WO2005070569A1

WO2005070569A1 - A cleaning device

Info

Publication number: WO2005070569A1
Application number: PCT/IE2005/000004
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Leonard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-01-27
Filing date: 2005-01-27
Publication date: 2005-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 2006-07-27

Abstract

A device (1) comprises a sachet (4) having a pouch portion (9) within which a towelette (15) is sealably located for cleaning a beverage bottle (2) prior to drinking therefrom. The sachet (4) is formed by a pair of foil sheets (5,6) which are heat sealed around the periphery thereof for forming a hollow interior region (14) within which a towelette (15) is sealably located. The sheets (5,6) extend from the pouch portion (9), and are heat sealed together to form an eye portion (10) through which an engagement opening (11) extends for attaching the cleaning device (1) to the bottle (2). A portion (19) of the sheet (5) is separated at (20) from the remainder of the sheet (5) for facilitating peeling of the portion (19) from the sheet (6) for removing the towelette (15) from the pouch portion (9). The towelette (15) is of a non-woven fibrous absorbent material impregnated with a liquid solution of disinfectant and solvent.

Description

"A cleaning device"

The present invention relates to a cleaning device, and in particular to a cleaning device for a beverage container, for example, a bottle, can or the like.

It is now fashionable to drink beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic directly from the container in which they are provided. Such containers, typically, are bottles and cans of capacity, typically, in the range of 0.25 litres to 0.75 litres. Indeed, the practice of drinking beverages, particularly beer from bottles is particularly prevalent, even in bars and lounges where glasses are provided. Unfortunately, this practice is relatively unhygienic, since the bottles and cans can be contaminated in storage. It is not uncommon for cans and bottles of beverages to be stored in the open where rats, mice, and indeed, dogs and cats have access to the cans and bottles, with the consequent risk of contamination of the cans and bottles by animal urine, faeces and the like. Even where cans and bottles of beverages are stored in cellars, there is a risk of contamination with mice and rat urine and faeces. In general, people who drink from bottles or cans do not wipe the bottle or can prior to consuming the beverage due to the absence of a suitable towel or cloth, and thus, are vulnerable to being infected as a result of the contamination of the bottle or can.

There is therefore a need for a cleaning device for cleaning a beverage container.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a cleaning device. The invention is also directed towards a beverage bottle, and to a method for facilitating cleaning of a beverage bottle.

According to the invention there is provided a cleaning device for a beverage container, characterised in that the cleaning device comprises a sachet, an absorbent means located within the sachet, the absorbent means being impregnated with a liquid medium and being adapted for wiping the beverage container, and an engagement means for engaging the beverage container so that the sachet is attachable to the beverage container. Preferably, the engaging means is adapted for releasably engaging the beverage container. Advantageously, an engagement opening is formed in the engagement means for engaging the container. Ideally, the engagement opening is adapted for engaging the neck of a beverage bottle.

In one embodiment of the invention the engagement opening is a circular opening, and preferably, the engagement opening defines a neck of a beverage bottle.

In one embodiment of the invention the sachet comprises a pouch portion within which the absorbent means is located, and the engaging means extends from the pouch portion, and preferably, the engagement means is integrally formed with the pouch portion.

In one embodiment of the invention the pouch portion defines a hollow interior region within which the absorbent means is releasably located. Preferably, the absorbent means is sealably contained within the hollow interior region defined by the pouch portion.

In another embodiment of the invention the pouch portion is formed by a pair of sheet members sealably secured together around their periphery for defining the hollow interior region with the absorbent means sealably located therein.

In a further embodiment of the invention the sheet members are of a heat sealable material, and preferably, the sheet members are of a pressure sealable material.

In one embodiment of the invention the sheet members are of foil material, and preferably, each sheet member comprises a laminate of foil and a plastics sheet material. Advantageously, the foil of each sheet member is metal foil.

Preferably, the sheet members extend from the pouch portion to form the engagement means. Advantageously, the sheet members are laminated together to form the engagement means, and ideally, the sheet members are secured together to form the engagement means.

In one embodiment of the invention a weakened portion is formed in at least one of the sheet members adjacent the seal around the periphery of the pouch portion for facilitating tearing of the sheet member for gaining access to the hollow interior region for removing the absorbent means therefrom, and preferably, the weakened portion is formed by a slit in the at least one of the sheet members extending into but not through the peripheral seal, and advantageously, the slit is formed in both of the sheet members.

