Patent Publication Number: US-2022212845-A1

Title: Device for securing a bottle&#39;s cap, corresponding method and computer program product

Description:
1. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The field of the disclosure is that of the securing of bottles&#39; caps, in particular for ensuring the integrity of the content of such bottles. 
     More specifically, the disclosure relates to a device to be implemented in a bottle&#39;s cap for ensuring the integrity of the content of the bottle. 
     The disclosure can be of interest in any field where there is a need for preventing from counterfeiting contents embedded in bottles. This is the case for instance for high-end wines or spirits, but also for luxury or pharmacology goods. 
     2. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND 
     Bottles are known for packaging a liquid or a cream in the fields of cosmetics, perfumery or pharmacy. Glass bottles are, for example, also used to receive wines or spirits. 
     Such bottles generally comprise a body defining an internal volume called a reservoir, for packaging the product, this body being extended by a neck, the upper free end of which is open to fill or empty the reservoir. A cap, e.g. a cork, is introduced in the neck to get the bottle closed for storage or transportation of the content. 
     In the wine sector, radio frequency identification, hereafter RFID, components have been proposed to integrate marketing functions, such as the provision of a detailed technical sheet on a bottle following the reading of the RFID component by means of a mobile device, allowing a person to make an informed purchasing choice and/or to obtain detailed information about a purchased product. 
     The combination of RFID components with smart sensors helps to track the life of a bottle of wine. For example, by means of a temperature sensor, it would be possible to determine whether the bottle has followed optimal storage conditions or if, on the contrary, it has been exposed to temperature variations that are not recommended for the correct maturation of a wine. Such RFID component may be integrated with the bottle label for instance. 
     However, such device does not allow ensuring the integrity of the content of the bottle, i.e. that the bottle has never been opened before for e.g. substituting a poor quality wine to an expected high quality one. 
     There is thus a need for securing the integrity of a bottle, in particular the integrity of its content. 
     3. SUMMARY 
     A particular aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device for securing a bottle&#39;s cap. Such device comprises:
     a first part;   a second part mechanically connected to the first part through a mechanical connection; and   a securing component comprising a radio frequency transponder, a first portion of the component being implemented in the first part of the device, a second portion of the component being implemented in the second part of the device, at least one portion of the component extending through the mechanical connection.   

     The second part comprises means for fixing the device to a cap of a bottle. The mechanical connection is configured for breaking when a traction or a torsion is applied on the first part of the device versus the second part. 
     Thus, the present disclosure proposes a new and inventive solution for securing a bottle&#39;s cap (e.g. a cork). 
     More particularly, the proposed device is configured in such a way that once it is fixed to the cap of the bottle, the mechanical connection between the first and second parts of the device breaks when an attempt is made for removing the device from the cap by acting on (e.g. pulling or unscrewing) the first part of the device. For instance, the first part is the only part of the device that is accessible from the exterior of the bottle when the device is correctly fixed to the cap using the means for fixing. 
     The breaking of the mechanical connection leads to a break of the portion of the securing component that extends through the mechanical connection. This leads to a modification of the behavior of the securing component that can be detected e.g. by interrogating the transponder (e.g. through a predetermined response to a request or through an absence of response to such request e.g. when the securing component is out of order following the break of the portion of the securing component). Such modification of the behavior of the securing component is representative of an attempt of access to the content of the bottle. The use of such device thus allows securing the bottle. 
     In some embodiments, the first part is configured for covering a cap for which the device is intended. 
     Thus, the first part prevents from accessing to the content of the bottle using e.g. a needle through the cap. For instance, the first part has a cylindrical shape with a diameter in the range of 18 mm up to 28 mm for covering the cork disposed at the free end of the neck of most standard wine bottles. 
     In some embodiments, the first part is designed to cover a cap and the first portion of the securing component substantially spreads all over the first part. 
     For instance, the first portion of the securing component comprises e.g. an antenna of the transponder (e.g. a spiral antenna) so that the transponder is no more functional when the antenna is perforated. The first portion of the securing component may also comprise a secure mesh and the electronic circuitry of the securing component is configured for detecting that a perforation has occurred e.g. by measuring the impedance of the mesh, or by detecting an open circuit. Thus, the device is able to detect an attempt to access to the content of the bottle using e.g. a needle through the cap. 
