A system for preventing spiking of drinks

Abstract

A system for preventing drugging / spiking, which system includes: a glass having a longitudinal axis, an upper drinking opening, a bottom and inner and outer side, which glass comprises an upper part which is shaped with an inner side that slope so that the upper part of the glass tapers internally towards the bottom of the glass. An insert part with an upper side and a lower side, which insert part comprises a sealing surface surrounded by a wall extending essentially perpendicular to the sealing surface, the wall is adapted to the slopped inner side of the glass such that the insert part locks to the upper part of the glass when the insert part is guided down into the glass with its sealing surface lying essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the glass, characterized in that the wall and the sealing surface of the insert forms a drug-barrier in the upper part of the glass when the insert part is inserted lockingly in the upper part of the glass, said barrier being open at the top and deep enough to contain a quantum of drugs. Fig. 1 to be published on the front page.

Description

[0001] A SYSTEM FOR PREVENTING SPIKING OF DRINKS.

[0002] The invention relates to a system for preventing drugging / spiking, which system includes: a glass having a longitudinal axis, an upper drinking opening, a bottom and inner and outer side, which glass comprises an upper part which is shaped with inner sides that slope so that the upper part of the glass tapers internally towards the bottom of the glass; an insert part with an upper side and a lower side, which insert part comprises a sealing surface surrounded by a wall extending essentially perpendicular to the sealing surface, the wall is adapted to the slanted inner sides of the glass such that the insert part locks to the upper part of the glass when the insert part is guided down into the glass with its sealing surface lying essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the glass,

[0003] Drink spiking is when someone puts drugs or alcohol into a drink without anyone noticing. The drugs used are mind-altering substance.

[0004] So-called 'date rape drugs' may be used to spike a drink before a sexual assault. They are the most common drugs used to spike drinks. Date rape drugs can come in powder or liquid form. They may not have an unusual taste or smell. There are many reasons why someone might spike a drink. The most common reasons are: to carry out a sexual assault or rape; to carry out a physical assault; to carry out a theft; for amusement. Drink spiking does not only target females. Anyone can be targeted.

[0005] It is an object of the invention to minimize or solve one of these or another problem associated with prior art technology.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to make an alternative solution.

[0007] This is achieved in that the wall and the sealing surface of the insert part forms a drug-barrier in the upper part of the glass when the insert part is inserted lockingly in the upper part of the glass, said barrier being open at the top and deep enough to contain a quantum of drugs.

[0008] Since the insert part is designed with walls that are perpendicular to the sealing surface of the insert part and the wall is situated along the periphery of the insert part, the insert part will wedge firmly in a mutually adapted conical glass when the insert part is inserted into the glass with the sealing surface of the insert part lying perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the glass. Thereby, the insert part will act as an effective - bowl-like - barrier that prevents drugs from getting into the contents of the glass.

[0009] In an embodiment, the insert part is shaped as a bowl with a planar bottom. An insert part with a flat / planar bottom is a strong construction and in terms of production it is uncomplicated to make by injection molding.

[0010] In an embodiment, the insert part is disc shaped. A disk-shaped insert part will be fixable to round and conical glasses of slightly different sizes as the same insert part will be fixed higher or lower in the glass depending on the shape and diameter of the glass.

[0011] In an embodiment, the wall is adapted to the inner side(s) of the glass such that one or more areas of the wall borders the inner side (s) of the glass and one or more areas of the wall sits at a distance from the inner side (s) thereby allowing liquid to flow between the one or more of the walls - situated at a distance from the glass's inner side (s) - and the inner side of the glass, when the insert part is inserted lockingly in the upper part of the glass. By mutually adapting the glass and the insert part so that some of the wall of the insert part abuts sealingly against the glass sides while other parts of the wall of the insert part are placed at a distance from the glass side, it is achieved that the contents of the glass can pass past the insert part in the areas where there is distance between glass and insert part. Thus, a user can drink the contents of the glass as it passes through these openings between the glass and the insert part when / if the glass is poured. By adjusting the distance between the glass and the wall - in the areas where there is a distance between them - to a minimum that still allows liquid to pass, a very safe system is achieved, where it is very difficult to add drugs to the contents of the glass while it is still possible to drink the contents of the glass.

