Security device for use with a drinks receptacle

Abstract

A security device is provided for use with a drinks receptacle. The security device includes a body portion having a channel defined therethrough. The channel has an inlet and an outlet for the passage of fluid through the channel. The device further includes a cover portion associated with the body portion adjacent the outlet and the cover portion has a plurality of apertures defined therethrough. The body portion of the device is located in an opening of the receptacle for allowing fluid in the receptacle to pass through said channel via the inlet and outlet and out of said apertures of said cover portion. The outlet of the channel is a spaced distance apart and substantially offset from the apertures defined in the cover portion.

1 . A security device for use with a drinks receptacle, said security device including a body portion having at least one channel defined therethrough, said channel having inlet means and outlet means associated therewith, said device further including a cover portion associated with the body portion adjacent the outlet means thereof and said cover portion having one or more apertures defined therethrough, the body portion of the device capable of being located in an opening in the receptacle for allowing matter in the receptacle to pass through said channel via the inlet and outlet means and out of said one or more apertures of said cover portion in use, and wherein the outlet means of said channel is a spaced distance apart and substantially offset from said one or more apertures defined in said cover portion.  
   
   
       2 . A security device according to  claim 1  wherein at least two apertures are provided on the cover portion and said apertures are provided a spaced distance apart with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device.  
   
   
       3 . A security device according to  claim 1  wherein a cavity is provided between the outlet means of said channel and said apertures of said cover portion, said cavity allowing communication between said apertures and said outlet means.  
   
   
       4 . A security device according to  claim 3  wherein walls defining said channel outlet means protrude into said cavity.  
   
   
       5 . A security device according to  claim 4  wherein the internal openings of the apertures of the cover portion face the walls defining the channel outlet means.  
   
   
       6 . A security device according to  claim 1  wherein the security device is integrally formed with the drinks receptacle.  
   
   
       7 . A security device according to  claim 1  wherein engagement means are provided on the device to allow engagement of the device with the drinks receptacle in use.  
   
   
       8 . A security device according to  claim 7  wherein the engagement means are provided on an external surface of the body portion of the device for engagement with the internal surface of the drinks receptacle in use.  
   
   
       9 . A security device according to  claim 7  wherein the engagement means include any or any combination of welding, adhesive, friction fit, one or more clips, barbs, protruding members or resilient members.  
   
   
       10 . A security device according to  claim 9  wherein the one or more protruding members are substantially wedge shaped in form with an angled side wall which has a diverging taper towards the cover portion.  
   
   
       11 . A security device according to  claim 9  wherein the one or more protruding members and/or barbs are formed from substantially resilient material.  
   
   
       12 . A security device according to  claim 1  wherein the apertures on said cover portion are not in linear alignment with the outlet means of said channel.  
   
   
       13 . A security device according to  claim 1  wherein tamper evident means are provided on said device for allowing a user to determine whether unauthorised tampering of the device has taken place.  
   
   
       14 . A security device according to  claim 13  wherein the tamper evident means includes one or more frangible portions.  
   
   
       15 . A security device according to  claim 13  wherein the tamper evident means are provided on the body portion of the device.  
   
   
       16 . A security device according to  claim 1  wherein one or more recesses are provided on an exterior surface of the cover portion.  
   
   
       17 . A security device according to  claim 16  wherein the one or more recesses are provided adjacent the apertures on said cover portion.  
   
   
       18 . A security device according to  claim 1  wherein sealing means are provided for sealing the device in an opening of the drinks receptacle in use.  
   
   
       19 . A security device according to  claim 18  wherein the sealing means are in the form of one or more sealing members provided on or associated with the outer surface of the body portion of the device.  
   
   
       20 . A security device according to  claim 1  wherein the body portion is in the form of an elongate member, with inlet means provided at one end of the elongate member, outlet means provided at the opposite end of the elongate member and at least one channel provided between said inlet and outlet means.  
   
   
       21 . A security device according to  claim 1  wherein the walls of the body portion defining said at least one channel are substantially linear in form.  
   
   
       22 . A security device according to  claim 1  wherein the outer surface of the cover portion is substantially hemispherical or dome shaped in form.  
   
   
       23 . A security device according to  claim 1  wherein the number and/or size of the apertures in the cover portion are such that the total surface area of the same is substantially equal to the surface area of the outlet means or inlet means of the at least one channel.  
   
   
       24 . A security device according to  claim 1  wherein a cap is provided for location over at least the apertures of the cover portion when in a closed position.  
   
   
       25 . A security device according to  claim 24  wherein the cap is attached to the security device via any or any combination of friction fit, hinged or pivotable means, one or more clips or complementary screw thread arrangement.  
   
   
       26 . A security device according to  claim 1  wherein with the device fitted in a drinks receptacle, the cover portion protrudes from the opening of the receptacle and a whole or substantial portion of the body portion is located in the drinks receptacle.  
   
   
       27 . A drinks receptacle with a security device according to  claim 1.