EP0879179B1 - Cork for closing a bottle containing a effervescent liquid - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device forming a plug for a bottle that contains an effervescent liquid such as champagne; it also relates to the method of implementing this device for corking and uncorking the bottle.

Traditionally, bottles which contain an effervescent liquid such as champagne, and more generally gaseous liquids, are closed with cork or plastic caps. These caps consist of a head which comes to bear on the neck of the bottle and this head is extended by a body of generally cylindrical or slightly frustoconical shape which is integrated in said neck. These stoppers are generally locked on the neck by a metal wire cap accompanied by an equally metallic capsule.
Before consumption, the metal wire prevents untimely uncorking of the bottles due to the presence of internal gases under pressure. To allow consumption, this metal wire is removed manually and the pressurized gases participate directly in unblocking by promoting the ejection of the plug.

This uncorking operation often requires significant effort on the part of the user to initiate the opening. Another disadvantage lies in the fact that during opening, it happens that the pressurized liquids spout out of control, thus causing a loss of product which can sometimes go up to a third of the volume of the bottle.
In addition, the untimely ejection of the stopper can constitute a danger for equipment or people who are located in the immediate environment of the bottle.

In addition to these traditional opening means, document FR-A-659,495 describes a plug provided with safety means in the form of an axial valve, allowing the controlled or automatic evacuation of part or all of the gases contained. in the bottle, if the internal pressure reaches an abnormal or even dangerous value.
The object of this document simply relates to a safety system aimed at preventing the presence of excessive pressure in the bottle. When unclogging, we find the same problems as those mentioned above, or the extraction of the plug is difficult if all of the gases have been removed.

Document DE-B-1 157 101 also discloses a closure device consisting of a plug associated with an axial piston provided with an operating head and a thickened end. The piston can be placed either in an inactive position giving the cap body a small diameter to facilitate its positioning and its removal from the neck, or in an active closed position, in which the cap body has a larger diameter, so as to ensure a tight closure of the bottle.
This type of cap cannot be suitable for ensuring perfect opening security in the context of bottles containing an effervescent liquid.

The present invention provides a device in the form of a cap making it possible to facilitate and secure the opening of bottles containing an effervescent liquid such as champagne.
This device comprises a cork stopper consisting of a head which is intended to come to bear on the neck of the bottle, which head is extended by a body of generally cylindrical or slightly frustoconical shape intended to be integrated into said neck, and which cap includes means capable of allowing the evacuation of gases which are compressed above the conditioned liquid. According to the invention, this device comprises means which make it possible to vary the diameter of the cap body, over at least part of its height, to make it take either an inactive position in which said cap body has a small diameter. to facilitate its positioning on the neck of the bottle and to facilitate its removal from said neck after evacuation of the compressed gases above the conditioned liquid, an active position in which said cap body has a larger diameter ensuring a hermetic closure from the bottle.

The cap body is enlarged during the bottling phase and it is sided by the user, to facilitate unclogging. On the other hand, the user ensures himself the evacuation of the gases which are compressed above liquid packaged before separating the cap with the bottle neck.

Still according to the invention, the means which make it possible to vary the diameter of the cap body consist of an internal device integrated in a housing arranged in said plug body. This device is suitable for occupying - an inactive position in which the cap body diameter is less than the inside diameter of the neck and - an active position in which the diameter of the plug body is magnified to obtain a hermetic seal in the neck of the bottle. This internal device is adapted to allow application of regular pressure on at least one circular line of the face internal of the reception housing.

The means which make it possible to vary the diameter of the plug body consist, according to a first embodiment, of a bladder provided with inflation and deflation means, preferably in the form of valve (s).
A single valve can be used for both inflating and deflating the bladder; it is also possible to use a first valve for inflation and a second valve for deflation. The inflation valve is activated when the bottle is closed. The deflation valve is provided with actuating means which are arranged at the level of the cap head and which are intended to be handled by the user, when uncorking the bottle.

According to another embodiment, the means which make it possible to vary the diameter of the cap body consist of a device wedge shape whose longitudinal displacement ensures the spacing or constriction of fins which are distributed over the periphery of the housing of reception.

According to a third embodiment, these means adapted to modify the diameter of the plug body consist of an elastically deformable device, actuated by a piston.
In this context and according to a preferred characteristic, at least one elastic stud in the form of a cylinder is provided, threaded on an axis provided with a retaining base. This or these cylindrical studs are subjected to the action of a piston which slides on said axis and which is provided with a removable lock for locking in the active compression position of said stud (s). This lock is arranged at the level of the cap head so that it can be deactivated by the user.

