Bottle security device

• US 7,004,340 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2003
• Issued: 02/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC. (CCL Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Alpha Security Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Belden, Dennis D. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Newhouse, Nathan J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ELOSHWAY, NIKI MARINA
• Application Number:
  US10/626,970
• Publication Number:
  US 20050017865A1
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 215/215, 215/206, 215/207, 215/218, 215/219, 215/220, 215/221, 215/225, 215/302, 215/204, 215/253, 215/278, 215/272, 215/274, 215/216, 215/277, 215/293, 220/255.1, 220/210, 220/259.3, 220/259.5, 220/284
• US Class Current: 215/215
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/14 Applications of locks, e.g. of permutation or key-controlled locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0041 for essentially round objects, e.g. bottles or racket handles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7486 Single key

Abstract

A bottle security device includes an inner member, an intermediate member and an outer member that cooperate to lock the device on a bottle neck. The inner member includes a plurality of fingers adapted to fit under the bead on a bottle neck. The intermediate member slides over the inner member and forces the fingers against the bottle. The intermediate member includes a plurality of upwardly extending arms with inwardly projecting teeth that engage outwardly extending teeth on the inner member to lock the inner and intermediate members together. A key unlocks and rotates a rotatable member to separate the intermediate and inner members to unlock the device. Upon rotation of the cover cap, camming surfaces on the rotatable member engage the upwardly extending arms to move them radially outward to disengage them from the inner member.

Claims

1. A bottle security device for use with a bottle having a neck, the bottle security device comprising:

an inner member including a plurality of downwardly extending locking fingers adapted to fit around at least a portion of the neck of the bottle;

an intermediate member defining a cavity;

a portion of each locking finger of the inner member being disposed in the intermediate member cavity;

the inner member being moveable between locked and unlocked positions;

an outer member defining a cavity;

a portion of the intermediate member and a portion of the inner member being disposed in the outer member cavity;

a rotatable member that engages and moves a portion of the intermediate member to unlock the device when the rotatable member is rotated; and

a locking mechanism which selectively allows the rotatable member to move between a rotatable member locked position and a rotatable member unlocked position.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the rotatable member is disposed one of substantially and entirely within the outer member cavity.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the entire rotatable member is disposed above the inner member when the device is locked on the bottle.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the inner member automatically moves from the locked position to the unlocked position when the rotatable member is rotated.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein locking fingers are resilient and move radially outwardly when the inner member moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the intermediate member includes a camming surface which the resilient locking fingers slidingly engage with outward pressure so that outward movement of the locking fingers is translated to downward movement of the inner member to create the automatic movement of the inner member from the locked to the unlocked position.

7. The device of claim 1 further including an EAS tag disposed within the cavity of the outer member.

8. A bottle security device for use with a bottle having a neck, the bottle security device comprising:

an inner member adapted to fit around at least a portion of the neck of the bottle;

an intermediate member defining a cavity;

a portion of the inner member being disposed in the intermediate member cavity;

the inner member being moveable between locked and unlocked positions;

an outer member defining a cavity;

a portion of the intermediate member and a portion of the inner member being disposed in the outer member cavity;

a rotatable member that engages and moves a portion of the intermediate member to unlock the device when the rotatable member is rotated; and

a locking mechanism which selectively allows the rotatable member to move between a rotatable member locked position and a rotatable member unlocked position;

the locking mechanism including at least one magnetically movable piston which creates an interference between the rotatable member and another member of the device when in the rotatable member locked position.

9. The device of claim 8 further including a spring which biases the at least one piston into locking engagement between the rotatable member and the other member of the device.

10. A bottle security device for use with a bottle having a neck, the bottle security device comprising:

an inner member including a plurality of downwardly extending locking fingers adapted to fit around at least a portion of the neck of the bottle;

an intermediate member defining a cavity;

a portion of each locking finger of the inner member being disposed in the intermediate member cavity;

the inner member being moveable between locked and unlocked positions;

wherein the intermediate member includes at least one engaging finger;

an outer member defining a cavity;

a portion of the intermediate member and a portion of the inner member being disposed in the outer member cavity; and

a rotatable member that engages and moves the at least one engaging finger to unlock the device when the rotatable member is rotated.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the at least one engaging finger moves radially outwardly to unlock the device.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein one of the rotatable member and the at least one engaging finger includes a camming surface which engages the other of the rotatable member and the at least one engaging finger to move the at least one finger radially outwardly to unlock the device when the rotatable member is rotated.

13. The device of claim 10 wherein the at least one engaging finger extends upwardly from adjacent a lower end of the outer member.

14. A bottle security device for use with a bottle having a neck, the bottle security device comprising:

an inner member including a plurality of downwardly extending locking fingers adapted to fit around at least a portion of the neck of the bottle;

an intermediate member defining a cavity;

a portion of each locking finger of the inner member being disposed in the intermediate member cavity;

the inner member being moveable between locked and unlocked positions;

an outer member defining a cavity;

a portion of the intermediate member and a portion of the inner member being disposed in the outer member cavity; and

a rotatable member that engages and moves a portion of the intermediate member to unlock the device when the rotatable member is rotated;

wherein one of the rotatable member and the intermediate member includes a camming surface which engages the other of the rotatable member and the intermediate member to move a portion of the intermediate member to unlock the device when the rotatable member is rotated.

