Closure with concertina element and processing means
The invention provides in a first aspect a closure ( 10 ) for a passageway such as a bottleneck. The closure ( 10 ) has a concertina element ( 16 ). When the concertina element ( 16 ) is released, the closure ( 10 ) can be removed from the passageway. The concertina element ( 16 ) may have folds ( 18 ), including compressible folds, may be in the form of a spiral. In a further aspect, the invention provides a second aspect a closure ( 110 ), which has a processing ( 132 ). The processing ( 132 ) may include a computer chip ( 134 ), is adapted to receive or convey various types of data, such as characteristics of the contents of the container closed by the closure ( 10 ). The first and second aspects may be combined.
1. A closure for a passageway having one or more walls and a mouth defined by the wall or walls, the closure including:
an upper end adapted in use to be located at the mouth;
a base adapted in use to be located within the wall or walls remote from the mouth; and
a concertina element having internal folds and external folds, the concertina element being adapted to retain the closure in use in place between the wall or walls and being capable of being unfolded to allow the closure to be removed from the wall or walls, characterised in that the base is closed.
2. The closure of claim 1 , wherein the passageway is a bottle neck.
3. The closure of claim 1 , wherein the passageway is of regular cross-section.
4. The closure of claim 1 , wherein the wall or walls are ribbed, threaded or smooth.
5. The closure of claim 1 , wherein the closure seals the mouth completely in situ.
6. The closure of claim 5 , wherein the closure seals the mouth and the surrounding wall or walls.
7. The closure of claim 1 , wherein the closure is retained in place by friction.
8. The closure of claim 1 , wherein the external folds are adapted to bear against the wall or walls of the passageway when the closure is in use.
9. The closure of claim 8 , which includes a collapsible core adapted to contact the internal folds of the concertina element and cause the external folds to bear against the wall or walls of the passageway when the closure is in use.
10. The closure of claim 9 , wherein the core is inflatable.
11. The closure of claim 8 , which includes means adapted to hold the upper end in fixed relationship to the closed base.
12. The closure of claim 11 , wherein the means comprise a tension cord linking the upper end with the closed base.
13. The closure of claim 8 , which includes an internal core adapted to contact at least some of the internal folds of the concertina element and cause the external folds to bear against the wall or walls of the passageway when the closure is in use.
14. The closure of claim 13 , wherein the internal core is made of cork.
15. The closure of claim 1 , wherein the concertina element is adapted to retain the closure in place by a locking element adapted to be unlocked by remote activation means to allow the closure to be removed from the wall or walls.
16. The closure of claim 15 , wherein the locking element is adapted to be unlocked by application of a magnetic field.
17. The closure of claim 1 , which includes an intermediate wall or walls, the external folds of the concertina element being adapted in use to bear against the intermediate wall or walls, which are adapted in use to bear against the wall or walls of the passageway.
18. The closure of claim 1 or 17 , wherein the concertina element has folds forming a spiral.
19. The closure of claim 1 or 17 , wherein the concertina element is adapted to be released by manipulation of a cord, ribbon or flange attached to the closure.
20. The closure of claim 1 or 17 , wherein the closure includes means for sensing at least one characteristic of a nearby substance.
21. The closure of claim 20 , wherein the or each characteristic is chosen from the group comprising: temperature, pressure, chemical composition, presence of a gas and absence of a gas.
22. The closure of claim 20 , wherein the means for sensing is chosen from the group comprising: a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor and a chemical sensor.
23. A closure as claimed in claim 20 , which includes means for indicating information received from the sensor.
24. The closure of claim 23 , wherein the indicating means is a light or an information display.
25. The closure of claim 20 , which further includes a display showing price or period remaining before a chosen deadline.
26. The closure of claim 25 , wherein the display is adapted to be changed by an external signal.
27. The closure of claim 1 or 17 , wherein the closure includes means for sensing light or movement.