     In some embodiments, the first part is designed to cover a cap, and comprises at least one opening allowing the air to circulate below the first part, said openings having an orientation substantially parallel to the first part. 
     Thus, the content of the bottle remains in contact with fresh air even when the device is fixed to the cap, as required e.g. for maturating wines. 
     In some embodiments, the means for fixing comprise at least one spike for spiking the device to a cap. The at least one spike comprises means for anchorage configured for preventing the second part to be pulled off the cap when an attempt is made for pulling the device from the cap. 
     In some embodiments, the first part comprises at least one first pression area. The second part comprises at least one second pression area opposite to the at least one first pression area. The at least one first pression area is configured for pressing the at least one second pression area when the device is being spiked to the cap for which it is intended. The at least one first pression area is configured for not being in contact with the at least one second pression area when an attempt is made for pulling the device from the cap. 
     Thus, the cooperation between the first and second pression areas allows easily spiking the device to the cap while not preventing the mechanical connection from breaking when an attempt is made for removing the device from the cap by pulling the first part of the device. 
     In some embodiments, the means for fixing comprise at least one screw thread configured for allowing the device to be screwed to the cap for which it is intended. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one screw thread comprises means for anchorage configured for allowing the device to be screwed to the cap for which it is intended and for preventing the second part to be unscrewed from the cap when an attempt is made for unscrewing the device from the cap. 
     In some embodiments, the first part comprises at least one first stopper and the second part comprises at least one second stopper. The at least one first stopper is configured for pushing the at least one second stopper when the device is being screwed to the cap for which it is intended. The at least one first stopper is configured for not pushing the at least one second stopper when an attempt is made for unscrewing the device from the cap. 
     Thus, the cooperation between the first and second stoppers helps the screwing of the device while preventing the mechanical connection to break during the screwing. However, the first and second stoppers do not prevent the mechanical connection to break during the unscrewing of the device. 
     In some variants the first and second stoppers are further configured for breaking for a predetermined pression between them for preventing to have a too high torsion effort that could lead to a degradation of the cap while screwing the device to the cap. 
     In some embodiments, the securing component comprises a unique identifier. 
     In some embodiments, the securing component comprises a secure element implementing means for responding to a challenge according to a challenge/response pair. The response to the challenge is unique, the challenge being received by the device through a radio frequency request. 
     Thus, the securing component is unique and cannot be duplicated. For instance, the transponder comprises a RFID tag or a Bluetooth tag. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to system comprising a cap and a device according to any of the embodiment discussed above which is fixed to the cap using the means for fixing. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to bottle comprising a device according to any of the embodiment discussed above which is fixed to a cap of the bottle using the means for fixing. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to the use of a device to any of the embodiment discussed above for securing a bottle&#39;s cap. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for securing a bottle comprising a device according to any of the embodiment discussed above which is fixed to a cap of the bottle using the means for fixing. Such method comprises:
     receiving, by the radio frequency transponder, a request sent by a terminal for a unique identifier of the device; and   sending, by the radio frequency transponder to the terminal, the unique identifier responsive to the receiving the request.   

     In some embodiments, the method comprises:
     receiving, by the radio frequency transponder, a challenge sent by the terminal, the challenge belonging to a challenge/response pair wherein the response to the challenge is unique; and   sending, by the radio frequency transponder to the terminal, the response responsive to the receiving the challenge.   

     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computer program product comprising program code instructions for implementing the above-mentioned method for securing a bottle (in any of its different embodiments), when said program is executed on a computer or a processor. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an apparatus comprising at least one processor or a dedicated computing machine configured for implementing the above-mentioned method for securing a bottle (in any of its different embodiments). Thus, the features and advantages of this apparatus are the same as those of the method for securing a bottle described above. Therefore, they are not detailed any further. 
    
    
     
       4. LIST OF FIGURES 
       Other features and advantages of embodiments shall appear from the following description, given by way of indicative and non-exhaustive examples and from the appended drawings, of which: 
         FIG. 1 a    illustrates a device for securing a bottle&#39;s cap according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 1 b    illustrates a top view of the device of  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIG. 2  illustrates a neck of a bottle comprising the device of  FIG. 1 a    fixed to a cap of the bottle; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a device for securing a bottle&#39;s cap according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the bottle of  FIG. 2  wherein the device is in communication with a terminal connected to a network according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the steps of a method for securing the bottle of  FIG. 2  in the configuration of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the structural blocks of an exemplary device that can be used for implementing the method of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In all of the figures of the present document, the same numerical reference signs designate similar elements and steps. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 a    and  1   b,  we describe a device  100  for securing a bottle&#39;s cap according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Such device  100  is further discussed when fixed to a cap  210  for which it is intended on a bottle  200  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     More particularly, the device  100  comprises a first part  110  and a second part  120  made e.g. of plastic like PET (for “polyethylene terephthalate”) or any equivalent material. 