In a preferred embodiment, two cylindrical studs are threaded on the support axis, separated by a spacer.

According to a first embodiment, the means which allow the evacuation of compressed gases above the conditioned liquid are consist of a pipe arranged in the plug. This pipe makes the connection between the interior volume of the bottle and the outside; it includes removable sealing means, of the kind valve (s), provided with actuating means arranged at the level of the cap head.

According to another embodiment, these degassing means consist of a pipe which is arranged in the stopper and which makes the connection between the inside volume of the bottle and the outside, which pipe opens into the inside volume of the bottle, at or above the means which make it possible to vary the diameter of the cap body.
In this case, the internal gases are evacuated when the user performs the operation of reducing the diameter of the plug body.

The closure device according to the present invention preferably includes a metal wire to lock the stopper on the neck of the bottle, which cradle allows to realize the degassing operation without risk of seeing the plug jump.

a) à placer le bouchon sur le goulot de la bouteille, après conditionnement du liquide,

b) à mettre en oeuvre les moyens qui permettent de faire varier le diamètre du corps de bouchon, pour augmenter ce diamètre en vue d'obturer hermétiquement ladite bouteille,

c) à placer éventuellement le muselet métallique,

et pour le débouchage :

d) à mettre en oeuvre les moyens qui permettent de faire varier le diamètre du corps de bouchon pour diminuer ce diamètre,

e) à évacuer les gaz comprimés au-dessus du liquide conditionné, cette opération pouvant être réalisée avant, pendant ou après l'opération d),

f) à enlever le cas échéant le muselet métallique, avant d'ôter librement le bouchon.

The invention also relates to the method of corking and uncorking a bottle using the cork which has just been described. This process consists, for capping:

a) place the cap on the neck of the bottle, after conditioning the liquid,

b) using the means which make it possible to vary the diameter of the stopper body, in order to increase this diameter with a view to hermetically sealing said bottle,

c) possibly placing the metal muselet,

and for unblocking:

d) using the means which make it possible to vary the diameter of the plug body in order to reduce this diameter,

e) evacuating the compressed gases above the conditioned liquid, this operation being able to be carried out before, during or after operation d),

f) remove, if necessary, the metal wire cap, before removing the cap freely.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique d'un premier mode de réalisation possible du bouchon conforme à la présente invention, en coupe longitudinale ;
• la figure 2 montre la partie en liège du bouchon de la figure 1, en deux tronçons ;
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique qui montre de façon isolée le mécanisme interne qui permet de faire varier le diamètre du corps de bouchon et qui permet l'évacuation vers l'extérieur des gaz qui sont comprimés au-dessus du liquide conditionné ;
• la figure 4 illustre en plusieurs étapes le mode d'utilisation du dispositif conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 5 représente, en coupe longitudinale et de façon schématique, un second mode de réalisation possible du bouchon conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 6 représente, toujours en coupe longitudinale, un troisième mode de réalisation possible, avant obturation hermétique ;
• la figure 7 est une vue du mode de réalisation de la figure 6, en position d'obturation hermétique ;
• la figure 8 est une vue schématique qui illustre les moyens de mise en place du bouchon selon le mode de réalisation des figures 6 et 7.

However, the invention will be further illustrated, without being in any way limited, by the following description of various embodiments, given solely by way of examples and represented in the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic view of a first possible embodiment of the plug according to the present invention, in longitudinal section;
• Figure 2 shows the cork part of the cap of Figure 1, in two sections;
• Figure 3 is a schematic view which shows in isolation the internal mechanism which allows to vary the diameter of the cap body and which allows the evacuation to the outside of the gases which are compressed above the conditioned liquid;
• FIG. 4 illustrates in several stages the mode of use of the device according to the invention;
• Figure 5 shows, in longitudinal section and schematically, a second possible embodiment of the plug according to the invention;
• FIG. 6 represents, still in longitudinal section, a third possible embodiment, before hermetic sealing;
• Figure 7 is a view of the embodiment of Figure 6, in the sealed position;
• FIG. 8 is a schematic view which illustrates the means for fitting the plug according to the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7.

