WO2014041325A2

WO2014041325A2 - Security device for a bottle

Info

Publication number: WO2014041325A2
Application number: PCT/GB2013/000381
Authority: WO
Original assignee: Max-Gear Innovations Limited
Priority date: 2012-09-13
Filing date: 2013-09-13
Publication date: 2014-03-20
Also published as: WO2014041325A3

Abstract

A security cap for a bottle which includes an RF tag which, if removed or tampered with, breaks the seal between the closure and the bottle neck thereby opening the bottle preventing it from subsequently being resold unlawfully.

Description

Security device for a bottle

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a security device for a bottle. More especially the invention relates to a security system for a bottle including an RF tag formed on a substrate designed to fit within a cap of the bottle. The RF tag is deactivated at the point of sale.

Background to the invention Theft of bottles of wine and spirits from retail outlets costs the retailers millions of pounds a year.

In an attempt to alleviate the problem various security devices have been developed which attach to the bottle cap and/or neck of the bottle and which require removal at the point of sale. Such security apparatus have been found to be generally undesirable due to their cumbersome features and their bulky, unsightly appearance. Furthermore, the need removal of the device at the point of sale slows the overall buying process.

The present invention seeks to provide a security system for a bottle cap which includes an RF tag or coil formed on a substrate which is deactivated at^' the point of sale so that the tag itself does not require removal from the bottle.

The present invention further seeks to provide a security cap for a bottle which includes an RF tag which, if removed or tampered with, breaks the seal between the closure and the bottle neck thereby opening the bottle preventing it from subsequently being resold unlawfully. RF tags have been considered for placement on a bottle of wine or spirit beneath the label. However, the brand owners of wine and spirits are not keen on this solution as the tag is likely to be seen through the label. In other cases the bottle surface may be engraved and the location of the label on its surface is not desirable.

The further technical problem to be overcome is that the signal transmission strength of an RF tag depends on the coil surface area. The flat face of a standardised bottle cap does not provide sufficient area for an effective RF tag as the limitations in the surface area of the coil is not sufficient size for the RF tag to work effectively.

The present invention further seeks to provide a RF coil carried on a substrate that extends across the face of the cap and at least partially down and around the walls of the cap.

By "face" of the cap it is meant the top of the cap i.e. the circular flat section that lies horizontal when the bottle is held upright.

Statements of invention According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a security closure for placement over the cap of a bottle, the closure having an RF tag located within the closure, wherein removal of the closure causes breakage of the seal between the cap and the bottle. Preferably the cap of the bottle is made from a non- metallic material. Preferably the RF tag is in the form of a coil and is located on a top surface of the cap covered by the closure in use. Alternatively the coil is located on the inside surface of the top of the closure. Preferably the internal wall of the closure includes a thread to allow the closure to be screwed onto and over the cap. Preferably unscrewing of the closure causes the cap to unscrew thereby breaking the seal between the cap and the bottle.

Preferably the RF tag is located within the closure at a distance of greater than 14.5mm. Preferably still the distance is no less than 15mm. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided security device for a bottle, the device comprising :

an inner cap that has a base wall and a skirt depending therefrom;

an outer cap having a base and a skirt depending therefrom;

a security element comprising a substrate carrying an RF coil;

wherein the substrate overlies an outer face of the base wall of the inner cap and extends down and around at least part of the skirt of the inner cap;

and wherein the inner cap is secured in use within the outer cap. According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of applying a security element to a bottle cap, the security element comprising a substrate carrying an RF coil, the method comprising the steps of:

placing one part of the substrate against an inner cap comprising a base wall and a skirt depending therefrom, such that the substrate extends across the outer face of the base wall and at least partially down and around the skirt;

securing the inner cap within an outer cap comprising a base wall and skirt depending therefrom.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is a bottle having security apparatus attached thereto, the security apparatus comprising a substrate carrying an RF tag, the substrate being adapted to fit within a bottle cap such that the substrate extends across the inside face of the cap and at least partially down and around the inside wall of the cap.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided an RF security label, the label comprising a substrate carrying an RF tag or coil extending around its periphery, the substrate comprising a generally circular section extending, from at least one side, to a generally rectangular section which extends laterally along one side of the circular section.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a bottle having security apparatus attached thereto, the security apparatus comprising a substrate carrying an RF tag, the substrate being adapted to fit securely around a neck portion of the bottle. Preferably the substrate is located within a grove formed in the surface of the bottle neck.