     The second part  120  comprises means for fixing the device  100  to a cap  210  (e.g. a cork) of a bottle  200 . In the present embodiment, the means for fixing comprise one spike  121   sp  for spiking the device  100  to the cap  210  for which it is intended. The spike  121   sp  comprises means for anchorage  121   am  configured for preventing the second part  120  to be pulled off the cap  210  when an attempt is made for pulling the device from the cap  210 . 
     In other embodiments, the second part  120  comprises a plurality of such spikes  121   sp.    
     In other embodiments, the one or more spike does not comprise such means for anchorage  121   am.    
     Back to  FIGS. 1 a    and  1   b,  the first part  110  and the second part  120  are mechanically connected to each other through a mechanical connection  100   mc.  In the present embodiment, the mechanical connection  100   mc,  the first part  110  and the second part  120  are made of a same material. For instance, the mechanical connection  100   mc,  the first part  110  and the second part  120  are made as a same part, e.g. through mouldering. However, even in such particular exemplary implementation, the mechanical connection  100   mc  can be identified as a distinctive area as it takes the form of a tiny part in between the first part  110  and the second part  120  that is configured for breaking when a traction is applied to the first part  110 . More particularly, the mechanical connection  100   mc  is configured for breaking when an effort is applied to the first part  110  aimed to remove the device  100  from the cap  210 . For instance, the mechanical connection  100   mc  is configured for breaking when an attempt is made for removing the device  100  from the cap  210  by acting on the first part  110  of the device  100  while the second part  120  of the device remains fixed to the cap  210 , e.g. thanks to the means for anchorage  121   am  described above. 
     For instance, the first part  110  is the only part of the device  100  that is accessible from the exterior of the bottle  200  when the device is correctly fixed to the cap  210  using the means for fixing as illustrated e.g. in  FIG. 2 . 
     In other embodiments, the mechanical connection  100   mc  is a part distinct from the first part  110  and/or from the second part  120  as long as it is configured for breaking when an effort is applied to the first part  110  aimed to remove the device  100  from the cap  210 . 
     Back to  FIGS. 1 a    and  1   b,  the device  100  comprises a securing component  130  (depicted in dotted line in  FIGS. 1   a,    1   b,    2  and  3 ). The securing component  130  comprises a radio frequency transponder, e.g. a RFID tag or a Bluetooth tag. For instance, the securing component  130  (and thus the device  100  consequently) is associated to a unique identifier. In that case, the securing component  130  is configured for providing the unique identifier in response to a radio frequency request received by the transponder. In some implementations, the securing component  130  comprises a secure element implementing means for responding to a challenge according to a challenge/response pair wherein the response to said challenge is unique. Such secure element guarantees code and data loaded inside to be protected with respect to confidentiality (i.e. preventing sensitive information from reaching the wrong people, close to privacy) and/or integrity (i.e; maintaining the consistency, accuracy, and trustworthiness of data over its entire life cycle) and/or authenticity (i.e. determining whether someone or something is, in fact, who or what it declares) and/or availability (i.e. maintaining a correctly functioning even if under attack)). The challenge is received e.g. through a radio frequency request received by the transponder. Thus, the securing component  130  is unique and cannot be duplicated. Those aspects are further discussed below in relation with the method of  FIG. 5 . 