Alternatively, a peelable portion of one of the sheet members forming the pouch portion is separated from the remainder of the sheet member for facilitating peeling of the peelable portion from the other sheet member for gaining access to the hollow interior region, and preferably, the peelable portion is separated from the remainder of the sheet member along a line of separation extending through a portion of the seal defining the hollow interior region.

In one embodiment of the invention the absorbent means comprises an absorbent sheet in the form of a towelette.

In another embodiment of the invention the absorbent sheet is of a fibre material, and preferably, the absorbent sheet is of a non-woven material.

In one embodiment of the invention the liquid medium with which the absorbent means is impregnated is a solvent solution.

In another embodiment of the invention the liquid medium with which the absorbent means is impregnated is a disinfectant.

In a further embodiment of the invention the liquid medium with which the absorbent means is impregnated is a disinfectant solution comprising an active ingredient. In a further embodiment of the invention the active ingredient of the disinfectant solution is centrimide BP.

In one embodiment of the invention the active ingredient constitutes up to 5% of the disinfectant solution. Preferably, the active ingredient constitutes up to 1% of the disinfectant solution. Advantageously, the active ingredient constitutes approximately 0.1 % of the disinfectant solution.

Ideally, the absorbent sheet is folded to fit within the pouch portion.

The invention also provides a beverage container wherein a cleaning device according to the invention is attached to the beverage container.

In one embodiment of the invention the cleaning device is releasably attached to the beverage container.

Preferably, the beverage container is a beverage bottle, and the cleaning device is engaged with the neck of the beverage bottle.

The invention also provides a method for facilitating wiping of a beverage container, the method comprising the steps of providing a cleaning device which comprises an absorbent means impregnated with a liquid medium and adapted for wiping the beverage container, the absorbent means being located in a sachet, and providing an engaging means for engaging the beverage container, and attaching the sachet to the beverage container by the engaging means.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, which are given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the cleaning device of Fig. 1 partly opened,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a beverage container also according to the invention comprising the cleaning device of Fig. 1 attached thereto,

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the cleaning device of Fig. 1 , Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the cleaning device of Fig. 1 , Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of the cleaning device of Fig. 1 , Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the cleaning device of Fig. 1 , Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of a cleaning device according to another embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the cleaning device of Fig. 8, Fig. 10 is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of the cleaning device of Fig. 8 on the line X-X of Fig. 8, and

Fig. 11 is a plan view of a portion of the cleaning device of Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 7 thereof, there is illustrated a cleaning device according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 , for cleaning a beverage container, which in this embodiment of the invention is a beverage bottle 2 also according to the invention when provided with the cleaning device 1. The beverage bottle 2 may be any type of beverage bottle, and in this case is a beer or wine bottle, which may range in capacity typically from 0.15 litres to 2 litres, and more commonly from 0.18 litres to 0.75 litres. The cleaning device 1 is particularly suitable for cleaning and disinfecting the upper neck portion and the top of the beverage bottle 2 adjacent the mouth thereof prior to drinking the beverage therefrom. The cleaning device 1 comprises a sachet 4 formed by a pair of foil sheets 5 and 6 which are secured together to form a pouch portion 9 and an engaging means, namely, an eye portion 10 for attaching the sachet 4 to the bottle 2. An engagement opening 11 extends through the eye portion 10 for engaging the bottle 2 adjacent the neck thereof, see Fig. 3. The pouch portion 9 defines an airtight hollow interior region 14 within which an absorbent means, namely, an absorbent sheet in the form of a towelette 15 impregnated with a disinfectant solution is releasably and sealably located, see Fig. 2. The towelette and the disinfectant solution are described in more detail below.

In this embodiment of the invention the sheets 5 and 6 are flexible and of a foil material laminated with a plastics sheet material for facilitating heat and pressure sealing of the sheets 5 and 6 together. The sheets 5 and 6 are heat and pressure sealed together adjacent their peripheral edges to form a peripheral seal 17 which extends around and defines the hollow interior region 14 of the pouch portion 9 within which the towelette 15 is sealably located. The sheets 5 and 6 extend from the pouch portion 9 and are laminated and pressure and heat sealed together to form the eye portion 10. The engagement opening 11 is formed during heat and pressure sealing of the sheets 5 and 6 together by punching out the engagement opening 11.

