Container and attachments therefor

Abstract

A glass neck for attachment to a container of a material other than glass is described. The glass neck comprises a wall defining a passageway having a first end and a second end, container-attachment means being provided at the first end and the second end defining a glass rim.

Claims

1. A glass neck for attachment to a container of a material comprising plastic or aluminum, said container comprising a neck of the material, the glass neck being of frusto-conical form and comprising a wall defining a passageway through the glass neck having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the passageway is configured so that the neck of the material of the container may be inserted into the passageway and the passageway engages the neck of the material of the container by a friction fit, and the second end defining a glass rim.

2. The glass neck according to claim 1, wherein the glass neck further comprises a material disposed within the passageway at the first end for providing the friction fit.

3. The glass neck according to claim 1, wherein the friction fit is facilitated by a groove or detent at the first end of the passageway.

4. The glass neck according to claim 1, wherein the second end is formed to comprise a closure-attachment means.

5. The glass neck according to claim 4, wherein the closure-attachment means comprises an external screw thread for engaging an internally screw-threaded cap.

6. The glass neck according to claim 4, wherein the closure-attachment means comprises an external lip or flange for receiving a crown cork.

7. The glass neck according to claim 1, wherein the glass neck includes closure means to prevent a liquid contained in the container from escaping through the passageway when the glass neck is attached to the container.

8. The glass neck according to claim 7, wherein the closure means is automatic.

9. The glass neck according to claim 7, wherein the closure means is manual.

10. The glass neck according to claim 7, wherein, the closure means comprises a first portion and a second portion.

11. The glass neck according to claim 10 wherein the closure means is actuable by attaching the first portion to the second portion.

12. The glass neck according to claim 10, wherein the closure means is actuable by removing the first portion from the second portion.

13. A multi-part container comprising: a body of a material comprising plastic or aluminum, the body comprising a storage part including a reservoir for a liquid and a neck attachment portion; and a glass neck of generally frusto-conical form defining an aperture through which the liquid is accessed, wherein the glass neck is attached to the body such that the neck attachment portion of the body that is made of the material comprising plastic or aluminum is disposed within the aperture of the glass neck.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the body made of the material comprising plastic or aluminum defines a gripping section, wherein the gripping section is provided to permit the container to be gripped in a preferred location.

15. The container of claim 13, wherein the body made of the material comprising plastic or aluminum defines stiffening means defined by an internal body surface to give the body made of the material comprising plastic or aluminum a tactile rigidity, wherein the stiffening means are insulated, and wherein the stiffening means are adapted to be chilled.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bottle and attachment neck embodying the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the bottle and attachment neck of FIG. 1; and

(4) FIGS. 3-5 are cross-sectional views of further embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(5) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a container 10 comprises a plastic body 12 and a glass neck 14. The plastic body 12 in this embodiment is a normal plastic bottle made from PET, HDPE or any other suitable material. The plastic body 12 includes a reservoir 13 for storing liquid, such as a beverage. The plastic body 12 includes a plastic neck portion 16.

(6) One end of the plastic neck portion 16 is formed as a plastic external threaded portion 18 which surrounds an aperture 20 through which the contents of the plastic body 12 may be filled or drained.

(7) The glass neck 14 comprises a generally cylindrical body portion 22. A bottle attachment means 24 is provided at a first end 26 of the glass neck 14. The bottle attachment means, in this embodiment, comprises an internal threaded portion 28 which is co-operable with the plastic external threaded portion 18.

(8) A closure attachment means 30 is provided at a second end 32 of the glass neck 14. The closure attachment means 30 comprises an external threaded portion 34 which is co-operable with a closure such as a cap 36 (FIG. 2) having a suitable internal thread.

(9) The container 10 is formed by screwing the glass neck 14 onto the plastic body 12. This operation may be carried out mechanically in a suitable bottling which also fills the container with a suitable liquid such as a beverage. Alternatively, this operation may be carried out on an ad hoc basis, such as a bartender screwing the glass neck 14 onto the plastic body 12 when a patron orders a beverage.

(10) FIGS. 3 to 5 show modifications of the foregoing embodiment. Like parts are denoted by like reference numerals.

(11) In FIG. 3, the plastic neck portion 16 is formed with an annular detent 38 which engages in a snap-fit manner with an internal groove 40 in the glass neck 14. The closure attachment means is in the form of a rim 42 for receiving a crown cork 44.

(12) FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which the plastic neck portion 16 has a frusto-conical form and the glass neck 14 has a matching form and engages by a friction fit. FIG. 4 also illustrates the option of the closure attachment means being omitted, the upper end of the glass neck 14 forming a simple rim; this may be suitable for ad hoc use at the point of consumption.

(13) FIG. 5 shows an arrangement in which a sleeve 46 of rubber or other elastomeric material is interposed between the plastic neck portion 16 and the glass neck 14 to provide frictional engagement. The sleeve 46 could be replaced by adhesive.

(14) Although a container in the form of a plastic bottle is preferred, the invention may be applied to other forms of container, for example a cardboard or cardboard/foil composite carton, a foil sachet, or a plastic bladder.

(15) Other modifications to the foregoing embodiments may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.