Closure mechanism for preventing refill

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure mechanism, which prevents any content from reentering a bottle once the original contents of the bottle have been discharged, further prevents the penetration of an insertion piece such as a wire, etc. along the closure mechanism to enable the closure mechanism to achieve the function of preventing the refill, and comprises at least one valve (30), the valve (30) having a bowl (31) that, by fitting on a dispense opening (50.2) upon the content filling in the bowl (31) during an attempt of refill, prevents the content from entering the bottle.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] CLOSURE MECHANISM FOR PREVENTING REFILL

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The invention relates to a closure mechanism, which prevents any content from reentering a bottle once the original contents of the bottle have been discharged.

[0005] More specifically, the present invention relates to a closure mechanism with a valve for preventing the refill, which valve prevents the penetration of an insertion piece such as a wire, etc. along the closure mechanism in order to enable the closure mechanism to achieve the function of preventing the refill.

[0006] State of the Art

[0007] The expensive beverages are generally the custom-made contents that are hand-picked. However, the alteration of the original contents of these valuable beverages or the exposure of the same to counterfeiting poses a serious problem, which could adversely affect both brands and the consumers. Therefore, the systems for preventing the refill have great importance in the industry dedicated to expensive contents / beverages (e.g., liquors).

[0008] The expensive beverage brands have gained recognition through the years for their quality and unique flavor. However, the low-cost counterfeits of the beverages could destroy the credibility of the genuine brands. The systems for preventing the refill improve the value and the credibility of a brand by protecting the authenticity of a beverage. The alteration of the original content reduces the quality of a beverage and places the health of the consumers in jeopardy. The systems for preventing the refill preserve a beverage in a state where the container of the same has not been opened and provide assurance to the consumers that the product is being consumed in a safe manner. On the other hand, launching counterfeit beverages and the altered contents to the market may cause significant economic loss for the industry. The loss of reputation of the brands, the legal disputes, and the loss of trust on the part of the consumers lead to great losses on the industrywide scale.

[0009] A consumer who spends too much money to buy high-quality products such as valuable beverages will want to know whether he / she is using the original contents. For this reason, it is desirable to prevent the bottles, which contain relatively expensive content like alcoholic drinks and liquors, from being refilled with another content that is not genuine. As a conventional method, a ball member is used in order to prevent the refill. However, some unauthorized persons may disable the ball member by using an insertion piece such as a wire, etc. Accordingly, there is a need for a solution, which, by preventing the penetration of an insertion piece such as a wire, etc. along with the closure mechanism, allows the ball member to serve its function of preventing the refill.

[0010] EP2769927B1 discloses a closure mechanism, which prevents a cap from rotating back to the position where it was originally located prior to the first opening. Here, when a cap is opened for the first time, the abutment arms are released from their compressed (stretched) positions and are radially bent towards the interior of the cap to abut the abutment groove in the form of a ring. In this way, the cap is prevented from being fully re-closed after the first opening.

[0011] US818312A discloses a closure mechanism with a member for preventing the refill that consists of two pieces. It becomes possible to fill a bottle, which has the closure mechanism, along the top of a ball member that falls into a recess when the bottle is held in the horizontal position. Moreover, since the closure mechanism is located inside the neck of the bottle, it may be easily pulled out and removed.

[0012] US4217988A discloses a closure mechanism without any member for preventing the refill of a bottle. Here, since the cap is positioned inside the neck of the bottle, it may be easily pulled out and removed. Because there is not any present mechanism for holding a ball member on the same axis, the ball member may fall into a recess. Thus, it becomes possible to fill the bottle along the top of the ball member.

[0013] EP1981774B1 discloses a bottle closure device of the type consisting of a cap with an upper part and a side part; a pouring portion suitable for being fitted to the cap and for being attached to a neck of a bottle; and a closure sleeve separated into an upper part and a lower part brought together along a predetermined separation line.

