WO2010013009A1

WO2010013009A1 - An absorbent collar for a bottle

Info

Publication number: WO2010013009A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/001880
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nathan Long; Ian Robert Beardsall
Original assignee: Hugo & Henry Ltd
Current assignee: Hugo & Henry Ltd
Priority date: 2008-07-30
Filing date: 2009-07-30
Publication date: 2010-02-04
Anticipated expiration: 2011-01-30

Abstract

The invention provides an absorbent collar for absorbing drips from a bottle, the collar comprising an outer layer of a liquid resistant material and an inner layer of a liquid absorbing material, the collar being configured to sit about a neck or shoulder of a bottle so that the liquid absorbing layer is in contact with the bottle around substantially the entire circumference of the bottle, the collar optionally having detachably secured thereto a display panel for displaying information and/or advertising material.

Description

ANABSORBENT COLLARFORABOTTLE

This invention relates to an absorbent collar for catching drips of liquid from a bottle such as a wine bottle.

Background of the Invention

A well known problem encountered when pouring a liquid such as wine from a bottle is that, after pouring, a residual drop of liquid often remains on the neck of the bottle. Unless care is taken to wipe the bottle to remove the drop, the drop will typically run down the outer surface of the bottle on to the underlying surface. In the case of a strongly coloured liquid such as red wine, this can lead to staining of an underlying surface, such as a table cloth, as well as soiling any label present on the bottle.

Various solutions to the abovementioned problem have been have been proposed, see for example GB 265214, US 3063590, FR 2622425 and US 2005/0199579. However, for various reasons, none of the aforesaid solutions are considered to be entirely satisfactory

Summary of the Invention

The present invention sets out to provide an improved means of catching drips from bottles such as wine bottles whilst at the same time providing additional space on a bottle for presenting advertising and marketing information and materials.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides an absorbent collar for absorbing drips from a bottle, the collar comprising an outer layer of a liquid resistant material and an inner layer of a liquid absorbing material, the collar being configured to sit about a neck or shoulder of a bottle so that the liquid absorbing layer is in contact with the bottle around substantially the entire circumference of the bottle, the collar optionally having detachably secured thereto a display panel for displaying information and/or advertising material.

In use, the collar is placed over the neck of a bottle and moved down (or allowed to slide down) the neck so that it comes to rest on the shoulder of the bottle, i.e. the region of the bottle where it flares out from the lower end of the neck. The collar is shaped so that the liquid absorbing layer is in contact with the bottle around substantially the entire circumference of the bottle's circumference. Consequently, after liquid (e.g. wine) has been poured from the bottle and the bottle has been restored to an upright position, any residual liquid running down the neck of the bottle is absorbed by the absorbent material.

The collar is preferably flared outwardly at or towards a lower end thereof, and more preferably is substantially frustoconical in shape over at least the upper portion of the collar. When in this form, an upper edge of the absorbent inner layer will typically be in contact with the bottle.

In a less preferred embodiment, the collar is substantially cylindrical, in which case a lower edge of the collar will typically be in contact with the bottle.

It is preferred that an upper edge of the absorbent inner layer is recessed relative to an upper edge of the outer layer. For example, the upper edge of the inner layer can be recessed by a distance of at least 2 mm, more particularly by a distance of 2-8 mm, for example by a distance of 3-6 mm, and most preferably by a distance of 4-5 mm.

The absorbent inner layer may extend to the bottom edge of the outer layer or may extend only part way down the outer layer. For example, the absorbent inner layer may take the form of a band of a depth between 1 and 2.5 cm.

The absorbent inner layer is made sufficiently thick to ensure that the outer layer is spaced away from the bottle thereby preventing or minimising the possibility that drops of liquid may spill over on to the surface of the collar. Typically, therefore, the absorbent inner layer has a thickness of 2-15 mm, more typically a thickness of 2-10 mm, and more preferably a thickness of 3 -5 mm.

The absorbent inner layer may be formed from a range of different materials but typically it comprises a cellulosic fibre material optionally in combination with one or more ancillary materials. The cellulosic fibre material is typically obtained from wood pulp and in particular wood pulp from softwoods. Particular cellulosic materials of interest are materials formed from air laid cellulose fibres, for example air laid papers or blankets. Wet laid cellulosic materials may also be used but are less preferred.

In order to enhance the absorbency of the cellulosic fibre materials, they may incorporate super-absorbent materials such as cross-linked polyacrylates and other super-absorbent cross linked polymers.

