter engagement. The security band portion is engaged with a shoulder or groove of the container neck by rolling a formation of the security band to retain the upper skirt portion in situ until first use. In preferred embodiments, the external thread is displaced relatively radially inwardly whereby the shell has an outer diameter the same as, or only marginally larger than, the neck of the container to which it is applied. The shell may be inter-fitted with the tubular body and the container neck by a rolling step wherein the body requires essentially a single annular recess inferior to the line of bridges to engage a formation whereby the rolling of the security band and the other formation acts to lock the fitment about the container neck. In arrangements of this sort, the threaded plastics insert can also be extended to provide a liner to the inner surface of the crown of the metal shell. Conveniently, a gasket is provided at the lower end of the tubular body to grip said plug portion, said gasket extending radially outwardly to underlie the bottom of said tubular body in use. The invention will now be described, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the components of a first fitment in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 shows a vertical cross-section of the fitment of Figure 1 in full inter-engagement and in the open and closed positions, Figure 3 shows a fitment of Figures 1 and 2 applied to the neck of a vodka bottle in vertical elevation and in part vertical cross-section; Figure 4 shows an exploded view of components of a second fitment in accordance with the present invention, Figure 5 shows an alternative view of the guard member of Figure 4, and Figure 6 shows a vertical cross-section through the assembled components of Figures 4 and 5, disposed on a bottleneck. With reference first to Figure 1, outer fitment body (1) is formed with a shaped through bore (4) extending from an outlet end (6) to an inlet end (5). The exterior of the body (1), which is formed in this instance of a clear polystyrene, is formed with an external screw thread (11) adjacent the outlet end of the fitment. The body (1) is also formed with an annular recess (19) for inter-engagement with a metal shell. The body (1) terminates towards its lower end in a container neck plug (23), the surface of which is a sliding fit into a container neck. Outer body flange (22) is adapted to overlay the end of the neck in use. A valve member (2) is provided with a substantially cylindrical body (16), terminating towards its lower end in a frusto-conical portion (17) which is adapted for co-operation with a valve seat (18) at the inlet end (5) of the body (1). Disposed regularly about the periphery of the valve body (16) are four radially disposed trapezoidal fins (14). These fins are shown disposed perpendicular to the axis (A) of the valve body (16), but they may be helically arranged if it is desired to cause the body (16) to spin in use. The upper surface of the valve body (20) forms the floor of a chamber which will be described later. The trapezoidal fins (14) are angled in such a way that the outer faces (15) are in free sliding contact with a portion of the shaped bore (4). The guard member (3) has a generally top-hat configuration and is provided with an outwardly directed flange (12) which is adapted to interfit in the shaped bore (4). The guard member (3) is also provided with radial outlet channels (9) disposed through an upstanding annular guard member (7). The guard member (7) is formed with a recess (7a) to render it more difficult to insert implements into the fitment. Turning now to the arrangement of Figure 2, it will be noted that the outlet end (6) represents the terminal portion of the outlet passage shown generally at (8), preferably having certain defined parameters (a) to (e). It will be noted that the flange (12) interfits in the shaped through bore (4) at the foot of the outlet passage (8) so as to provide a serpentine access passage to the valve body (16). The underside of the guard member (3) is formed by a lower surface of the guard member (21). This is juxtaposed to the upper surface of the valve body (20). It will be noted that the internal diameter of the guard member (3) is slightly less than the adjacent portion of the shaped through bore (4) and accordingly provides an annular stop (13). It will be also noted that the outer diameter of the fins (14) exceeds the diameter of the annular stop (13) whereby the valve body (16) is prevented from moving into the so-formed chamber (10) by more than is shown to the left-hand side of the diagram of Figure 2. It will thus be appreciated that the volume of air disposed in the device, both in the chamber (10) and lowing through the radial outlet channels (9), is considerably in excess of the volume defined by the fins (14) and the valve body (16). This means that air is always available in excess to the contents of the container whereby glugging is alleviated. Further, because the valve body (16) cannot reach the aperture (9), it is very difficult to introduce even a resilient member to retain the valve body in a position other than that which was intended. This is especially so if the measurements given hereinbefore for (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) are adhered to because it is then difficult to fashion a wire element, for example, which will both fit into the passage (8), enter the radial passage (9) and be able to interfere with the valve body (16) by