A peelable portion 19 of the sheet 5 is separated at 20 from the remainder of the sheet 5 which forms the eye portion 10 for facilitating peeling of the portion 19 from the sheet 6 for exposing the towelette 15 to facilitate removal of the towelette 15 from the hollow interior region 14.

The towelette 15 in this embodiment of the invention is provided by a non-woven absorbent fibrous material which his impregnated with a liquid solution of a disinfectant and solvent for facilitating cleaning and disinfecting the beverage bottle 2, and in particular, the upper neck portion and the top of the beverage bottle 2 adjacent the mouth thereof. In this embodiment of the invention the active ingredient of the disinfectant is centrimide BP and is in a concentration of approximately 0.1 % of the liquid solution. The liquid solution with which the towelette 15 is impregnated is a volatile solution so that it rapidly dries on the beverage bottle 2, after the beverage bottle 2 has been wiped with the towelette 15. The towelette 15 is damp to touch, and is folded a number of times so that it fits within the hollow interior region 14 of the pouch portion 9, and can be readily unfolded.

It is envisaged that the cleaning device 1 will be mass produced, and a folded towelette 15 will be placed on a blister which has been formed in the sheet 5 to form one half of the hollow interior region 14, and then the second sheet 6 will be placed over the sheet 5, thereby trapping the towelette 15 in the hollow interior region 14. The sheets 5 and 6 will then be heat and pressure sealed together to form the peripheral seal 17 and the eye portion 10 together. The engagement opening 11 will be punched from the eye portion 10 during heat sealing.

In use, it is envisaged that when a beverage bottle 2 is being served to a customer, whether the cap has been removed or otherwise, the cleaning device 1 will be placed on the neck of the bottle 2 as illustrated in Fig. 3, and the bottle 2 with the cleaning device 1 attached thereto will be served to the customer. The customer then removes the towelette 15 from the pouch portion 9 of the sachet 4 by peeling the portion 19 of the sheet 5 from the sheet 6, commencing at the line of separation 20 to expose the towelette 15. On removing the towelette 15, the towelette 15 is then unfolded for wiping the top and the upper portion of the neck of the bottle 2 for cleaning thereof prior to drinking the beverage.

Referring now to Figs. 8 to 11 , there is illustrated a cleaning device according to another embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 30, also for cleaning a beverage bottle. The cleaning device 30 is substantially similar to the cleaning device 1 and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. The main difference between the cleaning device 30 and the cleaning device 1 is that the engagement opening 11 in the eye portion 10 of the cleaning device 30 is circular, and is sized and shaped to substantially define the neck of a beverage bottle 2 to which it is to be attached. Additionally, the sheet 5 of the cleaning device 30 is not separated at 20, however, in this embodiment of the invention the peripheral seal 17 defining the hollow interior region 14 is weakened by forming a slit 32 through the sheets 5 and 6 adjacent the peripheral edge thereof, which extends partly through the peripheral seal 17 towards the hollow interior region 14, but not completely across the peripheral seal 17. The towelette 15 is removed from the hollow interior region 14 of the device 30 by tearing the sheets 5 and 6 commencing with the slit 32 transversely across the pouch portion 9 for exposing the towelette 15 for removal from the hollow interior region 14.

The material of the sheets 5 and 6 of the device 30 is similar to that of the device 1 , and the sheets 5 and 6 are heat and pressure sealed in similar fashion as the sheets 5 and 6 of the device 1 are heat and pressure sealed. However, in this embodiment of the invention blisters are not formed in the sheets 5 and 6 prior to heat and pressure sealing. The towelette 15 when folded is sufficiently thin not to require the formation of blisters in the sheets 5 and 6. Additionally, the sheets 5 and 6 are sufficiently flexible to deform outwardly in the area adjacent the hollow interior region

14 to accommodate the towelette 15 in the hollow interior region 14. The towelette

15 is of similar material to the towelette 15 of the cleaning device 1 , and is impregnated with a similar liquid solution of disinfectant and solvent, and is folded along fold lines 33 illustrated in Fig. 11 to fit into the hollow interior region 14 of the pouch portion 9.

It is envisaged that the slit 32 in the sheets 5 and 6 will be formed during heat and pressure sealing of the sheets 5 and 6.

Otherwise, the cleaning device 30 and its use is similar to the cleaning device 1.