The absorbent inner layer typically has an absorbency of 600 to 10,000 ml liquid (e.g. water) per square metre, and more usually from 4,000 to 6,000 ml liquid (water) per square metre, e.g. about 5,000 ml per square metre.

The outer layer is formed from a material which is resistant to the liquid in a bottle on which the collar is to be mounted. Thus, typically, it is resistant to water or aqueous liquids such as wine or vinegar or oil-based liquids such as olive oil.

The outer layer may therefore be formed from a card material treated to render it resistant to the liquid contents of the bottle. For example, the card may be provided with a polymer coating or wax coating. Alternatively, the card may have laminated thereto one or more polymer layers. As an alternative to card, the outer layer may be formed from a polymeric film or sheet, or a metal foil or a laminate of polymeric and metal foil layers.

Whilst it is preferable that the outer layer is impermeable to the liquid within the bottle, this is not essential provided that the outer layer is at least resistant to the liquid and is less absorbent than the inner layer.

The outer and inner layers are bonded together, for example by means of an adhesive, e.g. a water-based or solvent-based adhesive, or a hot melt adhesive. Examples of adhesives include polyvinyl acrylates and polyvinylacetates, and hot melt adhesives such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyethylene.

It will be appreciated however that a wide variety of different adhesives may be used. For storage and transportation purposes, the absorbent collar will typically be provided in a flattened form. To assist folding into a flattened form, the collar may be provided with one or more downwardly oriented lines of perforations or score lines.

The panel can be formed from a single piece of a laminate comprising the outer and inner layers, or it can be formed from more than one piece.

In one preferred embodiment, the collar is formed from a single piece of laminate.

In another embodiment, the collar is formed from a pair of pieces of laminate connected together to form the collar.

A connecting means (also referred to elsewhere herein as a holding portion) may be provided to connect the two pieces of laminate together to form the collar. The connecting means may, for example, be formed from an elasticised material, preferably an elasticised absorbent material.

In one embodiment, the collar comprises a pair of bibs connected together by a connecting means to form the collar, each bib having an outer layer and inner layer as hereinbefore defined. The bibs may be, for example, substantially shield-shaped.

In one preferred embodiment, the absorbent collar has a display panel detachably secured to the exterior of the outer layer of the collar. The display panel can extend around substantially the entire circumference of the collar or only part of the circumference. The display panel provides a surface on which advertising materials or other information can be presented. For example, the display panel may be used to provide details of special price offers or competitions or any of a wide variety of types of promotional material and information relating to the bottles and their contents when on display in a store. In another embodiment, the display panel can bear a brand name or logo or a design.

One or more display panels may be detachably secured to the exterior of the outer layer of the collar. For example, a pair of display panels may be detachably secured to the collar. Each of the pair of display panels may extend around approximately half the circumference of the collar.

The display panel(s) may be formed integrally with the outer layer of the collar or may be formed separately.

Where the display panel(s) and collar are formed separately, the display panel may be secured to the outer layer of the collar by means of a peelable adhesive or secured by means of a non-peelable adhesive and a frangible (e.g. perforated) link provided to enable the display panel to be torn away. Alternatively, when they are formed integrally, the display panel may be secured to the outer layer of the collar by means of a frangible link such as row of perforations.

After purchase of a product bearing the absorbent collar of the invention, the outer display layer can be peeled off leaving the collar itself remaining in place.

The outer layer may also bear printed matter, for example brand names or logos or designs, or other advertising matter.

In another aspect, the invention provides a product comprising a bottle having mounted thereon an absorbent collar as defined herein.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a bottle drip catcher comprising a holding portion for holding the drip catcher on a bottle, in use, and at least one display portion connected to the holding portion, wherein the or each display portion comprises a removable display means.

This aspect of the present invention is directed to a combination drip catching and display device which provides a new method for catching undesirable residues spilling from the lips of bottles, wherein the device incorporates a removable display device for personalised or corporate marketing.

The device according to this aspect of the invention can be made from (or comprise) a suitable absorbent substance such as cellulose, porous blotting paper or tissue paper. The device is usable with a wide range of bottles of different kinds but it is particularly suitable for use in serving wines, liqueurs and the like. The device can be provided for single use (disposable) or multiple uses.

In one embodiment, the device can take the form of a dual bib poncho design which fits directly over the head of the bottle and is secured snugly in place by affixing means.