[0014] WO2020139242A1 discloses a closure mechanism, which provides an end consumer with a first opening guarantee by allowing the circumferential projections on a flat top portion of a cap to deform permanently a top surface of a plastic upper sleeve portion after a first unauthorized reclosing attempt of the closure mechanism. The mechanism allows the permanent deformation on the top surface of the plastic outer sleeve during the first unauthorized re-closing attempt, thanks to the reduced top wall thickness of the present plastic outer sleeve through the trajectory where the circumferential projections on the flat top portion of the cap coincide. Here, it is aimed to detect an unauthorized attempt owing to a permanent state of deformation that occurs. Consequently, the need for a solution, which, by preventing the penetration of an insertion piece such as a wire, etc. along with a closure mechanism, allows the closure mechanism to serve its function of preventing the refill, has resulted in the emergence of the solution according to the present invention.

[0015] Object and Brief Description of the Invention

[0016] An object of the present invention is to provide a closure mechanism, which prevents any content from re-entering a bottle once the original contents of the bottle have been discharged.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a valve structure for preventing the refill, which valve structure prevents the penetration of an insertion piece such as a wire, etc. along with a closure mechanism to enable the closure mechanism to achieve the function of preventing the refill.

[0018] A closure mechanism comprising at least one lower sleeve, which is positioned on a bottle neck and which comprises at least one dispense opening where content inside a bottle passes; at least one pourer surrounding the bottle neck and the lower sleeve; and an inner cap fitting in upper part of the pourer, wherein in order to prevent the bottle from being refilled by an unauthorized person with another content that is of a poorer quality than original content of the bottle, the closure mechanism further comprises

[0019] • at least one valve positioned between the pourer and the lower sleeve, comprising a bowl, which extends horizontally from lower part of the valve and which, by fitting on the dispense opening upon the content filling in the bowl during an attempt of refill, prevents the content from entering the bottle.

[0020] The invention relates to a closure mechanism, which prevents any content from reentering a bottle once the original contents of the bottle have been discharged and which further prevents the penetration of an insertion piece such as a wire, etc. along the closure mechanism to enable the closure mechanism to achieve the function of preventing the refill.

[0021] Brief Description of the Figures

[0022] Figure-1 An angular front sectional perspective view of the closure mechanism

[0023] Figure-2 Another angular front sectional perspective view of the closure mechanism

[0024] Figure-3 An angular front sectional exploded perspective view of the closure mechanism

[0025] Figure-4a A front sectional view of the valve Figure-4b A side perspective view of the valve

[0026] Figure-5a A top view of the valve

[0027] Figure-5b A bottom view of the valve

[0028] Figure-6 A side sectional view of the state in which the valve blocks the dispense opening

[0029] Figure-7 A side sectional view of the state in which the valve moves upward to permit the exit of the original content through the dispense opening

[0030] Figure-8 Another angular side sectional exploded view of the closure mechanism

[0031] Figure-9 A side sectional view illustrating the state in which the valve moves upward to permit the exit of the original content through the dispense opening and the direction correspondingly followed by the original content

[0032] Reference Numerals

[0033] 10 Outer sleeve

[0034] 20 Inner cap

[0035] 20.1 Pin

[0036] 30 Valve

[0037] 31 Bowl

[0038] 31.1 First bowl

[0039] 31.2 Second bowl

[0040] 32 Pin housing

[0041] 33 First rib

[0042] 34 Valve seat

[0043] 40 Pourer

[0044] 40.1 Pin hole

[0045] 50 Lower sleeve

[0046] 50.1 Projection

[0047] 50.2 Dispense opening

[0048] 50.3 Second rib

[0049] 60 Bottle neck

[0050] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0051] The invention relates to a closure mechanism, which prevents any content from reentering a bottle once the original contents of the bottle have been discharged. In the conventional closure mechanisms, a ball member is used in order to prevent the refill of the bottle. However, since the ball member may be easily disabled by lifting up the same by means of an insertion piece such as a wire, plastic clamp, etc., it may become possible to refill the bottle. Present invention generally comprises the structures of at least one outer sleeve (10), at least one inner cap (20), at least one valve (30), at least one pourer (40), and at least one lower sleeve (50). The inner cap (20) has at least one pin (20.1 ). The valve (30) has the structures of at least one bowl (31 ), at least one pin housing (32), at least one first rib (33), and at least one valve seat (34). The bowl (31 ) has the structures of at least one first bowl (31.1 ) and at least one second bowl (31.2) being a continuation of the first bowl (31.1 ). The pourer (40) has at least one pin hole (40.1 ). The lower sleeve (50) has the structures of at least one projection (50.1 ), at least one dispense opening (50.2), and at least one second rib (50.3).