Alternatively the apparatus may further comprise a tubular sleeve section that extends along at least partly over the neck of the bottle, the bottom edge of which forms recess between the sleeve and the bottle neck in which the substrate is located. According to a seventh aspect of the invention there is provided a method of applying security apparatus top a bottle, the method comprising placing a substrate carrying an RF tag or coil around the a predetermined location in the neck of the bottle such that it is secured thereto.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bottle cap suitable for carrying a security element in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of bottle cap of figure 1;

Figure 3 is an exploded view of bottle cap of figure 1 including the security element;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the security element; Figure 5 is a plan view of a security element constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 6 is a plan view of a security element constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment of figure

7 with the cap removed;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment of figure 7 with the cap removed and showing the security element;

Figure 10 is an exploded view of the embodiment of figure 7; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a further embodiment constructed in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 12 is schematic illustration of a further embodiment constructed in accordance with the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a bottle cap for bottle (not shown) , for example but without limitation, a bottle of wine or spirits. The bottle cap comprises an inner cap 1 and an outer cap 2. The inner cap 1 comprises a base wall 3 and a skirt 4 depending from the base wall 3. The inner cap 1 is secured in use to the top of a bottle by well known means. For example, in the embodiment described, the bottom edge of the skirt 4 is serrated and secured, in use, to a securement ring located around the neck of a bottle. The cap 1 is removed from the bottle by rotation of the cap 1 to break the connection between the bottom edge of the cap 1 and the securement ring.

The outer cap 2 also comprises a base wall 5 with a skirt 6 depending therefrom.

The cuter wall of the skirt 4 of the inner cap 1 is formed with a plurality of ridges 7 which engage and interlock, in use, with corresponding ridges formed on the inside wall of the skirt 6 of the outer cap 2 to securely retain the inner cap 1 within the outer cap 2.

The inner cap 1 is secured within the outer cap 2 so as not to be removable therefrom. In use, rotation of the outer cap will cause rotation of the inner cap 1 to break the connection with the securement ring.

Turning now to figures 3 and 4, the bottle cap includes a security element 8 within its structure. The security element 8 is shown in figure 4 and comprises a substrate 9 on which an RF coil 10 is embedded or otherwise formed or located.

The substrate 9 is generally circular and has a diameter greater than the diameter of the base wall 3 of the inner cap 1.

The diameter of the substrate 9 is of sufficient size that the RF coil 10 has sufficient surface area to be able to transmit a signal strong enough to be received by receivers located in gates at the entrance and/or exit of a retail outlet unless the security element 8 has been deactivated at the point of sale.

As can be seen in figure 3, the substrate 9 is located in use ever the outer face of the base wall 3 of the inner cap 1 such that the substrate 9 extends entirely across the face. The substrate 8 and the coil 10 also extending downwardly and along at least part of the outside face of the skirt 4 of the inner cap 1.

The substrate may be adhered or otherwise secured to the wall 3 and skirt 4 of the inner cap 1.

The substrate 9 may be encapsulated within a recess formed in the surface of the base wall 3, or may be encapsulated within a protective casing such as a polymer, for example, PTFE, prior to being secured against the wall 3 and skirt 4 of the inner cap 1.

Once the security element 8 has been placed over the inner cap 1 the inner cap 1 is then secured within the outer cap 2 such that the security element lies between and against the base wall and part of the skirt of the caps 1, 2.

