Method for monitoring the dispensing of an alcoholic beverage a container

Abstract

A method of handling an alcoholic beverage in a container, the method comprising the steps of: at a first location, obtaining an alcoholic beverage in a container having an unopened state, an unsealed/closed state, and an opened state; changing the container, or having the container changed, from the unopened state into the unsealed/closed state; obtaining a closure system that is operably engageable with the container and having first and second states; placing the closure system in the first state in operative engagement, or having the closure system placed in the first state in operative engagement, with the container in one of the unsealed/closed state and opened state; and transporting the closure system from the first location to a second location with the closure system maintained in the first state and operatively engaged with the container.

1 . A method of handling an alcoholic beverage in a container, the method comprising the steps of:
 at a first location, obtaining an alcoholic beverage provided in a storage space defined by a container having an unopened state, an unsealed/closed state, and an opened state,   the alcoholic beverage confined to the storage space and incapable of being dispensed with the container in each of the unopened state and unsealed/closed state and capable of being dispensed from the storage space for consumption by a user with the container in the opened state,   the container further capable of being changed by a user from the unsealed/closed state into the opened state and back into the unsealed/closed state;   changing the container, or having the container changed, from the unopened state into the unsealed/closed state in a manner whereby the container cannot be changed from the unsealed/closed state precisely back into the unopened state as a consequence of which it can be determined by inspection that the container was changed from the unopened state into the unsealed/closed state;   obtaining a closure system that is operably engageable with the container and having first and second states;   placing the closure system in the first state in operative engagement, or having the closure system placed in the first state in operative engagement, with the container in one of the unsealed/closed state and opened state so that the closure system in the first state thereby prevents dispensing of the alcoholic beverage in the container from the storage space for consumption by a user,   the closure system configured so that it is detectably changed from the first state into the second state in a manner whereby the closure system cannot be changed from the second state precisely back into the first state, as a consequence of which it can be determined by inspection that the closure system was changed from the first state into the second state,   the alcoholic beverage in the container accessible for consumption by a user by changing the closure system from the first state into the second state as a result of which the container is accessible in the opened state, or can be thereafter changed from the unsealed/closed state into the opened state by a user; and   transporting the closure system from the first location to a second location with the closure system maintained in the first state and operatively engaged with the container in the one of the unsealed/closed state and opened state.   
   
   
       2 . The method of handling an alcoholic beverage in a container according to  claim 1  wherein the step of transporting the closure system comprises transporting the closure system from a bar or restaurant in a motor vehicle to the second location. 
   
   
       3 . The method of handling an alcoholic beverage in a container according to  claim 1  wherein the step of obtaining an alcoholic beverage comprises obtaining an alcoholic beverage at a bar or restaurant. 
   
   
       4 . The method of handling an alcoholic beverage in a container according to  claim 1  wherein the step of transporting the closure system comprises transporting the closure system from the first location to the second location in a motor vehicle. 
   
   
       5 . The method of handling an alcoholic beverage in a container according to  claim 1  further comprising the steps of changing the container, or causing the container to be changed, from the unsealed/closed state into the opened state and dispensing alcoholic beverage or causing alcoholic beverage to be dispensed at the first location. 
   
   
       6 . The method of handling an alcoholic beverage in a container according to  claim 1  wherein the step of changing the container, or having the container changed, from the unopened state into the unsealed/closed state comprises the step of tearing or rupturing an element or causing the tearing or rupturing of an element. 
   
   
       7 . The method of handling an alcoholic beverage in a container according to  claim 5  wherein the step of changing the container or causing the container to be changed, from the unsealed/closed state into the opened state comprises separating an element from the container. 
   
   
       8 . The method of handling an alcoholic beverage in a container according to  claim 7  wherein the element is cork. 
   
   
       9 . The method of handling an alcoholic beverage in a container according to  claim 1  further comprising the step of changing the closure system from the first state into the second state and thereby changing the container into the opened state at the second location. 
   
   
       10 . The method of handling an alcoholic beverage in a container according to  claim 1  further comprising the steps of changing the closure system from the first state into the second state and thereafter accessing the container and changing the container from the unsealed/closed state into the open state at the second location.