interposing itself between fins (14). Accordingly, by utilisation of the chamber (10) it is possible both to alleviate the problem of glugging and to very much assist prevention of unwarranted adulteration. The valve body (16) is formed with a frusto-conical portion (17) which is adapted for co-operation with a valve seat (18) adjacent the inlet end (5). It will be appreciated that slight misalignments of the valve body (16) relative to the outer body and the valve seat (18) can be taken up because of the frusto-conical nature of the valve body. With reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings, the arrangements shown operate in a precisely analogous way to the arrangements shown in Figures 1 and 2 with the exception that the serpentine channel (8) formed by the device for the prevention of adulteration is more tortuous. In the description which follows, like parts are designated by like numerals and operate in the same way or analogously. The description is therefore directed to points of difference. Figures 4 and 6 show a modified outer fitment body (1 1 ) provided to its interior bore (4) with a plurality of spaced, inwardly-directed splines (38). The modified valve member (32) is similar to the valve member (2) hereinbefore described with the exception that the fins (14) have a greater circumferential depth. The modified guard member (33) is somewhat different to the guard member (3) as before set forth. As will be appreciated from the exploded view of Figure 4, upper and lower flanges (39 and 39') reinforced by support pieces (40), are adapted to be a sliding fit passed the splines (38) in the modified outer fitment body (1 1 ). Because the splines (38) retain the guard member (33) in an inwardly spaced position relative to the inner walls of the modified outer fitment body (1 1 ), liquid can flow from chamber (10) via aperture (9) and along the inner surface of the modified outer fitment body (1 1 ) adjacent the spline (38). By this means liquid lows toward the top guard flange (37) which substantially obturates the aperture of the bore (4) such that the path from the exterior into the valve body (32) is made even more difficult for an unauthorized insertion, because it is not possible to insert a pre-bent wire into the bore (4) which will negotiate the path to the valve body (32). It will also be noted that the interior of the chamber (10) in this instance includes baffle members (41). In use the arrangement of Figures 4 to 6 is assembled as shown in Figure 6 and used analogously to Figure 2. It will be noted that the passage (8) of Figure 2 is, with reference to Figures 4 to 6, even more difficult to by-pass from the entry to the bore (4). Turning now to Figure 3, the same elements of the arrangement of Figure 2 are shown with the exception that the device of Figure 2 is shown applied to a container neck (24). In order to apply the fitment of Figures 1 and 2 to a container neck (24), a gasket (25) of polyethylene is first disposed between the outer body flange portion (22) of the outer body and the top of the neck of the container (24). In Figure 6 a gasket (25') of an annular flanged configuration is applied to the container neck (24). This spaces the exterior annular face (23') of the inlet end (5') of the lower portion of the outer body (1 1 ) for the container neck (24) and provides a better seal. The description which follows alludes to the arrangement of Figures 1 to 3, but analogously is applicable to Figures 4 to 6. Subsequently an outer metal shell (26) is disposed about the outer body (1). The outer metal shell (26) is in this instance formed of aluminium and is provided with a line of frangible bridges (27) disposed peripherally about the exterior thereof to define a peripheral slit line (28). The portion of the outer metal shell (26) above the slit line is referred to as the cap (31), the portion below the slit line is the security band portion (29). Disposed in the cap (26) is an annular plastics insert (43) which, in this instance, has been extended to cover the internal surface of the crown of the metal cap (31). The annular plastics insert formed of polypropylene is provided with an internal thread (44) for co-operation with threads (11) previously described. Internal liner (45) is disposed between the outlet end of the outer body of the fitment (1) and the periphery of the underside of the cap (31). It will be appreciated that prior to the forming of the annular recess (30) and the interned security lip (35), the metal cap may be screwed upon the outer body (1) of the fitment thereby to retain the same in a sealed condition. It is then only necessary to roll the interned security lip (35) onto the corresponding shoulder of the bottle neck (24) and simultaneously form the rolled annular recess (30) to lock the fitment onto the container neck permanently while allowing cap (31) to be removed and replaced at will. By means of this arrangement it is possible to sell assemblies of the fitment and metal cap therefor for simple rolling in situ. By means of the arrangement in accordance with the present invention it has been found that it is very difficult, even for those experienced, to introduce adulterating liquids into the liquid in the container, with the added advantage that glugging is alleviated. It is also the case that by use of the closures in accordance with the present invention the rolling step is made that much more simple. Accordingly, assembly after filling of the containers with vodka, for example, is speeded.

