Tamper evident check valve apparatus for use in a beverage bottle and method of use

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for preventing the adulteration or substitution of beverages such as premium liquors disposed in bottles having a neck. The apparatus preferably comprises the use of a check valve which is protected from manipulation or tampering by screens and / or by lodging the apparatus loosely in the neck of the bottle so that tampering will result in its being dislodged and falling into the beverage bottle and / or by the use of a frangible reservoir containing a harmless dye to discolor the beverage in the event of tampering. The invention also contemplates the method of preventing the adulteration or substitution of beverages including the steps manufacturing the apparatus, filling the beverage bottle with the beverage, inserting the apparatus to prevent adulteration or substitution in the neck of the bottle, closing the bottle, disposing external indicia on the bottle to call the consumer's attention to the protective apparatus, and publicity associated with educating the public concerning same.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of Invention [0002] The present invention relates to the field of beverage containers and the protection of their contents from adulteration or substitution. More specifically it concerns the use of a check valve intended to be placed in such containers as liquor bottles preferably disposed in the neck of the bottle after the bottle has been filled with liquor and before it is capped. Also contemplated is the method of use. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] It is well known that premium name brand liquors are sold to bars, restaurants and the general public usually in glass bottles. Bars and restaurants customarily charge a higher price for drinks made with premium brand liquors commonly referred to as “call brands.”[0005] One problem with this is that some unethical retail establishments take empty premium brand liquor bottles and surreptitiously refill them with inferior, cheaper product for which they can charge premium bran...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] It is a related principal object of the invention to dispose said apparatus in the neck of a bottle in a manner that it will become easily dislodged and fall out of the neck of the bottle into it if it is the object of any tampering.

[0012] Another principal object of the invention is to employ a check valve as a device to prevent adulteration or substitution of the beverage.

[0013] A further object of the invention is to employ a simple flapper valve as the check valve preventing adulteration or substitution of the beverage.

[0014] An additional object of the invention is to dispose the check valve beneath one or more screens to prevent external manipulation of the check valve.

[0018] In accordance with a principal aspect of the present invention, there is provided a apparatus to prevent adulteration or substitution of a beverage in a bottle which is disposed in the neck of the bottle and includes a second apparatus to make tampering evident to a consumer. Said apparatus will preferably be comprised of a check valve such as a flapper valve which allows the beverage to be readily poured through the apparatus and out the neck of the bottle but prevents addition of any beverage to the bottle. It will further be comprised of one or more screens to prevent external manipulation of the check valve and provide evidence of tampering. Alternatively, the apparatus to prevent adulteration or substitution will be equipped with a frangible reservoir containing dye which will be readily apparently in the event of tampering to discolor the beverage and provide evidence to the consumer of tampering.

Problems solved by technology

One problem with this is that some unethical retail establishments take empty premium brand liquor bottles and surreptitiously refill them with inferior, cheaper product for which they can charge premium brand prices because the consumer erroneously believes that his or her drink is being poured from a premium brand liquor bottle.

This subterfuge is usually effective because the consumer may not be discriminating enough to taste the difference, especially after the first alcoholic beverage has been consumed, and there is no way that the consumer can prove what has occurred even if he or she is sufficiently discriminating to notice the difference.

Images