The security element 8 cannot be accessed and cannot be removed without the entire bottle cap being removed from the bottle.

The shape of the security element may be varied to allow the coil 10 to have sufficient surface area, examples of which can be seen in figures 5 and 6. Referring first to figure 5, a substrate 11, having an RF coil 12 around its periphery, consists of a first generally circular section 13 which would, in use, lie against the base wall 2 of inner cap 1. The circular section 13 extends, at one side, to a second generally rectangular section 14. The second section would, in use, extend downwardly from the base wall 3 and lie against, and at least partially around, the skirt 4 of the inner cap 1.

The substrate may be secured to the base wall 3 and/or skirt 4 of the inner cap 1 using a suitable adhesive. Figure 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the generally circular section 13 is radially segmented.

In a further embodiment (not shown) rectangular sections extend from both sides of the circular section which, in use, extend downwardly and around opposing sections of of the skirt of the inner cap 1, possibly overlapping at their ends. The RF tag may include an RFID chip.

In a further embodiment (not shown) the security element is located against the inside surface of the base wall 5 of the outer cap 2 and downwardly and along at least part of the inside wall of the skirt 6 of the outer cap 2.

Alternatively the security element 8 could be located within the inside surface of a base wall and skirt of a singular bottle cap structure. A further embodiment of the invention is shown in figures 7 to 10. Referring first to figure 7, the security closure comprises a cap member 101 designed and dimensioned to fit over a bottle lid 102 made from non-metallic material such as polycarbonate or other plastics material. When located over the lid 102, the respective surfaces of the cap 101 and lid 202 engage with each other in a secure manner. This may be achieved, for example with complimentary ridges formed on the inside surface of the cap 101 and the outer surface of the lid 102 respectively. It will be appreciated though that other ways of securing the cap 101 over the bottle 102 could be utilised.

The cap 101 is made from a non-metallic material such as for example without limitation, a polycarbonate material. The bottle lid 102 is connected to a tubular sleeve member 103 which extends downwardly over the neck of a bottle 104.

An RF coil 105 is located on a top surface of the lid 102 such as to be located in between the lid 102 and the cap 101.

The outer surface of the cap 101 is formed with an array of ridges 106 to allow the cap 101 to be gripped and turned by the user. Rotation of the cap 101 by the user causes rotation of the lid 102 underneath the cap 101 which in turn causes the seal between the lid 102 and the sleeve 103 to break thereby removing the lid 102 from the bottle 104. Consequently, it is not possible for a consumer to remove the cap 101 to gain access to the RF coil 105 without removing the bottle lid 102.

The coil 105 may include an RFID chip.

Figure 11 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the bottle is a standard bottle containing, for example, wine or spirits. The bottle 201 comprises a neck portion 202 at the top of which is fitted a lid 203. The lid 203 is attached to a tubular sleeve 204 extending downwardly over the bottle neck 202.

The outer surface of the neck 202 of the bottle 201 is formed with a groove 205.

In an alternative embodiment the bottom edge of the sleeve forms a circumferential recess where the edge of the sleeve 204 meets the bottle neck 202.

An elongate substrate carrying an RF tag or coil (not shown) is located within the groove 205 (or recess) around the neck 202 of the bottle 201. Removal of the substrate is prevented by it being located within the groove 205.

Additional security measures preventing removal of the substrate (and thus the RF tag) may be utilised, for example by providing a casing around the substrate which is then secured to the bottle neck 202.

The RF tag is deactivated at the point of sale and can remain around the bottle neck 202 after sale. The only practical way to remove the RF tag prior to deactivation would be to break the neck of the bottle 202.

In a further embodiment an RF coil is applied directly to the neck of the bottle 202.

The RF tag may include an RFID chip.

Figure 12 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention. This embodiment also relates to a closure 301 for a bottle 302. The closure 301 is preferably injection moulded from a polycarbonate material but any other suitable material may however be used. The inner surface of the top of the closure 301 has located thereon an RF tag 303. The tag 303 may be adhered to the inner surface of the closure 301 but is preferably embedded on to or within the surface during the manufacturing process of the closure 301.