     Back to  FIGS. 1 a    and  1   b,  the securing component  130  comprises a first portion  131  implemented in the first part  110  of the device  100  and a second portion  132  implemented in the second part  120  of the device  100 . One portion of the securing component  130  extends through the mechanical connection  100   mc.  Consequently, the breaking of the mechanical connection  100   mc  while trying to remove the device  100  from the cap  210  by pulling on the first part  110  leads to a break of the portion of the securing component  130  that extends through the mechanical connection  100   mc.  This leads to a modification of the behavior of the securing component  130  that can be detected e.g. by interrogating the transponder. For instance, the transponder can be configured for answering a predetermined response to a request when the securing component  130  detects that the portion in question is broken. Alternatively, the transponder may not answer to such request e.g. when the securing component  130  or the transponder itself is out of order following the break of the portion in question. This can be the case for instance if the portion of the securing component  130  extending through the mechanical connection  100   mc  is all or part of the antenna of the transponder. Whatever the implementation, such modification of the behavior of the securing component  130  is representative of an attempt of access to the cap  210 , and thus to the content of the bottle  200  at the end. The use of such device  100  thus allows securing the bottle  200  and its content. 
     Back to  FIGS. 1 a    and  1   b,  the first part  110  comprises one first pression area  110   pa.  The second part  120  comprises one second pression area  120   pa  opposite to the first pression area  110   pa.  More particularly, the first pression area  110   pa  is configured for pressing the second pression area  120   pa  when the device  100  is being spiked to the cap  210  for which it is intended, e.g. thanks to the deformation capability of the material the device  100  is made of. The first pression area  110   pa  is further configured for not being in contact with the second pression area  120   pa  when an attempt is made for pulling the device  100  from the cap  210  by acting on the first part  110 . Accordingly, the cooperation between the first pression area  110   pa  and the second pression area  120   pa  allows easily spiking the device  100  to the cap  210  while not preventing the mechanical connection  100   mc  from breaking when an attempt is made for removing the device  100  from the cap  210  by pulling the first part  110  of the device  100 . 
     In other embodiments, the first part  110  comprises a plurality of such first pression areas  110   pa  and the second part  120  comprises a plurality of corresponding second pression areas  120   pa.    
     In other embodiments, the first part  110  does not comprise such one or more first pression areas  110   pa  and the second part  120  does not comprise such corresponding one or more second pression areas  120   pa.    
     Back to  FIGS. 1 a    and  1   b,  the first part  110  comprises a plurality of grooves  110   gv  located on a surface of the first part  110  configured for being opposite to the cap  210  for which it is intended when the device  100  is fixed to the cap  210 . More particularly, the grooves  110   gv  extend from the exterior of the device  100  for allowing air to pass up to the cap  210  as can be understood referring to  FIG. 2  for instance. Thus, the content of the bottle  200  may remain in contact with fresh air even when the device  100  is fixed to the cap  210 , as required e.g. for maturating wines in a corked bottle. 
     In other embodiments, the first part  110  comprise only one such groove  110   gv.    
     In other embodiments, the first part  110  does not comprise such one or more groove  110   gv.    
     In other embodiments, the first part  110  comprises one (or more) opening allowing the air to circulate below the first part  110 , i.e. for reaching the cap  210 . The one (or more) opening has an orientation substantially parallel to the first part  110 . More particularly, the angle between an opening direction and a surface of the first part  110  that is parallel to the cap  210  remains low enough for having a needle introduced through such opening that cannot reach the content of the bottle  200 , even by going through the cap  210 . Depending on the configuration of the device  100  and of the cap  210 , such angle may be for instance up to 45 degrees. 
     In some embodiments, the first part  110  is configured for covering the cap  210  for which the device  100  is intended as illustrated for instance in  FIG. 2 . Thus, the first part  110  prevents from accessing to the content of the bottle  200  using e.g. a needle through the cap  210 . For instance, the first part  110  has a cylindrical shape with a diameter in the range of 18 mm up to 28 mm for covering the cap, e.g. a cork, disposed at the free end of the neck of most standard wine bottles. 
     In some embodiments, the first portion  131  of the securing component  130  substantially spreads all over the first part  110 . For that purpose, the securing component  130  comprises one (or more) element extending substantially all over the first part  110 . For instance, such element is configured for substantially covering the cap  210  for which the device  100  is intended. Such element is further configured for being damaged when an attempt is made for perforating the first part  110  for accessing to the cap  210 . For example, such element may be an antenna of the transponder (e.g. a spiral antenna as illustrated in  FIG. 1 b   ) so that the transponder is no more functional when the antenna is perforated. Such element may also be a secure mesh and the electronic circuitry of the securing component  130  is configured for detecting that a perforation has occurred e.g. by measuring the impedance of the mesh, or by detecting an open circuit. Thus, the securing component  130  is able to detect an attempt to access to the content of the bottle  200  using e.g. a needle through the cap  210 . The securing component  130  may be configured for reporting such attempt under request. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , we describe a device  100  for securing a bottle&#39;s cap according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     More particularly, the embodiment of  FIG. 3  differs from the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b    in the nature of the means for fixing. However, the other features of the device  100  discussed above in relation with  FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b    (in any of the embodiments discussed above) can be implemented equally in the present embodiment. 