In this application, the terms "absorbent collar" and "drip catcher" are used interchangeably and are intended to be synonymous, unless the context indicates otherwise. Similarly, a removable panel included for display purposes and for carrying advertising and other information may be referred to variously as a

"display panel" or a "display device", the two terms being used as synonyms unless the context requires otherwise.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a side view of an absorbent collar according to a first embodiment of the invention but with an outer display panel omitted.

Figure 2 is a view from above of the absorbent collar shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side sectional view along line I-I in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view from direction D in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a side sectional view showing the absorbent collar mounted on the neck and shoulder of a bottle.

Figure 6 is a sectional side elevation of an absorbent collar similar to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5 but with an outer display panel attached.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the drip catcher with display device in place.

Figure 8 illustrates a close up cross section showing how the residual drips for the bottle are absorbed and distributed within the bib and demonstrating how the residual drips are contained and are unable to bypass the membrane VII to soil the display device VII/IX.

Figure 9 is a close up cross section of holding portion III which forms part of the drip catching device and sits on top of elements IV and V so as to fit snugly against the neck of the bottle.

Figure 10 is illustrates the front and rear surfaces of one panel of a display device.

Figure 11 is a side view of a front bib showing the layering of the bonded materials in one half of the drip catcher.

Figure 12 is a side elevation of a rear bib showing the layering of the bonded materials in the other half of the drip catcher.

Figure 13 is a side elevation of another panel of the display device, showing the front and rear surfaces of the panel.

Figure 14 is an exploded view of the front bib showing the layering of materials VI, VII and VIII in one half of the drip catcher.

Figure 15 is an exploded view of the rear bib showing the layering of materials VI, VII and VIII in the other half of the drip catcher.

Figure 16 is a side elevation of the drip catcher device according to an embodiment of the invention including an attached display device.

Figure 17 is a view of the front bib of the drip catcher of Figures 7 to 16.

Figure 18 is a view of the rear bib of the drip catcher of Figures 7 to 16.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will now be illustrated in greater detail, but not limited, by reference to the specific embodiments described in the following non-limiting examples.

An absorbent collar or drip catcher according to a first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 1 to 5. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, an absorbent collar 2 according to one embodiment of the invention 2 has a generally frustoconical upper portion 4 and a cut away lower end 6.

The collar 2 comprises an outer layer 8 formed from a water resistant card or polymeric film material and an inner layer 10 of an absorbent material. In this embodiment, the inner layer 10 only extends part way down the length of the collar, but it could if desired extend further down the collar or even to the bottom of the collar.

The upper edge 10a of the inner layer 10 is recessed by a distance d with respect to the upper edge 8a of the outer layer. In this embodiment, d may be 4-5 mm.

The inner layer 10 is formed from an absorbent air laid cellulosic fibre material having a water absorbency of about 5,000 ml per square metre and a thickness of 3- 5 mm.

The outer 8 and inner 10 layers are bonded together by means of an adhesive, e.g. a water-based or solvent-based adhesive such as polyvinyl acrylate or polyvinylacetate adhesives.

Figure 5 illustrates schematically the absorbent collar catcher of Figures 1 to 4 located on a bottle, for example a wine bottle.

As can be seen, the collar of the absorbent collar rests on the upper part of the shoulder S of the bottle. In the absence of the absorbent collar, after liquid (e.g. wine) has been poured from the bottle, any residual drips of liquid left around the mouth of the bottle when it is restored to an upright position after pouring would normally run down the bottle, typically giving rise to unsightly staining of the label on the bottle and staining of an underlying surface such as a table cloth. By using the absorbent collar of the present invention, this problem is solved or at least is greatly reduced. Thus, any liquid running down the neck of the bottle and into the recess created by the upper end of the outer later 8 will come into contact with the absorbent inner layer 10 and will rapidly be absorbed. The thickness of the inner absorbent layer 10 ensures that the outer layer 8 is spaced away for the surface of the bottle and therefore the liquid does not come into contact with the outer layer or, if it does, does not spill over on to the outer surface of the outer layer. The absorbency of the absorbent layer 10 is such that it can readily absorb at least several millilitres of liquid and typically considerably more before becoming saturated. Because the upper edge of the inner absorbent layer 10 is recessed with regard to the outer layer, the liquid absorbed by the collar remains concealed.