[0012] In an embodiment, one or more areas that sits at a distance from the inner side is equipped with one or more supporting ribs extending essentially perpendicular to the sealing surface, said support ribs being adapted so that they, when the insert part is inserted lockingly in the upper part of the glass, lie supportively against the inside of the glass thereby preventing soft glass from collapsing sealingly against the insert parts one or more distanced area (s). When insert parts are used in soft glasses made of e.g. cardboard, the contents of the glass can deform the glass. This is potentially a disadvantage when glass and insert parts are mutually adapted so that liquid can pass in the narrow areas between an insert part and glass because in these situations the contents of the glass can sometimes deform the glass sufficiently that these areas are simply blocked (filled) by deformed glass (cardboard). By providing the insert part with glass- supporting ribs in the areas where the insert part is designed to create room / space for liquid to pass between glass and insert part, this is prevented.

[0013] In an embodiment, the wall of the insert part is made sloping so that the wall tapers towards the insert parts lower side 17 (the lower side 17 is shown in fig. 3). When the insert part is made with cone-shaped walls that taper towards its lower side, a very strong joint will form between the insert part and a thereto corresponding / adapted cone-shaped / tapered glass.

[0014] In an embodiment, the upper side of the insert part's sealing surface is provided with a breakable pin adapted such:

[0015] • that the pin, until broken, forms a tight seal with the sealing surface;

[0016] • that the pin, when broken, forms a hole - suitable for insertion of a drinking straw - in the sealing surface.

[0017] In this embodiment of the invention, the pin is adapted so that, after breaking, it forms a hole suitable for inserting a straw. Thereby it has been achieved that the insert part can both be used as a barrier for drugs, while at the same time it enables, that the contents may be consumed safely via a straw.

[0018] In an embodiment, the insert part and glass are mutually adapted so that the insert parts wall sits flush with the upper edge of the glass when the insert part is inserted lockingly in the upper part of the glass. This is an aesthetically attractive solution and it enables easy insertion and removal of the insert part from the glass

[0019] In an embodiment, the insert part is made from biodegradable materials.

[0020] In an embodiment, the pin - after the formation of the hole suitable for inserting a straw - remains connected to the sealing surface. This prevents contamination with broken off pins that are dropped or thrown in unintended places.

[0021] In this application the words disc-shaped mean that is having an essentially circular shape.

[0022] An embodiment of the invention will now be described in greater details with reference to the figures in which: Fig 1 shows in perspective a system according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0023] Fig 2 shows in perspective the upper side of an insert part according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0024] Fig 3 shows in perspective the lower side of an insert part according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Fig 4 shows in perspective a system comprising a broken pin according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0026] Drink spiking is when someone puts drugs or alcohol into a drink without anyone noticing. The drugs used are mind-altering substance.

[0027] So-called 'date rape drugs' may be used to spike a drink before a sexual assault. They are the most common drugs used to spike drinks. Date rape drugs can come in powder or liquid form. They may not have an unusual taste or smell. There are many reasons why someone might spike a drink. The most common reasons are: to carry out a sexual assault or rape; to carry out a physical assault; to carry out a theft; for amusement. Drink spiking does not only target females. Anyone can be targeted.