15. A bottle security device for use with a bottle having a neck, the bottle security device comprising:

an inner member adapted to fit around at least a portion of the neck of the bottle;

an intermediate member defining a cavity;

a portion of the inner member being disposed in the intermediate member cavity;

the inner member being moveable between locked and unlocked positions;

an outer member defining a cavity;

a portion of the intermediate member and a portion of the inner member being disposed in the outer member cavity; and

a rotatable member that engages and moves a portion of the intermediate member to unlock the device when the rotatable member is rotated;

wherein the rotatable member has a rotated position which unlocks the device, a non-rotated position, a locked position and an unlocked position;

the rotatable member must be in the non-rotated position to move from the unlocked position to the locked position;

a force must be applied to move the rotatable member from the non-rotated position to the rotated position; and

wherein the rotatable member automatically returns to at least the rotatable member unlocked and non-rotated positions when the force is removed.

16. The device of claim 15, further comprising a resilient member that returns the rotatable member to the non-rotated position.

17. The device of claim 15 further including a magnetic key which engages the rotatable member to move the rotatable member from the locked position to the unlocked position and from the non-rotated position to the rotated position;

and wherein the rotatable member automatically returns to the rotatable member locked position when the key is disengaged from the rotatable member.

18. A bottle security device for use with a bottle having a neck, the bottle security device comprising:

an inner member adapted to fit around at least a portion of the neck of the bottle;

an intermediate member defining a cavity;

a portion of the inner member being disposed in the intermediate member cavity;

the inner member being moveable between locked and unlocked positions;

an outer member defining a cavity;

a portion of the intermediate member and a portion of the inner member being disposed in the outer member cavity;

a rotatable member that engages and moves a portion of the intermediate member to unlock the device when the rotatable member is rotated; and

the inner member being disposed entirely within the intermediate member when the device is locked on the bottle.

19. A bottle security device for use with a bottle having a neck, the bottle security device comprising:

an inner member including a plurality of downwardly extending locking fingers adapted to fit around at least a portion of the neck of the bottle;

the inner member being moveable between locked and unlocked positions;

an outer member having a sidewall defining a cavity;

a portion of the inner member being disposed in the cavity;

at least one engaging finger projecting upwardly within the cavity between the outer member sidewall and the locking fingers and engaging the inner member to lock the device;

a rotatable member which is selectively rotatable to unlock the device; and

one of the rotatable member and the at least one engaging finger including a camming surface which engages the other of the rotatable member and the engaging finger to move the engaging finger radially to unlock the device when the rotatable member is rotated.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein the at least one engaging finger includes a plurality of engaging fingers;

wherein the rotatable member includes a plurality of outwardly extending arms which respectively engage the plurality of engaging fingers along respective camming surfaces to move the engaging fingers radially to unlock the device when the rotatable member is rotated.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein the rotatable member includes a top wall and a sidewall extending downwardly therefrom;

and wherein the plurality of arms extend outwardly from the sidewall.

22. The device of claim 20 wherein the outer member includes an annular top wall defining an entrance opening of the outer member cavity;

wherein a portion of the rotatable member is disposed within the entrance opening; and

wherein the plurality of arms are disposed within the outer member cavity and engage the annular top wall to prevent removal of the rotatable member through the entrance opening.

23. The device of claim 19 wherein the outer member includes a top wall defining an entrance opening of the outer member cavity;

wherein a portion of the rotatable member is disposed within the outer member cavity and engages the top wall to prevent removal of the rotatable member through the entrance opening.

24. The device of claim 23 wherein the at least one engaging finger includes a plurality of engaging fingers;

wherein the portion of the rotatable member which engages the outer member top wall respectively engages the plurality of engaging fingers along respective camming surfaces to move the engaging fingers radially to unlock the device when the rotatable member is rotated.

25. A bottle security device for use with a bottle having a neck, the bottle security device comprising:

an inner member adapted to fit around at least a portion of the neck of the bottle;

the inner member being moveable between locked and unlocked positions;

an outer member defining a cavity;

a portion of the inner member being disposed in the cavity;

at least one finger projecting upwardly within the cavity and engaging the inner member to lock the device;

a rotatable member which is selectively rotatable to unlock the device;

one of the rotatable member and the at least one finger including a camming surface which engages the other of the rotatable member and the finger to move the finger radially to unlock the device when the rotatable member is rotated; and

a magnetically actuated locking mechanism which selectively allows the rotatable member to move between a rotatable member locked position and a rotatable member unlocked position.