The absorbent collar shown in Figures 1 to 5 can be made by die cutting from a sheet or strip of card an appropriately shaped blank having a generally arc-shaped upper edge. The card may be one which has been treated with a polymer on both sides thereof to render it water-proof or water resistant. To the die cut blank is glued (using a polyvinylacrylate or polyvinyl acetate adhesive) an arc-shaped piece of the cellulosic absorbent material. The resulting partially assembled blank is then folded into the shape of a truncated cone and a flap or tab 14 at one edge of the blank is bonded to the outer surface of the other edge of the blank using polyvinylacrylate or polyvinyl acetate adhesive. By bonding the tab to the outer surface of the outer layer (as can be seen more clearly in Figure 2, any discontinuity in the inner absorbent layer is avoided or minimised.

Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5 except that a display panel 30 is attached to the outer surface of the outer layer 8 of the collar. The display panel can be wrapped around the entire circumference of the collar, as shown in Figure 6, or around only part of the circumference. The display panel is attached to the outer layer of the collar by means of a peelable adhesive. The peelable adhesive can be applied to the entire surface of the display panel or can be applied to selected locations to form adhesive zones. For example, adhesive zones can be created at either edge of the display panel and optionally at various locations between the edges.

The outer surface of the display panel may be used to bear advertising messages, for example advertising details relating to sales promotions involving the product to which the drip catcher is applied. After purchase of a product bearing the absorbent collar, the outer display panel can be peeled off or otherwise detached leaving the collar remaining in place. The outer surface of the absorbent collar may also bear advertising material or information, for example relating to the contents of the bottle.

Thus, the absorbent collar of the invention performs both a technical function, in that it provides an efficient means of mopping up drips left after pouring from a bottle, and an advertising function in that it increases the space available on a bottle for presenting advertising or marketing information.

The absorbent collar of the invention is of simple construction and lends itself readily to mass production, an important requirement if a product is to be commercially viable.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 7 to 18.

In Figures 7 to 18, the key to the various elements shown in the drawings is as follows:

I bottle

II residual drip

III holding portion

IV front bib

V rear bib

VI absorbent material

VII membrane

VIII front surface of display device

IX rear surface of display device

X "peel here" tab for assisting removal of display device

XI direction of flex

XII pivot point

XIII commercial text

XIV elasticised absorbent material

In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the absorbent collar or "drip catcher" takes the form of a dual bib poncho design comprising front IV and rear V bibs connected together by means of a holding portion III to form a collar. As can be seen more clearly in Figures 11 and 12, the front bib IV resembles a shield that can be, for example, 103 mm at its longest point and 78 mm at its widest point. The rear bib V is of similar shape but is shorter and a little "boxier". The rear bib V can be, for example, 82 mm at its longest point and 82 mm at its widest point. The foregoing dimensions are given by way of example only and it will be appreciated that the lengths and widths of the bibs, and their shapes, may vary.

The two bibs IV and V are connected together by a holding portion III, a part of which is shown in Figure 9. The holding portion III, which is connected to the tops of the bibs IV and V, is formed from an absorbent material. The shield-shaped bibs IV and V are each formed from several layers as can be seen more clearly in Figures 8, 14 and 15. Thus, each bib IV, V comprises an absorbent base material VI bonded to a non-permeable membrane VII, then a layer of light tack adhesive and a layer of surface material VIII which forms a display panel or display device. The layer of surface material, which is adapted for printing purposes, is formed from a light, flexible and robust material and has a glazed finish.

On the undersides of the two connected bibs IV and V, where the rear bib V fits under the front bib IV, there are two sections or gussets of fine elasticised (typically absorbent) material XIV (shown by means of the dotted lines in Figure 16) which hold the bibs IV and V together in the correct configuration to ensure a snug fit against a bottle, thereby preventing the bibs from falling off when the bottle is tipped. By way of example, each bib may have an overall thickness of approximately 3 mm.

The display devices or panels VIII and IX are illustrated in Figures 10 and 13. The display devices VIII and IX are each held in position on the drip catcher by means of a light tack adhesive. Each device VIII and IX has a "peel here" tab X to assist the user to remove the display device. The front and rear surfaces XIII of the display devices VIII and IX both contain commercial text, for example product information or promotional or advertising material. The arrangement of the two bibs IV and V and their connection to the holding portion III creates a pivot point XII (see Figures 7 and 16) which enables the two bibs to be flexed apart in the directions XI shown. The flexibility of the arrangement means that the drip catcher of the invention can be fitted over bottles having a range of sizes and shapes.

The drip catcher of Figures 7 to 18 can be made by preparing stencils or templates for each of the component parts of the bibs and then cutting and assembling the various component parts using the following instructions:

(i) Take a stencil for the front and rear bibs and cut out the designs from an absorbent material VI.