The different embodiments illustrated in the figures relate to a champagne bottle stopper, the structure of which general is made of cork and which is intended to be locked on the neck of the bottle by a metal muselet with a capsule or a upper cap. Other derived embodiments can be envisaged; through example, the wire cap and the metal cap can, in some cases may not be necessary.

The embodiment which is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 is consisting of a cork stopper 1 with an extended cylindrical head 2 by a cylindrical body 3 of smaller diameter. Head 2 has a diameter which is greater than that of the neck 4 of the bottle while the diameter of the body 3 is slightly lower than that of said neck 4. The part top of the stopper is made of agglomerated cork; the base of the body cylindrical 3 consists of two or three washers superimposed in natural cork.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the cap head 2 is cut transversely and a cylindrical housing 6 is arranged at inside the plug, in said head 2 and in the cylindrical body 3. This housing 6 allows the reception of an internal mechanism 8 which is adapted to increase and decrease the diameter of the cylindrical body 3, and to allow the evacuation of gases which are compressed inside the bottle, present between the conditioned liquid and the cap.

This internal mechanism 8 (Figures 1 and 3) consists of an inflatable bladder 10 which is disposed in the housing 6 so that it allows the application of pressure on the internal face thereof, on a at least part of the height of the cylindrical body 3. The pressure applied must preferably be regular on at least one circular line of said internal face to ensure a suitable hermetic sealing.
The inflatable bladder 10 is subjected to the action of a piston valve 13, operable from the outside by a pull tab 14 in the form of a textile or metal tongue. The valve 13 has an internal non-return type valve which allows the bladder 10 to be inflated by any suitable means; this valve also allows deflation of the bladder by a deactivation maneuver by means of the pull tab 14. On the other hand, a pipe 16 extends from the end of the head 2 to the base of the cylindrical body 3 This pipe 16 connects the interior volume of the bottle and the exterior; it comprises removable closure means, in the form of a piston valve 17, operable from the outside by the pull tab 18. The valve 17 is of the same type as the valve 13 which has just been described.

The plug head 2 has one or two orifices adapted for the passage of the drawbars 14 and 18: this or these orifices are arranged on the above or on the side of the cap head 2, depending on the positioning of the valves 13, 17 and their pull tab 14, 18.

The bladder 10 and the valves 13, 17 are carried by a core support 20. As shown in FIG. 3, this core 20 is consisting of a cylindrical piece 21 whose base 22 is extended by a axis 23 leading to a base 24. The inflatable bladder 10 has a shape general cylindrical; it is positioned around axis 23 and it is fixed at one of its ends to the base 22 and at its other end on the base 24. This bladder 10 can be made of any material suitable, such as latex or rubber for example. Its fixation on the base 22 and the base 24 can be produced by any technique ensuring a perfectly hermetic joint (bonding, crimping ...).

The cylindrical part 21 is pierced by a pipe 25 which extends from its upper face to the base 22, inside the bladder 10. The upper part of this pipe 25 receives the piston valve 13, secured by screwing for example.
On the other hand, the support core 20 is integrally traversed by the pipe 16 which extends from the upper face of the part 21 to the base 24 passing through the axis 23. Beyond the base 24, the line 16 is extended by a projecting cylindrical part 27 which is intended to be threaded through an orifice 28 arranged in the lower part of the plug body 3.

The upper part of the line 16 receives the piston valve 17, secured by screwing for example.

The support core 20 can be made in one piece by a plastic injection molding operation.

The cut in two parts of the cork, illustrated on the Figure 2, almost completely hide the mechanism internal 8. After inserting this mechanism 8 into port 6, the two parts of the plug are re-joined by gluing. Only the opening (s) passage of the zippers 14, 18 are visible.

After filling the bottle, plug 1 is integrated into the neck 4 in the traditional way. In this inactive position, the diameter of the plug body 3 is less than the diameter of the neck 4 ce which allows effortless positioning.

The bladder 10 is then inflated by means of the valve 13 and the diameter of the cylindrical body 3 increases regularly until the pressure applied to the internal wall of the neck is sufficient to obtain a hermetic seal.
In this active position, if the plug was not integrated in the neck, the diameter of the cylindrical body would be greater than that of said neck. This difference in diameter is absorbed by the pressure applied and by the elasticity of the cork.

Finally, the muselet 30 is placed with the upper capsule 31 so not to hinder access to the drawbars 14 and 18; the whole is covered a protective and decorative sheet, aluminum or other.