     Back to  FIG. 3 , the means for fixing comprise one screw thread  121   sc  configured for allowing the device  100  to be screwed to the cap  210  for which it is intended. 
     In other embodiments, the second part  120  comprises a plurality of such screw thread  121   sc.    
     In some embodiments, the one (or more) screw thread  121   sc  comprises means for anchorage configured for allowing the device  100  to be screwed to the cap  210  but for preventing the second part  120  to be unscrewed from the cap  210  when an attempt is made for unscrewing the device  100  from the cap  210 . 
     In some embodiments, the one (or more) screw thread  121   sc  does not comprise such means for anchorage. 
     Back to  FIG. 3 , the first part  110  comprises two first stoppers  110   st.  The second part  120  comprises two corresponding second stoppers  120   st.  The two first stoppers  110   st  are configured for pushing the two second stoppers  120   st  when the device  100  is being screwed to the cap  210  by acting on the first part  110 . The two first stoppers  110   st  are further configured for not pushing the two second stoppers  120   st  when an attempt is made for unscrewing the device  100  from the cap  210  by acting on the first part  110 . 
     Thus, the cooperation between the first stoppers  110   st  and the second stoppers  120   st  helps the screwing of the device  100  while preventing the mechanical connection  100   mc  to break during such screwing. However, the first stoppers  110   st  and the second stoppers  120   st  do not prevent the mechanical connection  100   mc  to break during the unscrewing of the device  100  by acting on the first part  110 . 
     In some embodiments, the first stoppers  110   st  and the second stoppers  120   st  are further configured for breaking for a predetermined pression between them for preventing to have a too high torsion effort that could lead to a degradation of the cap  210 , e.g. a cork,  210  while screwing the device  100  to the cap  210 . 
     In some embodiments, the device  100  does not comprise such first stoppers  110   st  and second stoppers  120   st.    
     In the embodiments of  FIGS. 1   a,    1   b  and  3 , particular means for fixing are considered, i.e. means for spiking the device  100  to the cap  210  and means for screwing the device  100  to the cap  210 . However, other means for fixing may be considered in other embodiments. for instance, the second part  210  may comprise a surface (e.g. a planar surface) allowing the device  100  to be glued to a corresponding surface of the cap  210 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , we describe a configuration wherein the bottle  200  with the device  100  fixed to the cap  210  is in communication with a terminal  400  connected to a server  430  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     More particularly, the terminal  400  (e.g. a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, etc.) is configured for wirelessly communicating with the radio frequency transponder of the securing component  130  (e.g. through a Bluetooth protocol, a near field communication, hereafter NFC, protocol, etc.). 
     The terminal  400  is further configured for communicating with a server  430  that stores e.g. information relating to devices implemented in different bottles and/or information relating to the bottles and their contents. In the present embodiment, the communication between the terminal  400  and the server  430  goes wirelessly through the base station  410  and the core network  420 . For instance, the base station  410  and the core network  420  belong to a cellular network (e.g. a 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G network). In other embodiments, the communication between the terminal  400  and the server  430  goes through a wired network. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , we describe the steps of a method for securing the bottle  200  in the configuration of  FIG. 4  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Depending on the considered implementation, the terminal  400  runs an application for implementing the steps of the method detailed below. Alternatively, the terminal  400  may receive an application information (e.g. a Uniform Resource Locator, hereafter URL) from the device  100  responsive to a request sent to the radio frequency transponder. Based on the application information, the terminal  400  may download the application or launch the application that runs remotely, e.g. on the server  430 . 
     Back to  FIG. 5 , in a step S 500 , the device  100  (in any of the embodiments discussed above) receives, through its radio frequency transponder, a request sent by the terminal  400  for a unique identifier of the device  100 . Responsive to the request, the device  100  provides, through its radio frequency transponder, the unique identifier to the terminal  400 . 
     If no response is received by the terminal  400 , it may be understood that the portion of the securing component  130  extending through the mechanical connection  100   mc  is broken (e.g. leading to having the securing component  130  or the transponder itself out of order following the break of the portion in question) and thus that there has been an attempt of accessing to the cap  210 , and thus to the content of the bottle  200 . 