While the cleaning device has been described as being suitable for hanging on the neck of a beverage bottle, it is envisaged in certain cases that the engaging means may be adapted for attaching the cleaning device to a beverage can or the like. It is also envisaged that other suitable engaging means may be provided for attaching the cleaning device to a beverage bottle or can, for example, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the engaging means may be provided by an adhesive for bonding the sachet to a beverage bottle or can.

While it is desirable that the liquid medium with which the absorbent means is impregnated should have cleansing and disinfecting properties, in certain cases it is envisaged that the liquid medium may have cleansing properties only, while in other cases the liquid medium may have disinfecting properties only. Furthermore, any other cleansing means and/or disinfecting means may be used besides those which have been described.

Additionally, it is envisaged that the absorbent means instead of being provided as a sheet may be provided as a pad, and it will be appreciated that the absorbent means may be of any suitable absorbent material.

It will also be appreciated that the sachet may be of any other suitable material than that described.

Claims

1. A cleaning device for a beverage container, characterised in that the cleaning device comprises a sachet, an absorbent means located within the sachet, the absorbent means being impregnated with a liquid medium and being adapted for wiping the beverage container, and an engagement means for engaging the beverage container so that the sachet is attachable to the beverage container.

2. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that the engaging means is adapted for releasably engaging the beverage container.

3. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 characterised in that an engagement opening is formed in the engagement means for engaging the container.

4. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 3 characterised in that the engagement opening is adapted for engaging the neck of a beverage bottle.

5. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 3 or 4 characterised in that the engagement opening is a circular opening.

6. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 5 characterised in that the engagement opening defines a neck of a beverage bottle.

7. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the sachet comprises a pouch portion within which the absorbent means is located, and the engaging means extends from the pouch portion.

8. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 7 characterised in that the engagement means is integrally formed with the pouch portion.

9. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 7 or 8 characterised in that the pouch portion defines a hollow interior region within which the absorbent means is releasably located.

10. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 9 characterised in that the absorbent means is sealably contained within the hollow interior region defined by the pouch portion.

11. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 9 or 10 characterised in that the pouch portion is formed by a pair of sheet members sealably secured together around their periphery for defining the hollow interior region with the absorbent means sealably located therein.

12. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 11 characterised in that the sheet members are of a heat sealable material.

13. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 11 or 12 characterised in that the sheet members are of a pressure sealable material.

14. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 13 characterised in that the sheet members are of foil material.

15. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 14 characterised in that each sheet member comprises a laminate of foil and a plastics sheet material.

16. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 14 or 15 characterised in that the foil of each sheet member is metal foil.

17. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 16 characterised in that the sheet members extend from the pouch portion to form the engagement means.

18. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 17 characterised in that the sheet members are laminated together to form the engagement means.

19. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 17 or 18 characterised in that the sheet members are secured together to form the engagement means.

20. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 19 characterised in that a weakened portion is formed in at least one of the sheet members adjacent the seal around the periphery of the pouch portion for facilitating tearing of the sheet member for gaining access to the hollow interior region for removing the absorbent means therefrom.

21. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 20 characterised in that the weakened portion is formed by a slit in the at least one of the sheet members extending into but not through the peripheral seal.

22. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 21 characterised in that the slit is formed in both of the sheet members.

23. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 19 characterised in that a peelable portion of one of the sheet members forming the pouch portion is separated from the remainder of the sheet member for facilitating peeling of the peelable portion from the other sheet member for gaining access to the hollow interior region.

24. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 23 characterised in that the peelable portion is separated from the remainder of the sheet member along a line of separation extending through a portion of the seal defining the hollow interior region.

25. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the absorbent means comprises an absorbent sheet in the form of a towelette.

26. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 25 characterised in that the absorbent sheet is of a fibre material.

27. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 25 or 26 characterised in that the absorbent sheet is of a non-woven material.

28. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the liquid medium with which the absorbent means is impregnated is a solvent solution.

29. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the liquid medium with which the absorbent means is impregnated is a disinfectant.

30. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the liquid medium with which the absorbent means is impregnated is a disinfectant solution comprising an active ingredient.

31. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 30 characterised in that the active ingredient of the disinfectant solution is centrimide BP.

32. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 30 or 31 characterised in that the active ingredient constitutes up to 5% of the disinfectant solution.

33. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 32 characterised in that the active ingredient constitutes up to 1% of the disinfectant solution.

34. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 33 characterised in that the active ingredient constitutes approximately 0.1 % of the disinfectant solution.