1) On ôte la feuille de protection,

2) On évacue les gaz comprimés entre le liquide conditionné et le bouchon, par une opération de traction sur la tirette 18 ; cette opération ouvre la canalisation 16, et les gaz sous pression s'échappent naturellement,

3) On enlève le muselet 30 et la capsule 31,

4) On actionne la tirette 14 pour dégonfler la vessie 10 et diminuer le diamètre du corps de bouchon 3, et enfin

5) On réalise l'opération de débouchage proprement dite consistant à enlever le bouchon, ceci sans aucun effort.

The bottle is opened, as illustrated in Figure 4.

1) We remove the protective sheet,

2) The compressed gases are discharged between the conditioned liquid and the stopper, by a pulling operation on the pull tab 18; this operation opens the pipe 16, and the pressurized gases escape naturally,

3) The wire 30 and the capsule 31 are removed,

4) The pull tab 14 is actuated to deflate the bladder 10 and reduce the diameter of the plug body 3, and finally

5) The actual uncorking operation is carried out which consists in removing the plug, this without any effort.

Of course, if the user wishes, he can completely open the bottle in a conventional manner, that is to say by "jumping" the cap after removal of the metal wire cap 30. In this case, the drawbars 14 and 18 are not used.

In a derivative embodiment, two valves are used different ways to operate the inflatable bladder. One of the valves is used for inflation, during the capping operation of the bottle; the other valve, fitted with the external pull, is used by the consumer when opening the bottle.

FIG. 5 illustrates a substantially different embodiment in which we find the cork 1 with its head 2 and its body cylindrical 3 housed in the neck 4 of the bottle. In this figure 5, the cap has been shown in the inactive shutter position, without the locking wire.

The internal mechanism 35 which makes it possible to vary the diameter of the plug body 3 consists of a wedge-shaped device 36 which actuates spacers in the form of radial fins 37. The corner 36 and the fins 37 are housed in a blind hole 38 which extends on the axis of the plug 1 and which opens into the upper part of the head 2.

The axial displacement of the corner 36 downward causes the spacing fins 37 and the increase in the diameter of the plug body 3. Its upward displacement causes the tightening of said fins 37 and reducing the diameter of the cap body. Hermetic sealing the plug is advantageously produced by mechanical means appropriate, moving corner 36 down and using a system locking device adapted to maintain this position, for example a lock in the shape of a needle or pin 39 inserted in an orifice 40 fitted in the plug head and in an orifice 41 fitted in the corner 36. The opening is done manually before removing the metal wire hood, by activating the pull tab 42 of the lock 39 and, if necessary, the zipper 43 from corner 36.

A degassing pipe connects the internal packaging volume to the outside.
This pipe can be associated with a valve operable by a pull from the outside, in a similar manner to the previous embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4. As shown in Figure 5, one can also provide a simple pipe 44, without shut-off valve, which opens into the interior volume of the bottle, above or at the level of the means 35 which make it possible to vary the diameter of the cap body. In this way, when the mechanism 35 is activated, the hermetic application of the plug body 3 against the neck 4 prevents the internal gases from escaping. On the other hand, when these means are deactivated and the diameter of the plug body 3 has been reduced to become less than the diameter of the neck 4, the compressed gases reach said orifice and they naturally escape towards the outside, even before remove the locking wire.
In fact, the muselet presses the head 2 of the plug against the upper part of the neck 4 and the annular leaktight seal 45 thus formed, arranged downstream, does not prevent the evacuation of the gases by the pipe 44.

In the embodiment shown, this pipe 44 extends in the plug body 3, under the head 2 and perpendicular to the axial orifice 38. It connects said orifice 38 to the internal packaging volume, upstream of the annular seal 45 , but downstream of the compression line or cylinder defined by the mechanism 35 against the internal wall of the neck.
The gases are evacuated through this pipe 44 and through the blind hole 38, on the periphery of the corner 36, when the latter is actuated.

To avoid the escape of internal gases during storage of the bottle, due to the possible porosity of the cork, we can provide line the internal opening 38 with a gas-tight material.

A third possible embodiment is illustrated in the figures 6 and 7 in which we find the cork stopper 1 with its head 2 and its cylindrical body 3.

FIG. 6 shows this embodiment in the inactive position, that is to say with minimum cap body diameter.