     Alternatively, the device  100  may provide, in place of the unique identifier or in addition to the unique identifier, a predetermined response to the request when the securing component  130  detects that the portion in question is broken. In that case, it can also be understood that that there has been an attempt of accessing to the cap  210 , and thus to the content of the bottle  200 . 
     Back to  FIG. 5 , in a step S 510 , the device  100  receives, through its radio frequency transponder, a challenge sent by the terminal  400 . Such challenge belongs to a challenge/response pair wherein the response to the challenge is unique. Responsive to the request, the device  100  provides, through its radio frequency transponder, the response to the terminal  400 . In that perspective, the securing component  130  may comprise a secure element implementing means for responding to the challenge as discussed above in relation with  FIGS. 1 a    and  1   b.    
     The correct response to the challenge proves the device  100  is original and has not been tampered, neither the bottle  200  has been tampered. A wrong response to the challenge proves the device  100  is not genuine and the bottle  200  may be counterfeit. 
     In some embodiments, the challenge is provided by the server  430  to the terminal  400  that forwards the challenge to the device  100 . The terminal  400  thus forwards the response to the server  430 . 
     In some embodiments, the step S 510  is not implemented. 
     Back to  FIG. 5 , in a step S 520 , additional information is entered into the terminal  400 , e.g. the serial number of the bottle  200  or of the label. Such additional information may be entered e.g. by a user of the terminal  400  that reads the corresponding information on the bottle  200 . 
     The terminal  400  thus implements an authenticity confirmation for higher level security check based on the additional information. 
     In some embodiments, the terminal  400  forwards the additional information to the server  430  that implements the authenticity confirmation for higher level security check based on the additional information. 
     In some implementations, the terminal  400  supplements the additional information with geolocation information. Such geolocation information may be obtained for instance through a satellite positioning system device (e.g. of the GPS, Galileo, Beidou or Glonass type) embedded in the terminal  400  and/or in the device  100 . The application in the terminal  400  may be able to collect the geolocation of the device  100  in addition to the unique identifier and/or the response to the challenge. The terminal is configured for raising a flag if the same unique identifier and/or the response to the challenge is provided by devices  100  in different places around the world at a near time (e.g. based on the time of the considered request for the unique identifier and/or for the response to the challenge) raising issues about uniqueness of the corresponding devices  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the terminal  400  forwards the supplemented additional information to the server  430  that implements the checking that the same unique identifier and/or the response to the challenge is provided by devices  100  in different places around the world at a near time. 
     In some embodiments, the step S 520  is not implemented. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , we illustrate the structural blocks of an exemplary device or apparatus  600  that can be used for implementing all or part of the steps of the method for securing a bottle according to the disclosure (according to any of the embodiments disclosed above). 
     In an embodiment, a device  600  comprises a non-volatile memory  603  (e.g. a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk, a flash memory, etc.), a volatile memory  601  (e.g. a random-access memory or RAM) and a processor  602 . The non-volatile memory  603  is a non-transitory computer-readable carrier medium. It stores executable program code instructions, which are executed by the processor  602  in order to enable implementation of all or part of the steps of the method described above (method for securing a bottle) in the various embodiment disclosed in relationship with  FIG. 5 . 
     Upon initialization, the aforementioned program code instructions are transferred from the non-volatile memory  603  to the volatile memory  601  so as to be executed by the processor  602 . The volatile memory  601  likewise includes registers for storing the variables and parameters required for this execution. 
     All the steps of the method for securing a bottle according to the disclosure may be implemented equally well: 
     by the execution of a set of program code instructions executed by a reprogrammable computing machine such as a PC type apparatus, a DSP (digital signal processor) or a microcontroller. This program code instructions can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable carrier medium that is detachable (for example a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a USB key) or non-detachable; or 
     by a dedicated machine or component, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) or any dedicated hardware component. 
     In other words, the disclosure is not limited to a purely software-based implementation, in the form of computer program instructions, but that it may also be implemented in hardware form or any form combining a hardware portion and a software portion. 
     In some embodiments, the device  100  comprises the device  600 . 
     In some embodiments, the terminal  400  comprises the device  600 . 
     In some embodiments, the server  430  comprises the device  600 .