[0052] The outer sleeve (10) is the outermost layer of the closure mechanism and surrounds the inner cap (20) and the pourer (40). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer sleeve (10) is configured with a cylindrical geometry with a hollow interior and an open base. The outer sleeve (10) has the recesses and the protrusions where the inner cap (20) may fit.

[0053] The inner cap (20) refers to the structure that engages the upper part of the valve (30) and the pourer (40). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner cap (20) is configured with a cylindrical geometry with a hollow interior and an open base. The inner cap (20) comprises the recess and protrusion structures where the pourer (40) may fit. The inner cap (20) has a pin (20.1), which is configured as a downward extension from the middle of the closed base of the cylindrical structure. The pin (20.1) fits in the pin housing (32) in the valve (30) and secures the valve (30) from the top and further enables the valve (30) to be centered when the inner cap (20) is closed.

[0054] The valve (30) is positioned between the pourer (40) and the lower sleeve (50) and refers to the structure that prevents the refill. The valve (30) basically comprises of a bowl (31) and a pin housing (32). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve (30) is configured with a circular geometry. The circular structure rises from its sides in a stepped and crosswise manner (sideways and upwards) in a way that it forms a hollow bowl (31 ).

[0055] In order to facilitate the description of the bowl (31 ) of the valve (30), the bowl (31) will be referred to as a first bowl (31.1) and a second bowl (31.2). Preferably, the first bowl (31.1) starts at the pin housing (32), advances sideways in a circular manner over a certain distance (radius), then advances in a crosswise manner at a certain angle up to the second bowl (31.2) (both sideways and upwards), and joins / connects with the second bowl (31.2) in a circular manner. The first bowl (31.1) is the part where the content (liquid) begins to first accumulate during an attempt of refill. In this way, the second bowl (31.2), beginning from the part where the first bowl (31.1) ends, advances in a concave and crosswise manner (both sideways and upwards) over a certain distance. The second bowl (31.2) is the part that enables the content to collect in the first bowl (31.1). In this way, when the content begins to enter the interior of the lower sleeve (50) during an attempt of refill, the structures of first bowl (31.1 ) and second bowl (31 .2) of the valve (30) are able to collect the content inside them. A valve seat (34) with a circular recess structure is formed below the part where the first bowl (31 .1) and the second bowl (31 .2) join. The valve seat (34) houses the projection (50.1). Although the structure formed by the first bowl (31.1 ) and the second bowl (31.2) preferably extends up to the middle position of the pin housing (32), it may be modified according to the preference and the need.

[0056] There is present a pin housing (32), which is configured as an extension with a hollow cylindrical geometry that is open on one end thereof and which extends upwards (towards the pin (20.1)) from the middle part of the bowl (31). The pin housing (32) houses the pin (20.1), wherein the valve (30) becomes fixed and centered when the pin (20.1) fits in the pin housing (32). There is present at least one first rib (33), which is disposed of in the form of a protrusion in the pin housing (32). The first rib (33) enables the valve (30) to be guided along a single axis and prevents the same from tilting in any direction. In this way, extra protection for preventing the refill is provided against the method of horizontal filling discovered by the unauthorized persons. The first rib (33) is preferably configured to extend downward from the upper part of the pin housing (32) and is positioned in the pin housing (32) at certain intervals. The original content inside the bottle may exit also through the openings on the sides of the first ribs (33).

[0057] The bowl (31 ) is configured to collect therein the content and block the dispense opening (50.2) during an attempt of refill. Owing to the valve (30) having a hollow structure, the valve (30), under the influence of the weight of the liquid filling in the bowl (31) during an attempt of refill, moves downward and blocks the dispense opening (50.2) on the lower sleeve (50). Thus, the valve (30) provides extra protection against any attempt of refill. More specifically, the valve (30) is positioned between the pourer (40) and the lower sleeve (50) and comprises a bowl (31), which extends horizontally from the lower part of the valve (30) and which, by fitting on the dispense opening

[0058] (50.2) upon the content filling in the bowl (31 ) during an attempt of refill, prevents the content from entering the bottle.