[0028] In figure 1 is shown - in perspective - a system 1 for preventing drugging / spiking. The system comprises a glass 2 having a longitudinal center axis, an upper drinking opening 3, a bottom 4 and inner and outer side. The glass comprises an upper part which is shaped with an inner side that slope so that the upper part of the glass tapers internally towards the bottom of the glass;

[0029] An insert part 10 is placed in the upper part of the glass 2. The insert part 3 comprises a sealing surface 12 surrounded by a wall 11 extending essentially perpendicular to the sealing surface. The wall is adapted to the slopped inner side of the glass such that the insert part locks to the upper part of the glass when the insert part is guided down into the glass with its sealing surface lying essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the glass. The wall 11 and the sealing surface 12 of the insert part 10 forms a bowl shaped drug-barrier in the upper part of the glass when the insert part is inserted lockingly. The barrier is having a bowl-like shape being open at the top and deep enough to contain a quantum of drugs. Since the insert part 10 is designed with walls that are essentially perpendicular to the sealing surface 12 of the insert part and situated along the periphery of the insert part, the insert part will wedge firmly in a thereto adapted conical glass when the insert part is inserted into the glass with the sealing surface of the insert part lying perpendicular to the longitudinal axis C of the glass. Thereby, the insert part will act as an effective - bowl-like - barrier that prevents drugs from getting into the contents of the glass.

[0030] In the embodiments shown in the figures the insert part is shaped as a bowl with an essentially planar bottom 12. An insert part with a flat / planar bottom is a strong construction and in terms of production it is uncomplicated to make by injection molding.

[0031] In an embodiment, the insert part is disc shaped. A disk-shaped insert part will be fixable to round and conical glasses of slightly different sizes as the same insert part will be fixed higher or lower in the glass depending on the shape and diameter of the glass.

[0032] In figure 2 an embodiment of an insert part 10 is shown in greater details. In the shown embodiment, the wall is adapted to the inner side(s) of the glass such that one or more areas of the wall borders the inner side (s) of the glass and one or more areas 1 la, 1 lb, 11c, 1 Id of the wall sits at a distance from the inner side (s) thereby allowing liquid to flow between the one or more of the walls distanced area (s) and the inner side of the glass sides, when the insert part is inserted lockingly in the upper part of the glass. By mutually adapting the glass and the insert part so that some of the wall of the insert part abuts sealingly against the glass sides while other parts of the wall of the insert part are placed at a distance from the glass side, it is achieved that the contents of the glass can pass past the insert part in these areas where there is distance between glass and insert part. Thus, a user can drink the contents of the glass as it passes through these openings between the glass and the insert part when the glass is poured. By adjusting the distance between the glass and the wall - in the areas where there is a distance between them - to a minimum, (preferably below 5 mm) that still allows liquid to pass, a very safe system is achieved, where it is very difficult to add drugs to the contents of the glass while it is still possible to drink the contents of the glass.

[0033] In the shown embodiment, one or more areas that sits at a distance from the inner side is equipped with supporting ribs 14, 15, 16 extending essentially perpendicular to the sealing surface, said support ribs being adapted so that they, when the insert part is inserted lockingly in the upper part of the glass, lie supportively against the inside of the glass thereby preventing soft glass from collapsing sealingly against the insert parts one or more distanced area (s). When insert parts are used in soft glasses made of e.g. cardboard, the contents of the glass can deform the glass. This is potentially a disadvantage when glass and insert parts are mutually adapted so that liquid can pass in the narrow areas between an insert part and glass because in these situations the contents of the glass can sometimes deform the glass sufficiently that these areas are simply blocked (filled) by deformed glass (cardboard). By providing the insert part with glass-supporting ribs in the areas where the insert part is designed to create room / space for liquid to pass between glass and insert part, this is prevented.

[0034] In the shown in figures , the wall 11 of the insert part is made sloping so that the wall tapers towards the insert parts lower side (seen in figure 3) . When the insert part is made with cone- shaped walls that taper towards its lower side, a very strong joint will form between the insert part and a corresponding cone-shaped / tapered glass.

[0035] In the shown embodiments, the upper side of the insert part's sealing surface is provided with a breakable pin 20 adapted such:

[0036] • that the pin, until broken, forms a tight seal with the sealing surface;

[0037] • that the pin, when broken, forms a hole - suitable for insertion of a drinking straw - in the sealing surface.