The closure 301 is, in use, located over a bottle cap 304, the design and dimensions of which are generally standard in the wine industry and, to some extent, the spirit industry.

The standard material for bottle caps across the industry is aluminium. This poses difficulties when using RF tags due to the fact that aluminium acts as a barrier to transmission of RF signals if the electric circuit is located too close to the metal cap.

To avoid blockage to RF signals the RF tag 303 is located within the closure 301 at a distance of no less than 14.5 mm from the aluminium cap 304. The gap (marked "X" in the figure) is preferably between 14.5mm and 19mm. Preferably still the gap is no less than 15mm.

To this end, the preferred location for the RF tag 303 is in the inner surface of the top of the closure 301 (as shown in the figure) . It is, however, envisaged that the tag 303 could be located in other positions within the closure 301 provided that position allows a sufficient distance from the cap 304.

The closure 301 is preferably designed where possible to give the appearance of a simple extension to well- recognised existing bottle caps. The closure 301 extends downwardly over the entire cap 304 and the inner surface of the closure walls engage with the outer surface of the cap 304 to the extent that removal or tampering of the closure 301 (in an accidental or deliberate attempt to remove the RF tag 303 i.e. the security element of the bottle 302) will cause breakage of the seal between the cap 304 and the bottle 302 thereby rendering the bottle 302 unfit for unlawful resale.

The inner surface of the walls of the closure 301 may, for example, include an internal thread which allows the closure to be screwed over and onto the bottle cap 304. Unscrewing of the closure 301 causes the cap 304 to also unscrew thereby breaking the seal with the bottle 302. In a further embodiment (not illustrated) the closure 301 is formed in two sections hinged together with the RF tag 303 located within the top section. Once applied to the bottle cap 304 the two sections are secured together to prevent them being separated. This arrangement may benefit fitting of the RF tag 303 within the closure 301.

The security tag element 303 may include RFID technology as well as simply RF technology to allow precise means of identification of the bottle. The main focus of the invention is, however, to prevent theft.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing are merely examples of embodiments and just some examples of their use. The skilled reader will readily understand that modifications can be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

A security device for a bottle comprising a first cap for securement to a bottle through a breakable seal, and a second cap secured thereto, wherein an internal cavity is provided between the end surfaces of each cap, and a security element is located within the cavity, and wherein removal of the second cap causes breakage of the seal between the first cap and the bottle .

A security device for a bottle according to claim 1, wherein the first inner cap has a base wall and a skirt depending therefrom, and the second outer cap has a base and a skirt depending therefrom; wherein the security element comprises a substrate carrying an RF coil; wherein the substrate overlies an outer face of the base wall of the inner cap and wherein the substrate extends down and around at least part of the skirt of the inner cap; and wherein the inner cap is secured in use within the outer cap.

A security device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the part of the substrate extending down the inner cap includes at least part of the coil.

4. A security device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising means to secure the substrate onto the surface of the inner cap.

5. A security device according to claim 4, wherein the securement means consists of an adhesive. A security device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the substrate is generally circular.

A security device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the substrate comprises a generally circular section extending, from at least one side, to a generally rectangular section which extends laterally along one side of the circular section.

A security device according to claim 7, wherein the coil extends along or in close proximity to the entire periphery of the substrate.

A security device according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the generally circular section is segmented.

A method of applying a security element to a bottle cap, the security element comprising a substrate carrying an RF coil, the method comprising the steps of:

A method according to claim 10 comprising the further step of securing the substrate against the outer surface of the inner cap. A bottle having security apparatus according to any preceding claim attached thereto.

A bottle having security apparatus attached thereto, the security apparatus comprising a substrate carrying an RF tag, the substrate being adapted to fit within a bottle cap such that the substrate extends across the inside face of the cap and at least partially down and around the inside wall of the cap.