The head 2 and the cylindrical body 3 are pierced by an axial orifice blind 50 which extends from the end of the head 2 to for example the top of the last layer of natural cork. This orifice blind 50 has a generally cylindrical shape and it serves as a housing for a expander mechanism 51 in the form of an elastically device deformable, adapted to allow the diameter of the body to be varied plug over at least part of its height.

This mechanism 51 consists of an axis 52 provided with a base cylindrical 53 which comes to rest in the bottom of the housing 50. The axis 52 has a length shorter than that of the blind housing 50 and it is centered at inside of it. Two cylindrical pads 55 and 56 made of elastic material compressible, rubber type, are threaded on axis 52, separated by a rigid spacer 57. At rest, the rubber pads 55 and 56 have an external diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the orifice 50.

Above the upper stud 55 we notice the presence of a piston 58 of generally cylindrical shape, also threaded on the axis 52 and provided a through hole 59 slightly offset from its diameter.

The head 2 of the plug has a practically diametrical orifice 60, which crosses it right through, perpendicular to the axis of the orifice blind 50. At this orifice 60, the axis 52 has a groove peripheral 62. In its upper part, the axis 52 also has a other peripheral groove 63. The function of these two grooves 62 and 63 will be explained later.

On the other hand, a pipe 65 is arranged in the head of plug 2, from orifice 60 to the base of said head 2; this line 65 connects the exterior and the interior packaging volume.

The airtight sealing of the bottle is effected by actuating mechanically the piston 58 down to compress and deform the rubber pads 55 and 56. During this operation, the axis 52 is held in position to avoid deterioration of the lower part of the plug.

The compression operation of rubber pads 55 and 56 generates a pressure on the internal face of the orifice 50, which pressure increases the diameter of the cylindrical body 3 to press the outer wall of the latter against the inner face of the neck 4. This compression and airtight closure of the bottle are illustrated on the figure 7.

When the orifice 59 of the piston 58 comes opposite the orifice 60 of the cork head 2, a locking bolt 66 in the form of a pin is inserted or needle fitted with a pull tab or external tongue 67. The lock 66 passes through the body of the piston 58 passing through the groove 62 of the axis 52 to ensure effective blocking of the assembly. We thus obtain a mechanical blocking of the two expanded rubber pads 55 and 56.

The upper end of the orifice 50 can be closed off with a small cork capsule 68 and metal wire 69 which is suitable for lock the cap on the bottle neck can be positioned from classic way.

Uncorking the bottle is done by removing the lock 66 by pulling on the tongue 67. The rubber pads 55, 56 return to their "rest" position by their own elasticity and body cylindrical 3 decreases in diameter. During this operation, the gases tablets above the packaged liquid reach port 65 and they are discharged to the outside through the lateral opening 60 or through the blind opening central 50.

We can then remove the metal wire 69 without risk of ejection untimely cap.

Again, if necessary, the inner face of the blind hole 50 can be lined with gas-tight material to avoid the risk of degassing due to possible porosity of the cork used.

Note that the groove 62 can be replaced by an orifice through disposed on the diameter of the axis 52. In this case, the orifice 60 is provided on the diameter of the plug head and the orifice 58 is arranged on the diameter of the piston 58.

Note also that the combination of the two elastic pads 55 and 56 separated by a spacer 57 can be replaced by a stud single rubber or by a superposition of several studs.

FIG. 8 shows a possible embodiment of the mechanical device allowing the hermetic sealing by compression of the elastic pads 55 and 56.
This device consists of a holding jaw 70 whose lower hooks 71 are intended to be inserted into the peripheral groove 63 of the axis 52. The jaw 70 is actuated elastically by a slide 72 whose end is intended to come to apply pressure on the piston 58 in order to ensure the compression of the pads 55 and 56. The slide 72 is driven by actuating cylinders 73; during its downward movement to compress the studs 55 and 56, it is supported on a cutaway 74 arranged on the jaws 70 so as to cause the tightening of the hooks 71 in the groove 63. In this way, the jaws 70 maintain constantly axis 52 during the compression operation of the elastically deformable mechanism.
Once the lock has been placed in the active blocking position, manually or by suitable mechanical means, the slide 72 is brought back to the high position and the jaws 70 move apart by their own elasticity, to release the central axis 52.

The various embodiments which have just been described allow the consumer to choose the method of uncorking the bottle: it is possible to use the conventional method of uncorking which consists in "blowing up" the cork after having removed the metal wire cap; in this case, the particular means which make it possible to trim the diameter of the plug body and the degassing means are not used. One can also implement the secure and effortless method as described above using the original technical means of the plug.
Of course, this type of stopper can be applied for other types of liquids than champagne. It can fulfill an effective sealing role for all types of bottles containing sparkling wines, beers, waters, etc.