[0059] The pourer (40) refers to the structure that surrounds the bottle neck (60) and the lower sleeve (50). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pourer (40) comprises the recesses and the protrusions where the inner cap (20) and the lower sleeve (50) may fit. The pourer (40) is configured preferably with a cylindrical geometry, which is hollow and one base of which is open. A circular pin hole (40.1), where the pin (20.1) may fit, is present on the upper base of the cylindrical structure. The lower sleeve (50) refers to the structure positioned on the bottle neck (60). The lower sleeve (50) is configured preferably with a cylindrical geometry, which is hollow and both bases of which are open. The cylindrical structure has a stepped formation, which is configured such that it has a certain diameter from the lower part thereof up to the middle part thereof, and it has another diameter, which is bigger compared to the lower part, from the middle part thereof to the upper part thereof. There is present a circularly formed projection (50.1 ) at the location where the lower part of the lower sleeve (50), with a small diameter, and the upper part of the lower sleeve (50), with a diameter greater than the lower part, connect with one another in a circular manner. The projection

[0060] (50.1) enables the valve (30) to be fixed by fitting in the valve seat (34), with a recessed structure, in the valve (30). The lowermost part of the lower sleeve (50) is referred to as the dispense opening

[0061] (50.2), wherein the content inside the bottle passes through the opening. There is present at least one second rib (50.3), in the form of a protrusion, on the inner side of the upper part of the lower sleeve (50), which upper part has a diameter greater than the lower part. Preferably, a plurality of the second ribs (50.3) are disposed at certain intervals with respect to one another. The second rib

[0062] (50.3) is preferably configured in a way to extend downward from the upper part of the lower sleeve (50) to the lower part thereof with a smaller diameter. The second rib (50.3) enables the bowl (31 ) and the valve (30) to be guided along a single axis and prevents the same from tilting in any direction, i.e., from moving along a different axis. In this way, extra protection for preventing the refill is provided against the method of horizontal filling discovered by the unauthorized persons.

[0063] The orientation or positional relationship indicated in this description by the terms “upper”, “lower”, “above”, “below”, and “side” is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the figures and is intended only to clarify the technical solution and facilitate the description. Such orientation or positional relationship does not imply or specify that the mentioned mechanism or feature requires a specific orientation or is built and operated in a specific direction, and thus, such orientation or positional relationship may not be construed as a limitation of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A closure mechanism comprising at least one lower sleeve (50), which is positioned on a bottle neck (60) and which comprises at least one dispense opening (50.2) where content inside a bottle passes; at least one pourer (40) surrounding the bottle neck (60) and the lower sleeve (50); and an inner cap (20) fitting in upper part of the pourer (40), characterized in that; in order to prevent the bottle from being refilled by an unauthorized person with another content that is of a poorer quality than original content of the bottle, the closure mechanism further comprises- at least one valve (30) positioned between the pourer (40) and the lower sleeve (50), comprising a bowl (31 ), which extends horizontally from lower part of the valve (30) and which, by fitting on the dispense opening (50.2) upon the content filling in the bowl (31 ) during an attempt of refill, prevents the content from entering the bottle.

2. The closure mechanism according to Claim 1 characterized in that the lower sleeve (50) comprises at least one circular projection (50.1 ), which is formed to enable the valve (30) to fit more tightly and enable the content to enter the bottle.

3. The closure mechanism according to Claim 1 characterized in that the bowl (31 ) comprises a first bowl (31.1 ) and a second bowl (31.2) being a continuation of the first bowl (31.1 ).

4. The closure mechanism according to Claim 2 or 3 characterized in that the valve (30) comprises at least one valve seat (34), which is formed circumferentially below the part where the first bowl (31.1 ) and the second bowl (31.2) connect circumferentially and which circumferentially fits in the projection (50.1 ).

5. The closure mechanism according to Claim 1 characterized in that the valve (30) comprises at least one first rib (33), which is positioned on the valve (30) and which enables the valve (30) to be guided along a single axis.

6. The closure mechanism according to Claim 1 characterized in that the lower sleeve (50) comprises at least one second rib (50.3), which enables the bowl (31) and the valve (30) to be guided along a single axis and prevents the same from moving along a different axis.

7. The closure mechanism according to Claim 1 characterized in that the bowl (31) is configured in a way to collect therein the content and block the dispense opening (50.2) during an attempt of refill.

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