35. A cleaning device as claimed in any of Claims 25 to 34 characterised in that the absorbent sheet is folded to fit within the pouch portion.

36. A beverage container characterised in that a cleaning device as claimed in any preceding claim is attached to the beverage container.

37. A beverage container as claimed in Claim 36 characterised in that the cleaning device is releasably attached to the beverage container.

38. A beverage container as claimed in Claim 36 or 37 characterised in that the beverage container is a beverage bottle, and the cleaning device is engaged with the neck of the beverage bottle.

39. A method for facilitating wiping of a beverage container, the method comprising the steps of providing a cleaning device which comprises an absorbent means impregnated with a liquid medium and adapted for wiping the beverage container, the absorbent means being located in a sachet, and providing an engaging means for engaging the beverage container, and attaching the sachet to the beverage container by the engaging means.

40. A method as claimed in Claim 39 characterised in that the engaging means is adapted for releasably engaging the beverage container.

41. A method as claimed in Claim 39 or 40 characterised in that an engagement opening is formed in the engagement means for engaging the container.

42. A method as claimed in Claim 41 characterised in that the engagement opening is adapted for engaging the neck of a beverage bottle.

43. A method as claimed in Claim 41 or 42 characterised in that the engagement opening is a circular opening.

44. A method as claimed in any of Claims 41 to 43 characterised in that the engagement opening defines a neck of a beverage bottle.

45. A method as claimed in any of Claims 39 to 44 characterised in that the sachet comprises a pouch portion within which the absorbent means is located, and the engaging means extends from the pouch portion.

46. A method as claimed in Claim 45 characterised in that the engagement means is integrally formed with the pouch portion.

47. A method as claimed in Claim 45 or 46 characterised in that the pouch portion defines a hollow interior region within which the absorbent means is releasably located.

48. A method as claimed in Claim 47 characterised in that the absorbent means is sealably contained within the hollow interior region defined by the pouch portion.

49. A method as claimed in Claim 47 or 48 characterised in that the pouch portion is formed by a pair of sheet members sealably secured together around their periphery for defining the hollow interior region with the absorbent means sealably located therein.

50. A method as claimed in Claim 49 characterised in that the sheet members are heat sealed together.

51. A method as claimed in Claim 49 or 50 characterised in that the sheet members are pressure sealed together.

52. A method as claimed in any of Claims 45 to 51 characterised in that the sheet members extend from the pouch portion to form the engagement means.

53. A method as claimed in Claim 52 characterised in that the sheet members are laminated together to form the engagement means.

54. A method as claimed in Claim 52 or 53 characterised in that the sheet members are secured together to form the engagement means.

55. A method as claimed in any of Claims 45 to 54 characterised in that a weakened portion is formed in the seal around the periphery of the pouch portion for facilitating tearing of the sheet member for gaining access to the hollow interior region for removing the absorbent means therefrom.

56. A method as claimed in Claim 55 characterised in that the weakened portion is formed by a slit extending into but not through the peripheral seal.

57. A method as claimed in any of Claims 39 to 56 characterised in that the absorbent means comprises an absorbent sheet in the form of a towelette.

58. A method as claimed in Claim 57 characterised in that the absorbent sheet is of a fibre material.

59. A method as claimed in Claim 57 or 58 characterised in that the absorbent sheet is of a non-woven material.

60. A method as claimed in any of Claims 39 to 59 characterised in that the liquid medium with which the absorbent means is impregnated is a solvent solution.

61. A method as claimed in any of Claims 39 to 60 characterised in that the liquid medium with which the absorbent means is impregnated is a disinfectant.

62. A method as claimed in any of Claims 39 to 61 characterised in that the liquid medium with which the absorbent means is impregnated is a disinfectant solution comprising an active ingredient.

63. A method as claimed in Claim 62 characterised in that the active ingredient of the disinfectant solution is centrimide BP.

64. A method as claimed in Claim 62 or 63 characterised in that the active ingredient constitutes up to 5% of the disinfectant solution.

65. A method as claimed in Claim 64 characterised in that the active ingredient constitutes up to 1 % of the disinfectant solution.

66. A method as claimed in Claim 65 characterised in that the active ingredient constitutes approximately 0.1 % of the disinfectant solution.

67. A method as claimed in any of Claims 57 to 66 characterised in that the absorbent sheet is folded to fit within the pouch portion.