Claims (13)

1. A device in the form of a cork for a bottle containing an effervescent liquid such as champagne, whereas the said cork (1), consists of a head (2) intended for resting on the neck (4) of the bottle, which head (2) is extended by a body (3) more or less cylindrical in shape or slightly truncated for integration in the said neck (4), and the said cork (1) comprises means for allowing evacuation of the gases that are compressed above the packaged liquid, characterised in that it comprises means to vary the diameter of the body of the cork (3), over at least a portion of its height, so that it may adopt, either an inactive position in which the said cork body (3) has a small diameter thereby enabling easier positioning on the neck of the bottle and easier removal from the said neck after evacuation of the gases compressed above the packaged liquid, or an active position in which the said cork body (3) has a greater diameter ensuring hermetic sealing of the bottle.
2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the means enabling to vary the diameter of the cork body (3) consist of an internal device (8, 35, 51) integrated in a housing (6, 38, 50) provided in the said cork body (3), which internal device (8, 35, 51) is formed to adopt - an inactive position in which the diameter of the cork body (3) is smaller than the inside diameter of the neck (4) of the bottle and - an active position in which the diameter of the cork body (3) is increased to provide hermetic sealing in the neck (4) of the bottle.
3. A device according to claim 2, characterised in that it comprises an internal device (8, 35, 51) that is formed to enable application of regular pressure over at least a circular line of the internal face of the reception housing (6, 38, 50).
4. A device according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterised in that the means that enable to vary the diameter of the cork body (3) consist of a bladder (8) fitted with inflating and deflating means (13, 25).
5. A device according to claim 4, characterised in that it comprises one or several valves (13) to inflate and to deflate the bladder (8), whereas the deflating valve (13) is fitted with actuating means (14) arranged at the cork head (2).
6. A device according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterised in that the means that enable to vary the diameter of the cork body (3) consist of a wedge-shaped device (36) whose longitudinal displacement enables to bring fins (37) distributed on the periphery of the reception housing (38) apart or closer.
7. A device according to any one the claims 2 or 3, characterised in that the means that enable to vary the diameter of the cork body (3) consist of an elastically liable to be modified in shape device (55, 56), actuated by a piston (58).
8. A device according to claim 7, characterised in that it comprises at least one elastic pin (55, 56) in the form of a cylinder inserted onto an axle (52) fitted with a retaining base (53), which cylindrical pin (55, 56) is subject to the action of a piston (58) that slides on the said axle (52) and that is fitted with a removable lock (66) that is arranged at the cork head (2) and that can be released by the user.
9. A device according to claim 8, characterised in that it comprises two cylindrical pins (55 and 56) inserted onto the supporting axle (52) and separated by a spacer (57).
10. A device according to any one of claims 1 td 9, characterised in that the means enabling evacuation of the gases that are compressed above the packaged liquid consist of a ductwork (16) provided in the cork (1), which ductwork (16) connects the internal volume of the bottle and the outside, and which ductwork (16) comprises removable clogging means, such as a valve (17), fitted with actuating means (18) arranged at the cork head (2).
11. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the means enabling evacuation of the gases that are compressed above the packaged liquid, consist of a ductwork (40, 65) provided in the cork (1), and which connects the internal volume of the bottle and the outside, which ductwork (40, 65) leads to the internal volume of the bottle, at or above the means (35, 51) that enable to vary the diameter of the cork body (3).
12. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that it comprises a snout (30, 69) to lock the cork on the neck of the bottle, which snout enables degassing without ejecting the cork.
13. A process for corking and uncorking a bottle containing an effervescent liquid such as champagne, using a device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that it consists, for corking, in the steps of:

    a) putting the cork on the neck of the bottle, after packaging of the liquid,

    b) implementing the means that enable to vary the diameter of the cork body, to increase this diameter with a view to seal the bottle hermetically,

    c) putting the locking snout if required,

    and for uncorking, in the steps of:

    d) implementing the means that enable to vary the diameter of the cork body, to reduce this diameter,

    e) evacuating the gases compressed above the packaged liquid, whereas this operation can be performed before, during or after operation d),

    f) removing if required the locking snout before uncorking freely.

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