(ii) Place the cut out front and rear bib designs onto a neck of a bottle so that the portion of material for the larger bib sits on the front and the portion of material for the smaller bib sits on the rear making sure that the front bib overlaps the back by an equal distance on each side. (iii) Mark the rear portion of material to indicate where it overlaps with the front portion of material; this will provide a guide line as to where the elasticised material XIV should be attached. In order to achieve a snug fit against the bottle, the elasticised material should be secured 5 mm in from each of the guide lines. The absorbent material should now have the required shape with the right amount of flexibility to fit snugly about the bottle.

(iv) Take a stencil for the membrane VII and cut out the required shapes from an impermeable membrane material and bond onto the portions of absorbent material VI using a strong adhesive ensuring that the edges of the absorbent material and the membrane material are aligned. (v) Using the stencils for the display device VIII, cut out the display device panels. Apply a low tack adhesive to the edges of the panels and affix the panels to the membrane-absorbent material laminate.

(vi) Take a length of elasticised absorbent material 11 mm wide and adhere it to the top edges of the bibs, wrapping it around the abutting edges of the membrane and absorbent material. The bottom edge of the length of elasticised absorbent material will overlap the display device or panel by about 1 mm. However, the lower edge of the length of elasticised absorbent material should be left free from adhesive so that both the front and rear adhesive devices or panels can be readily removed.

The foregoing method is suitable for manufacturing a prototype version of the drip catcher but it will readily be appreciated that in a manufacturing method for large scale production, the number of cutting and bonding steps would preferably be reduced. For example, the impermeable membrane material could be bonded to the absorbent material to form large rolls or sheets from which the various panels could be cut using mechanized cutters such as die cutting machines.

Equivalents

It will readily be apparent that numerous modifications and alterations may be made to the specific embodiments of the invention described above without departing from the principles underlying the invention. AU such modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by this application.

Claims

1. An absorbent collar for absorbing drips from a bottle, the collar comprising an outer layer of a liquid resistant material and an inner layer of a liquid absorbing material, the collar being configured to sit about a neck or shoulder of a bottle so that the liquid absorbing layer is in contact with the bottle around substantially the entire circumference of the bottle, the collar optionally having detachably secured thereto a display panel for displaying information and/or advertising material.

2. An absorbent collar according to claim 1 which is flared outwardly at or towards a lower end thereof.

3. An absorbent collar according to claim 1 which is substantially frustoconical in shape over at least an upper portion of the collar.

4. An absorbent layer according to any one of the preceding claims wherein an upper edge of the inner layer is recessed relative to an upper edge of the outer layer.

5. An absorbent collar according to claim 4 wherein the upper edge of the inner layer is recessed by a distance of at least 2 mm.

6. An absorbent collar according to claim 5 wherein the upper edge of the inner layer is recessed by a distance of 2-8 mm.

7. An absorbent collar according to claim 6 wherein the upper edge of the inner layer is recessed by a distance of 3-6 mm, preferably 4-5 mm.

8. An absorbent collar according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the inner layer has a radial thickness of 2-15 mm.

9. An absorbent collar according to claim 8 wherein the inner layer has a radial thickness of 2-10 mm, and more preferably 3-5 mm.

10. An absorbent collar according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the inner layer is formed from a cellulosic fibre material.

11. An absorbent collar according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the inner layer has an absorbency of 600 to 10,000 ml liquid (e.g. water) per square metre.

12. An absorbent collar according to claim 11 wherein the inner layer has an absorbency of 4,000 to 6,000 ml liquid (water) per square metre, e.g. about 5,000 ml per square metre.

13. An absorbent collar according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer layer is comprises a water-resistant card or a polymeric film.

14. An absorbent collar according to any one of the preceding claims having a display panel detachably secured to the exterior of the outer layer.

15. An absorbent collar according to claim 14 wherein the display panel is secured to the outer layer of the collar by means of a peelable adhesive.

16. An absorbent collar according to claim 15 wherein the display panel is secured to the outer layer of the collar by means of a frangible link such as row of perforations.

17. An absorbent collar according to claim 14 wherein the display panel extends around substantially the entire circumference of the collar.

18. An absorbent collar according to any one of the preceding claims which is provided with one or more downwardly lines of perforations or score lines to assist folding of the collar into a flattened configuration for storage.

19. An absorbent collar substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. A product comprising a bottle having mounted thereon an absorbent collar as defined in any one of the preceding claims.