[0038] In figure 3 is shown the insert part seen from it underside.

[0039] In this embodiment of the invention, the pin is adapted so that, after breaking, it forms a hole 21 suitable for inserting a straw. Thereby it has been achieved that the insert part can both be used as a barrier for drugs, while at the same time it enables, that the contents may be consumed safely via a straw.

[0040] In a not shown embodiment, the insert part and glass may be mutually adapted so that the insert parts wall sits flush with the upper edge of the glass when the insert part is inserted lockingly in the upper part of the glass. This is an aesthetically attractive solution and it enables easy insertion and removal of the insert part from the glass

[0041] In an embodiment, the insert part is made from biodegradable materials.

[0042] In figure 4 is shown an embodiment of the invention where the pin - after the formation of the hole 21 suitable for inserting a straw - remains connected to the sealing surface 12. This prevents contamination with broken off pins that are dropped or thrown in unintended places. Normally the insert part is made so that it can be easily inserted and removed from the glass repeatedly and it is also usually made so that it can be used successively in several glasses.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for preventing drugging / spiking, which system comprises:• a glass having a longitudinal axis, an upper drinking opening, a bottom and inner and outer side, which glass comprises an upper part which is shaped with an inner side that slope so that the upper part of the glass tapers internally towards the bottom of the glass;• an insert part with an upper side and a lower side, which insert part comprises a sealing surface surrounded by a wall extending essentially perpendicular to the sealing surface, the wall is adapted to the slopped inner side of the glass such that the insert part locks to the upper part of the glass when the insert part is guided down into the glass with its sealing surface lying essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the glass, characterized in that the wall and the sealing surface of the insert part forms a drug-barrier in the upper part of the glass when the insert part is inserted lockingly in the upper part of the glass, said barrier being open at the top and deep enough to contain a quantum of drugs.

2. A system for preventing drugging / spiking according to claim 1, wherein the insert part is shaped as a bowl with a planar bottom.

3. A system for preventing drugging / spiking according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the insert part is disc shaped.

4. A system for preventing drugging / spiking according to any of the claims 1-3, wherein, the wall is adapted to the inner side(s) of the glass such that one or more areas of the wall borders the inner side (s) of the glass and one or more areas of the wall sits at a distance from the inner side (s) thereby allowing liquid to flow between the one or more of the walls distanced area (s) and the inner side of the glass sides, when the insert part is inserted lockingly in the upper part of the glass.

5. A system for preventing drugging / spiking according to claim 4, wherein, one or more areas that sits at a distance from the inner side is equipped with one or more supporting ribs extending essentially perpendicular to the sealing surface, said support ribs being adapted so that they, when the insert part is inserted lockingly in the upper part of theglass, lie supportively against the inside of the glass thereby preventing soft glass from collapsing sealingly against the insert parts one or more distanced area (s).

6. A system for preventing drugging / spiking according to any of the claims 1-5, wherein, the wall of the insert part is made sloping so that the wall tapers towards the insert parts lower side7. A system for preventing drugging / spiking according to any of the claims 1-6, wherein, the upper side of the insert part's sealing surface is provided with a breakable pin adapted such:• that the pin forms a fluid tight seal together with the sealing surface until broken;• that the pin, when broken, forms a hole suitable for inserting a drinking straw.

8. A system for preventing drugging / spiking according to any of the claims 1-7, wherein, the insert part and glass are mutually adapted so that the insert parts wall sits flush with the upper edge of the glass when the insert part is inserted lockingly in the upper part of the glass.

9. A system for preventing drugging / spiking according to any of the claims 1-8, wherein, the insert part is made from biodegradable materials.

10. A system for preventing drugging / spiking according to any of the claims 7-9, wherein, the pin - after the formation of the hole suitable for inserting a straw - remains connected to the sealing surface.

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