26. The device of claim 25 wherein the rotatable member has a rotated position which unlocks the device and a non-rotated position which the rotatable member must be in to move from the unlocked position to the locked position;

a force must be applied to move the rotatable member from the non-rotated position to the rotated position; and

wherein a resilient member returns the rotatable member to the non-rotated position when the force is removed.

27. The device of claim 26 wherein the locking mechanism is disposed within the cavity of the outer member.

28. The device of claim 27 further including an EAS tag disposed within the cavity of the outer member.

29. The device of claim 28 wherein the outer member includes a sidewall having an inner surface and wherein the device further includes a plurality of strengthening fingers extending upwardly inside the outer member cavity and abutting the inner surface of the outer member sidewall.

30. A bottle security device for use with a bottle having a neck, the bottle security device comprising:

an inner member including a plurality of downwardly extending locking fingers adapted to fit around at least a portion of the neck of the bottle;

an intermediate member defining a cavity;

a portion of each locking finger of the inner member being disposed in the intermediate member cavity;

the inner member being moveable between locked and unlocked positions;

an outer member defining a cavity;

a portion of the intermediate member and a portion of the inner member being disposed in the outer member cavity;

a plurality of resilient fingers which extend upwardly inside the outer member cavity and selectively lockably engage the inner member;

a rotatable member that engages and moves a portion of the intermediate member to unlock the device when the rotatable member is rotated; and

wherein the rotatable member moves the resilient fingers to unlock the device when the rotatable member is rotated.

31. A bottle security device for use with a bottle having a neck, the bottle security device comprising:

an inner member adapted to fit around at least a portion of the neck of the bottle;

the inner member being moveable between locked and unlocked positions;

an outer member defining a cavity and having a sidewall with an inner surface;

a portion of the inner member being disposed in the outer member cavity;

a plurality of resilient engaging fingers extending upwardly inside the outer member cavity and selectively lockably engaging the inner member to lock the device;

wherein each engaging finger is disposed entirely inwardly of the inner surface of the outer member sidewall; and

a plurality of strengthening fingers extending upwardly inside the outer member cavity and abutting the inner surface of the outer member sidewall.

32. The device of claim 31 wherein the outer member has a lower end;

and wherein the strengthening fingers extend upwardly from adjacent the lower end of the outer member.

33. The device of claim 31 wherein the strengthening fingers are disposed between the inner member and the outer member sidewall to help prevent deformation of the outer member sidewall.

34. A bottle security device for use with a bottle having a neck, the bottle security device comprising:

an inner member adapted to fit around at least a portion of the neck of the bottle;

the inner member being moveable between locked and unlocked positions;

an outer member defining a cavity and having a sidewall with an inner surface;

a portion of the inner member being disposed in the outer member cavity;

a plurality of resilient engaging fingers extending upwardly inside the outer member cavity and selectively lockably engaging the inner member to lock the device;

a plurality of strengthening fingers extending upwardly inside the outer member cavity and abutting the inner surface of the outer member sidewall; and

a non-rotatable member and a rotatable member rotatably mounted on the non-rotatable member for unlocking the device when the rotatable member is rotated; and

wherein the non-rotatable member is seated atop the strengthening fingers within the outer member cavity.

35. The device of claim 34 wherein the non-rotatable member engages the outer member to prevent rotation of the non-rotatable member.

36. A method comprising the steps of:

providing a bottle security device comprising an inner member adapted to inner fit around at least a portion of a neck of a bottle;

wherein the member includes a plurality of downwardly extending locking fingers;

the inner member being moveable between locked and unlocked positions;

an outer member defining a cavity;

a portion of the inner member being disposed in the cavity;

a plurality of resilient fingers extending upwardly inside the outer member cavity and selectively lockably engaging the inner member;

wherein each locking finger has a portion disposed between the plurality of upwardly extending resilient fingers; and

a rotatable member; and

forcing the resilient fingers to move radially to unlock the inner member from the resilient fingers by rotating the rotatable member.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of providing includes the step of providing a bottle security device comprising an intermediate member comprising the plurality of resilient fingers.

38. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of forcing the fingers to move radially includes the step of moving a first end of each finger radially while a second end opposed to the first end remains substantially in place.

39. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of forcing the fingers to move radially includes the step of flexing each finger radially.

40. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of providing includes the step of providing a bottle security device comprising a plurality of resilient fingers extending upwardly inside the outer member cavity from adjacent a lower end of the outer member and selectively lockably engaging the inner member.

41. A method comprising the steps of:

providing a bottle security device comprising an inner member adapted to fit around at least a portion of a neck of a bottle;

the inner member being moveable between locked and unlocked positions;

an outer member defining a cavity;

a portion of the inner member being disposed in the cavity;

a plurality of resilient fingers extending upwardly inside the outer member cavity and selectively lockably engaging the inner member; and

a rotatable member; and

forcing the fingers to move radially to unlock the inner member from the fingers by rotating the rotatable member; and

wherein the step of forcing the fingers to move radially includes the step of applying a force to rotate the rotatable member from a non-rotated position to a rotated position; and

further including the step of removing the force to automatically return the rotatable member to the non-rotated position.