Claims: A fitment for co-operation with a neck portion of a container for liquids, said fitment comprising an outer body (1;1') adapted to conform to the neck portion of the container, and formed with a shaped through bore (4) extending from an inlet (5;5') to an outlet (6) with a guard member (3;33) partially obturating the outlet; and a valve body (2;32) provided in said inlet, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures being formed between the valve body and the inlet, the outlet opening from a chamber (10) provided adjacent the apertures and between the apertures and the outlet; characterised in that the volume of the chamber exceeds at all times the volume of the apertures, thereby to alleviate glugging by providing that air may pass into the neck portion at a rate equal to, or greater than, the rate at which liquid flows out. A fitment according to claim 1 wherein the valve body (2;32) is movable by gravity between a closed position obturating the inlet (5;5') and an open position which allows fluid flow. A fitment according to claim 2, wherein in an open position of the valve body (2;32), the chamber (10) is defined at least by surfaces (20,21) of the guard member (3;33) and the valve body. A fitment according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the apertures are formed by a plurality of fins (14) located in a spaced array about the periphery of the valve body (2). A fitment according to claim 4 wherein the fins (14) are parallel either to the axis of the valve body (2) or to each other and are angled to the axis of the valve body, and wherein each fin has a trapezoidal shape. A fitment according to any preceding claim wherein the valve body (2;32) has a frusto-conical (17) portion adapted for co-operation with a valve seat (18) provided on the inlet (5). A fitment according to any preceding claim wherein the outlet (6) has a radial component (9), opening from the chamber (10). A fitment according to claim 7 wherein the outlet (6) has a second directional component generally perpendicular to the radial component (9). A fitment according to any preceding claim wherein an outlet passage opening from the chamber (10) has at least three changes of direction, each generally of the order of 90°. A fitment according to claim 9 wherein first and third directions of the outlet passage are generally parallel to each other. A fitment according to any of claims 2 to 10 wherein the guard member has a surface (13) having an internal radial dimension which is smaller than the external radius of the valve body, said surface (13) acting as a stop to prevent movement of the valve body substantially beyond the guard member, thereby in use forming the chamber (10) in the open position of the valve body. An assembly having a fitment according to any preceding claim and a pilfer-proof closure for a container (24), wherein said fitment comprises a tubular moulded plastics body having an outer diameter not greater than the external diameter, but greater than the internal diameter of the container neck portion adjacent a mouth thereof, said body having an external thread (11) toward the upper end thereof, said body comprising a plug portion (23) adapted to fit into, and seal against, the internal diameter of the container neck portion, said body further being located within said pilfer-proof closure which comprises an outer metal shell having a crown (26) and an upper skirt portion (31) connected to a lower security band portion (29) by a series of regularly spaced bridges (27) located in an interrupted peripheral slit line (28), at least the lower portion of the security band (29) having a diameter slightly in excess of the external diameter of the container neck, the upper skirt portion of the metal shell being provided with a threaded plastics insert (43) for cooperation with the external thread (11) of the body whereby the pilfer-proof closure and the fitment may be conjoined by threaded inter engagement. An assembly according to Claim 12 wherein the security band portion (29) is engaged with a shoulder or groove of the container neck by rolling a formation (35) of the security band (29) to retain the upper skirt portion (31) in situ until first use. An assembly according to claim 12 or 13 wherein the external thread (11) is displaced relatively radially inwardly whereby the shell has an outer diameter the same as, or only marginally larger than, the neck of the container. A assembly according to any of claim 13 to 14 wherein a gasket (25) is provided at the lower end of the tubular body (1) to grip said plug portion (23), said gasket extending radially outwardly to underlie the bottom of said tubular body in use.

Inventors: COX MALCOLM ALAN, LLOYD MATHEW JON, COX, MALCOLM ALAN, LLOYD, MATHEW JON
Applicants: METAL CLOSURES GROUP LTD, MCG CLOSURES LIMITED
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B65D49
IPC codes: B65D41, B65D49